NREL’s groundbreaking ULIS power module promises to slash energy waste and boost American innovation, delivering compact power solutions that could supercharge NASA’s missions and cut costs for taxpayers tired of inefficient government spending.
Story Highlights
- NREL engineers developed ULIS, a silicon-carbide power module with five times the energy density of prior designs, reducing space, costs, and wasted energy.
- Flat octagonal design replaces outdated stacked semiconductors, enabling superior efficiency for AI data centers, manufacturing, and aerospace.
- Entirely in-house effort at NREL positions U.S. labs as leaders in power electronics, minimizing reliance on foreign tech amid global energy demands.
- Potential to transform NASA’s small satellite programs like Aspera and SunRISE with lightweight, high-performance power systems.
- Ready for commercialization, ULIS supports military, grid operators, and microreactors, advancing energy independence under President Trump’s pro-innovation agenda.
ULIS Breakthrough Details
Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced ULIS on January 19, 2026. This silicon-carbide-based smart power module achieves five times the energy density of earlier designs. It occupies less space, operates at lower costs, and generates far less wasted energy. The flat, octagonal disk structure replaces traditional stacked semiconductor boxes. NREL developed it entirely in-house, avoiding external dependencies that plagued past projects.[3]
Overcoming Traditional Design Limits
Power modules regulate electricity flow between systems, but conventional box-like packages with stacked semiconductors created bottlenecks. Global demands from AI data centers, advanced manufacturing, and electrified transport exposed these flaws. NREL researchers addressed rapid switching “chokepoints” through flux cancellation architecture designed by Shuofeng Zhao. This innovation minimizes magnetic interference. Sarwar Islam proposed the flattened concept and a pending low-latency wireless protocol.[3]
Key Innovators and Technical Advances
Faisal Khan, chief power electronics researcher, leads the effort. He calls ULIS a “true breakthrough” and “future-proofed” for affordable, efficient, compact converters. Joshua Major developed in-house fabrication methods using lab tools only, easing manufacturing scalability. The Lego-like modular design with wireless controls shifts from hardwired systems. This enables flexible use from servers to aircraft, demonstrating American engineering prowess.[3]
ULIS transitions from complex 3D prototypes like flower-like and hollow cylinder shapes to a simplified flat structure. This solves electromagnetic challenges while maintaining manufacturability. Khan emphasizes its organic in-house development at NREL, ready for real-world demonstrations.[3]
Applications for NASA and National Security
ULIS aligns with NASA’s push for compact tech in small satellite missions. The Aspera cubesat launches in Q1 2026, while SunRISE advances testing. Lighter power modules enable longer flight ranges, higher payloads, and efficient space research. Aerospace and defense sectors gain compact solutions for next-generation aircraft and military vehicles. This bolsters U.S. leadership without wasteful globalist dependencies.[1][2][3]
Data center operators benefit from urgent efficiency gains amid AI surges. Electrical grid operators see reduced transmission losses. Microreactor developers access advanced power management. Long-term, ULIS accelerates electrified transport, cuts global energy waste, and supports distributed systems. Energy consumers enjoy lower costs, aligning with conservative priorities for fiscal responsibility and innovation.[3]
Sources:
NASA picks Rocket Lab to launch shoebox-sized Aspera space telescope in 2026
NASA’s SunRISE smallsats ace tests, moving closer to launch
NREL’s Ultra-Low Inductance Smart Power Module (ULIS) Breakthrough
