ir. M. Alimawi (Madhat)

Wide band gap (WBG) power semiconductors allow for realizing power converters with ultra-high efficiency because of their ability to operate at very high switching frequencies. Such high efficiencies are particularly important in fields like electric transportation and renewable energy generation, where they save a considerable amount of energy. This PhD study will focus on realisation of an ultra-efficient power converter for application in the transport or renewable energy sector, with particular focus on understanding the (high-frequency) loss mechanisms in the converter. To this end, the loss mechanisms of the critical components in the converter will be modelled (capacitors, transformers, SiC/GaN switches, …), and these model results will be confirmed via extensive measurements. An important overall aim of the PhD study is to gain new insight in loss mechanisms of modern WBG power electronics, which can be applied in evaluating and comparing losses of the power electronics solutions developed in the UT power electronics group and by industry partners in the PowerizeD project.

Since electrical loss evaluation methods reach their accuracy limits for ultra-efficient power converters, a sensitive, fast calorimeter will be developed based on a novel measurement principle. The new method allows to precisely determine the loss performance of high-efficiency power electronics. The enhanced performance of the calorimeter will be proved by comparison against state-of-the-art electrical loss measurements.

• Electrical Engineering

Organisations

• Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS), Power Electronics (PE)