Patrick M. Shea Jr.
Electrical engineering
Hometown: Red House, Virginia, United States
Graduation date: Spring 2024
Additional details: First-generation college student, Transfer student
FURI | Spring 2024
Maximize Solar Power Using Solar Cell Reconfiguration Circuits
Can solar power be more efficiently extracted from a reconfigurable array by minimizing the number of switches, and allowing for maximum configuration flexibility? This research motivation stems from spacecraft solar systems in which array performance can degrade from 20% to 50% over a 15-year mission. This research seeks to bypass damaged cells by reconfiguring the array to allow for maximum power at the end-of-life for spacecraft systems and allow a use for currently wasted energy at the beginning of life. A similar approach can be made to bypass or reconfigure cells affected by shading on Earth and potentially improve output efficiency by 30%.
Mentor: Jennifer Kitchen
It’s hip to be square.
Students presenting projects at the Fulton Forge Student Research Expo are encouraged to download this personal QR code and include it within your poster. This allows expo attendees to explore more about your project and about you in the future.
Right click the image to save it to your computer.
Featured project | Spring 2024
Electrical engineering senior Patrick Shea Jr. is researching how to increase solar power output for solar modules in space and on Earth in a FURI project with faculty mentor Jennifer Kitchen, an associate professor of electrical engineering. His work in creating reconfigurable solar arrays helps both in shady conditions and as the solar cells age and degrade. Shea started his engineering journey with ASU Online while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force as an electrical and environmental systems aircraft specialist. There found a passion for electrical engineering and learned practical applications of engineering systems. Now finishing his bachelor’s degree on the Tempe campus, Shea is involved in research and student organization leadership.
What made you want to get involved in FURI?
I signed up for FURI because I was curious about pursuing a career as a researcher. I saw the program as a way to get a jump-start on research to prepare me for a master’s degree program.
Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I chose my project because I enjoy working with renewable energy, system design and improving the efficiency of integrated circuit concepts. In addition, I get to keep improving on skills needed to be a successful engineer in my field of study.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
My research will help the world increase energy extracted from solar modules by up to 30% during shading conditions. This work can also help to improve energy efficiency in modules with broken or damaged cells. In addition, other research has shown that it may be possible to alter the array configuration to maximize the power extracted from the module. Lastly, it can provide agency to transform or adjust parameters like voltage and current in a discrete manner for use in different applications.
Did you have a particular “aha!” moment during your project?
In my experience with FURI, the “aha!” moments just keep coming. Every time I put effort into my project, I learn something and find new and exciting topics to explore. Most of my “aha!” moments have been rewards for diligent work and opportunities to expand the project.
Have there been any surprises in your research?
I had the opportunity to present my research to U.S. Senator Mark Kelly in support of ASU’s Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub work. Other awesome surprises can happen when your research results lead to opportunities to publish papers on the work.
How do you see this experience helping with your career/advanced degree goals?
My FURI experience has been an awesome opportunity for me to help jump-start my career toward my research goals. I am learning how to turn my work into research papers that I can submit to journals as an undergraduate. These papers will aid me on my journey to become a researcher. Lastly, I now have a plan and a project to continue my work as I pursue my dream of completing master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
The FURI program is a great way to experiment with a career choice you might not have considered or are reluctant to try. It’s a safe space to see if research is a good fit for your future career. In addition, it’s an opportunity to work on your own project and earn some money. Lastly, if you want to seek a career in which you have the agency to choose your own projects, you can start to work on things you enjoy studying. Research is the path I suggest students look at to grow the skills needed to be successful.
