Wide-scale adoption and projected growth of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitate research and development of power electronic converters to achieve high power, low-cost, and reliable charging solutions for the EV battery. This paper presents a comprehensive review of EV off-board chargers that consist of acdc and dc-dc power stages from the power network to the EV battery. Although EV chargers are categorized into two types, namely, on-board and off-board chargers, it is essential to utilize off-board chargers for dc fast and ultra-fast charging so that volume and weight of EV can be reduced significantly. Here, we discuss the state-of-the-art topologies and control methods of both ac-dc and dc-dc power stages for off-board chargers, focusing on technical details, ongoing progress, and challenges. In addition, most of the recent multiport EV chargers integrating PV, energy storage, EV, and grid are presented. Moreover, comparative analysis has been carried out for the topologies and the control schemes of ac-dc rectifiers, dc-dc converters, and multiport converters in terms of architecture, power and voltage levels, efficiency, bidirectionality, control variables, advantages, and disadvantages which can be used as a guideline for future research directions in EV charging solutions.INDEX TERMS Charging stations, converter control, converter topologies, DC fast chargers, electric vehicle (EV), EV fast chargers, multilevel AC-DC converter, multiport converter, off-board charger.

The action of Zirconium (Zr) on biological systems presents an enigma. It is ubiquitous, being present in nature in amounts higher than most trace elements. It is taken up by plants from soil and water and accumulated in certain tissues. The entry into animal systems in vivo is related to the mode of exposure and the concentration in the surrounding environment. Retention is initially in soft tissues and then slowly in the bone. The metal is able to cross the blood brain-barrier and is deposited in the brain and the placental barrier to enter milk. The daily human uptake has been known to be as high as 125 mg. The level of toxicity has been found to be moderately low, both in histological and cytological studies. The toxic effects induced by very high concentrations are nonspecific in nature. Despite the presence and retention in relatively high quantities in biological systems, Zr has not yet been associated with any specific metabolic function. Very little information is available about its interaction with the compounds of the genetical systems, such as nucleic acids. Apparently, the metal is neither an essential nor toxic element in the conventional sense. However, the increasing exposure to this element through its increasing use in new materials and following radioactive fallout, has increased the importance of the study of its effects on living organisms. The tetravalent nature of the ionic state and the high stability of the compounds formed are important factors that need to be considered, as also the accumulation of this element in the brain, reminiscent of the relationship between Al3+ and Alzheimer's disease.

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