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Welcome to Power Devices and Systems Group

The Power Devices and Systems Group of IMB-CNM was established in 1985, has developed his research continuously since then and currently consists of 20 people.

The Group has been considered and financed as a Consolidated Research Group by the Generalitat de Catalunya (2021-SGR-00496) in all calls for these grants since its creation (from 2000 to date).

 


Its activity focuses on the design, fabrication, characterization and integration of power semiconductor devices, optimized for developing reliable and energy efficient converters and electronic systems, operating even in harsh environments (high temperature, radioactive environments, etc.).

 

The devices developed by the group on different semiconductors (Si, SiC, GaN, diamond), are fabricated in the Clean Room of the IMB-CNM and cover various application fields (traction, protection, high frequency, space, high energy, etc.).

The research work of the Group also aims to transfer the developed technology to national and international industry sector. The Group has three main research lines:

    * Silicon Power Devices
    * Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Devices
    * Power Systems Integration and Reliability.


IMB-CNM through its Power Devices and Systems Group (PDS) is part of the following platfoms:

 

  • FUTURED - Plataforma Tecnológica Española de Redes Eléctricas as a research center:

  • XRE4S - R+D+I Network Energy for Society as research center:

Recent Publications

Physics-based Strategies for Fast TDDB Testing & Lifetime Estimation in SiC Power MOSFETs

 

O. Aviñó-Salvadó, C. Buttay, F. Bonet, C. Raynaud, P. Bevilacqua, J. Rebollo, H. Morel, X. Perpiñà

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics

To expedite testing, Time-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB) analyses are conducted on commercial 4H-SiC MOSFETs at high gate-to-source voltages, under Fowler-Nordheim conduction only. However, as inferred, such conditions induce impact ionization-generated holes in the dielectric layer (SiO2), resulting in a state transition in the effective dipolar moment. This accelerates the SiO2 degradation leading to an overestimation of its intrinsic lifetime at typical VGS values for gate driving in power converters. To address this, a physics-based approach is proposed to design TDDB tests under such conditions and to correct the intrinsic lifetime prediction at nominal VGS values, shortening the testing time by up to 2 orders of magnitude. Thus, the proposed method is a well-suited candidate to be considered in SiC power device qualification standards, still under development.

DOI: 10.1109/TIE.2023.3281705


Carrier Concentration Analysis in 1.2 kV SiC Schottky Diodes Under Current Crowding

 

F. Bonet , O. Aviñó-Salvadó , Member, IEEE, M. Vellvehi , X. Jordà , P. Godignon , and X. Perpiñà

IEEE Electron Device Letters

Die-level current crowding phenomena are analyzed at the microsecond timescale with an internal IR-Laser Deflection set-up. To this end, the 4H-SiC plasmaoptical coefficient for the refractive index is reported for the first time. A SiC Schottky diode with an edge termination based on a junction termination extension is used as a test vehicle. Under biasing conditions, the edge termination starts a local bipolar conduction along the device active area  perimeter, leading to current crowding effects. Using refractive index measurements, a depth-resolved carrier profile is extracted and assessed using both, simulation and Free Carrier Absorption measurements.

DOI: 10.1109/LED.2022.3171112


Origin of the Large Negative Electrocaloric Effect in Antiferroelectric PbZrO3

P. Vales-Castro, R. Faye, M.Vellvehi, Y.Nouchokgwe, X. Perpiñà, J.M.Caicedo, X. Jordà, K. Roleder, D. Kajewski, A. Perez-Tomas, E. Defay, G. Catalan

Physical Review B

We have studied the electrocaloric response of the archetypal antiferroelectric PbZrO3 as a function of voltage and temperature in the vicinity of its antiferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition. Large electrocaloric effects of opposite signs, ranging from an electrocooling of −3.5 K to an electroheating of +5.5 K, were directly measured with an infrared camera. We show by calorimetric and electromechanical measurements that the large negative electrocaloric effect comes from an endothermic antiferroelectric-ferroelectric switching, in contrast to dipole destabilization of the antiparallel lattice, previously proposed as an explanation for the negative electrocaloric effect of antiferroelectrics.

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.103.054112


Local Thermal Resistance Extraction in Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits

M. Vellvehi, X. Perpiñà, J. León, O. Aviñó-Salvadó, C. Ferrer and X. Jordà

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics

The thermal resistance of a High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) forming part of a Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) is non-invasively extracted under real working conditions (electrical and thermal) by infrared thermal imaging. The HEMT thermal resistance considers the device local maximum temperature and dissipated power. An experimental approach to this end is currently not available, as the HEMTs thermal interaction does not allow extracting its individual heat generation. Thanks to thermal field confinement offered by heat source frequency modulation, the power dissipation in each device is inferred, making feasible its individual thermal resistance extraction. As a result, reasonable values of the local thermal resistance of each individual HEMT integrated in the MMIC (i.e., 57.8±3.4 °C/W and 24.8±1.4 °C/W) are obtained in agreement with studies on discrete devices available in the literature

DOI: 10.1109/TIE.2020.3040684 


Power module electronics in HEV/EV applications: New trends in wide ban-dgap semiconductor technologies and design aspects

 

A. Matallana, E. Ibarra, I. López, J. Andreu, J.I. Garate, X. Jordà, J. Rebollo

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

A large number of factors such as the increasingly stringent pollutant emission policies, fossil fuel scarcity and their price volatility have increased the interest towards the partial or total electrification of current vehicular technologies. These transition of the vehicle fleet into electric is being carried out progressively. In the last decades, several technological milestones have been achieved, which range from the development of basic components to the current integrated electric drives made of silicon (Si) based power modules. In this context, the automotive industry and political and social agents are forcing the current technology of electric drives to its limits. For example, the U.S Department of Energy’s goals for 2020 include the development of power converter technologies with power densities higher than 14.1 kW/kg and efficiencies greater than 98%. Additionally, target price of power converters has been set below $3.3/kW. Thus, these goals could be only achieved by using advanced semiconductor technologies. Wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, and, most notably, silicon carbide (SiC) based power electronic devices, have been proposed as the most promising alternative to Si devices due to their superior material properties. As the power module is one of the most significant component of the traction power converter, this work focuses on an in-deep review of the state of the art concerning such element, identifying the electrical requirements for the modules and the power conversion topologies that will best suit future drives. Additionally, current WBG technology is reviewed and, after a market analysis, the most suitable power semiconductor devices are highlighted. Finally, this work focuses on practical design aspects of the module, such as the layout of the module and optimum WBG based die parallelization, placement and Direct Bonded Copper (DBC) routing.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109264

 


 

CPT1C in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus is necessary for brown fat thermogenesis activation in obesity

R. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, C. Miralpeix, A. Fosch, M. Pozo, M. Calderón-Domínguez, X. Perpinyà, M. Vellvehí, M. López, L. Herrero, D. Serra and N. Casals.

Molecular Metabolism

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2018.10.010

 

Objective: Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C (CPT1C) is implicated in central regulation of energy homeostasis. Our aim was to investigate whether CPT1C in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) is involved in the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis in the early stages of diet-induced obesity.
Methods: CPT1C KO and wild type (WT) mice were exposed to short-term high-fat (HF) feeding or to intracerebroventricular leptin administration and BAT thermogenesis activation was evaluated. Body weight, adiposity, food intake, and leptinemia were also assayed.
Results: Under 7 days of HF diet, WT mice showed a maximum activation peak of BAT thermogenesis that counteracted obesity development, whereas this activation was impaired in CPT1C KO mice. KO animals evidenced higher body weight, adiposity, hyperleptinemia, ER stress, and disrupted hypothalamic leptin signaling. Leptin-induced BAT thermogenesis was abolished in KO mice. These results indicate an earlier onset leptin resistance in CPT1C KO mice. Since AMPK in the VMH is crucial in the regulation of BAT thermogenesis, we analyzed if CPT1C was a downstream factor of this pathway. Genetic inactivation of AMPK within the VMH was unable to induce BAT thermogenesis and body weight loss in KO mice, indicating that CPT1C is likely downstream AMPK in the central mechanism modulating thermogenesis within the VMH. Quite opposite, the expression of CPT1C in the VMH restored the phenotype.
Conclusion: CPT1C is necessary for the activation of BAT thermogenesis driven by leptin, HF diet exposure, and AMPK inhibition within the VMH. This study underscores the importance of CPT1C in the activation of BAT thermogenesis to counteract diet-induced obesity.

 


 

Short-Circuit Study of Medium Voltage GaN Cascodes, P-GaN HEMTs and MISHEMTs

 

M. Fernández, X. Perpiñá, J. Roig, M. Vellveh, F. Bauwens, M. tack and X. Jordà.

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 64 (11), pp. 9012-9022 (2017)

This paper studies by experimentation and physics-based simulation the Short-Circuit (SC) capability of several normally-off 600-650 V Gallium Nitride High-Electron-Mobility Transistors (GaN HEMTs): cascodes, p-GaN, and GaN Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor HEMTs (MISHEMTs). As a result, cascodes present the worst SC ruggedness. By contrast, p-GaN gate HEMTs and MISHEMTs provide a higher SC capability thanks to their strong drain current reduction. In addition, a valuable state-of-the-art about all commercially available technologies is also provided, which demonstrates that current GaN devices do not allow SC capability.

Link: doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2017.2719599


Thermal Management Strategies for Low and High Voltage Retrofit LED Lamp Drivers

 

X. Perpiñà, M. Vellvehi, R. J. Werkhoven,, J. Jakovenko, J. M. G. Kunen, P. Bancken, P. J. Bolt and X. Jordà

IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, early acces.

Several thermal management strategies for LED drivers designed for high lumen retrofit LED lamps are studied by simulation and experimentation means. Depending on the driver output, two scenarios are analyzed: Low Voltage-High Current (18V-620mA) and High Voltage-Low Current (110V-85mA). Experiments (infrared thermography and thermocouples) and multiscale simulation approaches are used to assist both the lamp and driver board thermal design, as well as the driver proper integration in the lighting system. As a result, a heatsink based on an Aluminum hollow cylinder with polymer axial fins is designed and evaluated. The heatsink assessement is carried out with an LED board, in which the LED junction temperature is modeled and extracted by monitoring the LED board backside temperature. Additional experimentation to better integrate the driver is performed aiming at reducing the contact thermal resistance between the driver and the heatsink and improving the heat removal in the driver housing by including a material with a high thermal conductivity (i.e., dry silica sand or magnesium oxide powder). The proposed solution reduces the LED junction temperature up to 18% with respect to a reference lamp, whereas both drivers depict working temperatures around or below 125°C, when a working temperature of 90°C is considered.

Link: doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2018.2853119


Advanced processing for mobility improvement in 4H-SiC MOSFETs: A review

 

M. Cabello, V. Soler, G. Rius, J. Montserrat, J. Rebollo and P. Godignon

Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing (2017)

This paper reviews advanced gate dielectric processes for SiC MOSFETs. The poor quality of the SiO2/SiC interface severely limits the value of the channel field-effect mobility, especially in 4H-SiC MOSFETs. Several strategies have been addressed to overcome this issue. Nitridation methods are effective in increasing the channel mobility and have been adopted by manufacturers for the first generations of commercial power devices. Gate oxide doping techniques have also been successfully implemented to further increase the channel mobility, although device stability is compromised. The use of high-k dielectrics is also analyzed, together with the impact of different crystal orientations on the channel mobility. Finally, the performance of SiC MOSFETs in harsh environments is also reviewed with special emphasis on high temperature operation.

Link: doi.org/10.1016/j.mssp.2017.10.030


 Thermal phase lag heterodyne infrared imaging for current tracking in radio frequency integrated circuits

 

X. Perpiñà, J. León, J. Altet, M. Vellvehi, F. Reverter, E. Barajas, and X. Jordà

Applied Physic Letters, 110, 094101 (2017)

With thermal phase lag measurements, current paths are tracked in a Class A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier at 2 GHz. The amplifier is heterodynally driven at 440MHz and 2 GHz, and its resulting thermal field was inspected, respectively, at 1013 and 113 Hz with an infrared lock-in thermography system. The phase lag maps evidence with a higher sensitivity than thermal amplitude measurements an input-output loop due to a substrate capacitive coupling. This limits the amplifier’s performance, raising the power consumption in certain components. Other information relative to local power consumption and amplifier operation is also inferred. This approach allows the local non-invasive testing of integrated systems regardless of their operating frequency.

Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4977175.

News & Events

Participation of the PDS Group in the CIPS 2024 conference
March, 2024

Last 12 - 14 March the members of the PDS Group Mariana Raya, Emma Solà and Xavier Jordà, participated in the 13th edition of the International Conference on Integrated Power Electronics Systems , CIPS 2024, held in Düsseldorf, Germany. We presented the contribution entitled "Estimation of thermo-mechanical Anand model parameters of die-attach materials for power electronics assemblies". This work was mainly developed by our former colleague Naüm Fusté, and it demonstrates that common die-shear test equipment can be used for identifying the numerical parameters of the visco-elastic Anand mechanical model of die-attach materials, used in multiphysics simulations of integrated power systems.

 


Invited IMB-CNM Talk: ePowered RACING - the electric competition
February, 2024

ePowered RACING is a team of 19 engineering students specializing in Mechanical, Electronic, and Electrical disciplines who work at the Barcelona School of Engineering (EEBE-UPC). They are passionate about both motorcycling and engineering, and they compete in the MotoStudent International Competition—a competition among university student teams from around the world to apply all the knowledge acquired during their university studies to a real project. They design, develop, and manufacture an authentic prototype of a racing motorcycle, which is evaluated and tested at the Motorland Aragón FIM Circuit. In recent years, the team has achieved historical rankings:5th in the world,2nd in Spain and 1st in Catalonia. Additionally, they have been ranked second in the world for both the best engineering design and the best industrial project.

The catalan student team, ePowered Racing, responsible for manufacturing an electric racing motorcycle, explained in depth various aspects of their latest prototype: the motor, the inverter, and some lithium cells.The Power Devices and Systems Group of IMB-CNM is one of the sponsors of the team. The talk is invited by the PDS group, and the introduction was given by Miquel Vellvehi, the group's head.


 


Successful Scientific Workshop on Power Devices at the EFICIENCE Industrial Chair
December, 2023

The industrial chair EFICIENCE hosted the highly successful scientific workshop SMIPPE in Tarbes (France), organized by Prof. Paul-Étienne Vidal from ENIT Tarbes. The event gathered leading experts and researchers to discuss advancements in power devices and related technologies. A highlight of the workshop was the insightful guest lecture by Researcher of PDS Group  Xavier Perpiñà, titled "Die-Level Electrothermal Studies and Reliability, Ruggedness & Failure Analysis in Power Devices." Perpiñà delved into crucial milestones and emerging trends in the local chip-level characterization of power devices, providing valuable insights into their reliability and failure analysis. The workshop served as a platform to unveil significant achievements within the EFICIENCE industrial chair framework. Safran and DeepConcept, leading companies in their respective fields, showcased groundbreaking contributions, reinforcing their international and French standing.
EFICIENCE is an industrial chair dedicated to advancing research and innovation in the field of power devices. Collaborating with leading experts, EFICIENCE aims to drive technological advancements and enhance the competitiveness of industries in the global market.

 

PDS Group participation in the EMPS 2023 Symposium
November, 2023

Emma Solà and Xavier Jordà from PDS Group particiapted in the Electronic Materials & Packaging in Space (EMPS) symposium held at ESTEC (ESA) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, from 21-23 November 2023. Emma Solà presented her work entitled:  High-Temperature Aging Tests of Silver Sintering Materials used as Die-attach Layers. Previously, Emma and Xavier also participated at the training course on PCB and electronic assembly on 20th November 2023. The symposium was organised by ESA’s Materials and Processes section in collaboration with the Components Technologies section.

 

Nit Europea de la Recerca 2023
September-October, 2023

Xavier Perpinyà and Oriol Aviño  from the Power Devices and Systems group, participated in the European Research Night 2023 initiative in series of presentations in high schools (X. Perpinyà) and in series of micro-talks (O. Aviñó). 

 


Presentation of the ePR03 electric-powered bike from the ePowered Racing team
October 6, 2023

On October 6, 2023, the ePowered Racing team of the  Escola d'Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE) presented his last electric-powered bike  the EPR03. The Power Devices and Systems (PDS) group of IMB-CNM(CSIC), through its AIE D+T Microelectrònica has sponsored one more year the team, which will participate in the next MotoStudent contest  with the  new prototype. Three members of the PDS group participated in the presentation of the EPR03, and were impressed with the excellent work of the  ePowered Racing team. Good lock to them!

 
From left to right, Conrad Ferré (PDS), Emma Solà (PDS), Ferran Algué (ePowered Racing Team) and Xavier Jordà (PDS)


Jornadas de grupos de investigación BSH
Septembre 12, 2023

Several members of the PDS Group participated in a two-day activity with BSHE. Firstly, a training course was held on 06/09/2023 at BSHE headquarters in Montañana (top photo). This course covered theoretical aspects of induction cooktops and included a visit to the manufacturing line. Secondly, they attended the XVIII Jornada de Grupos de Investigación BSH on 07/09/2023, which took place at Campus EINA in Zaragoza. During this event, Dr. Perpiñá, C. Ferrer, and Miquel Tutusaus (seen in the bottom photo) presented the research activities conducted over the past year focused on improving the reliability of induction cooktops at the die level.

    

 


PDS participates in the 1rst SCAPE Project Workshop: Modular and Scalable EV Power Converter Design. Unlocking a future of reliable, lightweight, and affordable EVs?
July 19, 2023

The first Workshop organised by the  EU-funded Horizon Europe SCAPE Project ("Switching-Cell-Array-based Power Electronics conversion for future electric vehicles") took place on July 19th, 2023. The workshop was part of the International Conference on Electrical and Electronic Technologies for Automotive (AEIT 2023) held at at the University of Modena Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE, Italy). The workshop entitled "Modular and Scalable EV Power Converter Design. Unlocking a future of reliable, lightweight, and affordable EVs?" was divided in two sessions and Dr. Xavier Jordà presented the second one: "An Overview of Chip Embedding Technologies for Power Systems Integration", where he presented the main characteristics and beneffits of the chip-embedding approach for the development of advanced and compact power converters. The main conclusions of the workshop are summarized in the takeaways  section of the project's website: https://www.scapepower.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SCAPE_Workshop1_Takeaways.pdf.


The speakers of the 1st SCAPE Worksop. From left to right: Xavier Jordà (IMB-CNM, PDS Group), Davide Baratter (UNIMORE), Muhammad Attique (IREC), Sebastian Rosado (AVL-D) and Sergi Busquets (UPC).


Master Thesis Defense
July 13, 2023

Miquel Tutusaus from PDS Group defensed his Master Thesis in Electronic Engineering (MEE) at UPC with his work entitled Design of a test methodology for the analysis of derating rules in space power devices, obtaining the maximum qualificaction. Congratulations!!!

 


 

Self-powered smart power modules
May 26th, 2023

The importance of power electronics is rapidly increasing in today's world, primarily driven by the growing need for electrification in order to eliminate fossil fuels consumption. Power converters are responsible for the processing and control of electric energy, ensuring efficient management of high amounts of electrical power. Power converters primarily consist of power devices (such as transistors, thyristors, and diodes), and passive elements. One effective approach to implement power converters is utilizing power modules. These modules incorporate power devices, local control, and protection circuits, all packaged together. This approach not only facilitates the implementation of complex power converters but improve compactness and reduces parasitic elements.
Mariana Raya from PDS group gave this presentation within the cycle IMBCNMtalks firstly introducing the fundamental concepts of power electronics and gradually progress towards our current research on self-powered smart power modules.

 

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Industrial electrification and decarbonization in 2050
May 15th, 2023

Within the cycle "Climate warming: Energy solutions from today for tomorrow" organized by the "Residencia d'Investigadors", the CSIC and the "Fundació Catalana per la Recerca i la Innovació", Dr. Xavier Jordà from the PDS Group gave the talk entitled "Industrial electrification and decarbonization in 2050". The electrification of industrial processes can be a valuable tool to reduce CO2 emissions from the industry, allowing the substitution of processes based on the combustion of fossil resources by others based on electrical energy from renewable sources. This progressive electrification is possible thanks to facilitating technologies, one of the most relevant being power electronics. Electronic power circuits allow the different elements of the chain of generation, distribution, storage and use of electrical energy to be efficiently interconnected and managed, and are based on semiconductor devices (chips) capable of withstanding very high voltages and conducting high currents. currents. In this talk, a vision of the current state of this technology was shown, omnipresent and with a great future, but often unknown.

 

Link to YouTube video presentation


New Packaging Materials and Structures for Advanced Power Modules
April 28th, 2023

Have you noticed that the number of electric vehicles has raised exponentially in recent years? The society is becoming more aware about how important is to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. That is why there is a clear tendency in electrifying all the systems that used to work with fossil fuels; since electricity from renewable sources is "greener". However, with this replacement high amounts of electrical energy have to be managed. The basic elements that control the electrical energy during its generation, distribution and final use are known as power converter circuits, which are based on power semiconductor devices (thyristors, transistors, diodes, etc.). These brittle power devices require specific packaging techniques and materials that have to withstand high current and voltage levels, high temperatures, high power densities, etc. In this talk, I will present new materials and structures that are being investigated for their application in power electronic modules in order to significantly improve their efficiency and reliability. Silver sintering is one of these materials, which is going to be used as a substitute of lead-based solders.
Emma Solà from PDS group gave this presentation within the cycle IMBCNMtalks.



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 Job offers

Power Devices and Systems Group (PDS) offers 1 JAE-INTRO scholarship for introduction to research: 

  • Reference: JAEINT23_EX_1189
  • Principal Investigator: Xavier Perpiñà Giribet
  • E-mail contact: xavier.perpinya@imb-cnm.csic.es
  • Formation Plan: Estudio de fenómenos electrotérmicos locales en dispositives semiconductores de potencia avanzados mediante deflexión interna d haz ñáser (IIRLD). 

Dates: From April 15th to May 15th, 2023
More info: https://jaeintro.csic.es/en/
                 https://sede.csic.gob.es/intro2023

 


 iRel40 project: WP5 Workshop
March 29-30, 2023

In March 2023, the WP5 workshop of the iRel40 project took place at Technical University of Delft (The Netherlands). Oriol Aviñó from PDS Group participed in the event presenting the last results of the IMB-CNM activities and chairing one of the sessions. At the bottom picture, Oriol Avinó together with the responsibles of the project and the WP5 workshop. From left to right: Sten Vollebregt (TU Delft), Oriol Aviñó (PDS), Klaus Pressel (Infineon Regensburg) and Xiu Juan (Susan) Zhao (Signify).




Talk: Microelectronics in space: BepiColombo mission
March 9, 2023

Miquel Vellvehi from PDS Group gave a talk in the framework of Objectes de la Recerca initiative at CSIC Delegation in Barcelona, which includes a mini-exhibition, a talk, a video and a contest. Vellvehi talked about the BepiColombo space mission, a joint ESA and JAXA mission, and diodes Schottky, developed at the IMB-CNM. These diodes are capable of withstanding the extreme conditions that will be found on the trip, with a temperature range of -160ºC to 300ºC.


Read more...


PTI-TRANSENER+ celebrates its First Scientific Days
March 1-2, 2023

The Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform PTI-TransEner+ (Sustainable Energy Transition) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) held its First Scientific Days on March 1 and 2 in Madrid, where the latest milestones achieved to date were presented, as well as the impact of the results and their transfer to the business community and society. Xavier Jordà from PDS Group presented its work entitled: Power electronics: a key enabling technology for efficient electrification being also chairman of the Electrification session. Xavier Perpinyà and Mariana Raya have also participated in the poster session.

 


Master Thesis Defenses
February 9, 2023

Mariana Raya and Conrad Ferrer from PDS Group defensed their Master Thesis in Electronic Engineering (MEE) at UPC with their works entitled Study of self-powered gate driver power supply solutions and Infrared image processing strategies for die-level power devices inspection, respectively, obtaining the maximum qualificaction. Congratulations!!!



First IMB-CNM Innovation Day
November 23, 2022

The PDS group participated in the First IMB-CNM Innovation Day held at Hotel Exe Campus on November 23. Miquel Vellvehi and Xavier Perpiñà were two of the coordinators of the stands showing the institute research results on two of their thematic axes: Energy and Mobility and Physics Frontiers and Civil Security.  Dr. Fernando Monterde, Head of Development Induction Cooktops BSH, presented a very interesting talk explaining the more than 20 years of common collaboration between BSH-Balay and the PDS group.

 


Participation in the IV Innovation Meeting
November 16, 2022

On November 16, 2022, Dr. X. Jordà from the PDS Group and representing also the CSIC PTI+ TransEner, participated at the IV Innovation Meeting entitled “The energy transition in Catalonia and Switzerland – Models, best practices and ideas for cooperation” that took place at the Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona. This event was co-organised by the Swiss Embassy for Spain and Andorra, the Swiss General Consulate in Barcelona, the Catalan Energy Institute (ICAEN) and the Efficient Energy Cluster of Catalonia (CEEC). The meeting was introduced by the M.H. Sr. Pere Aragonès, President de la Generalitat de Catalunya, and the Exc. Sr. Hanspeter Mock, Swiss Ambassador for Spain and Andorra. Dr. Jordà participated in the Technical session: “Innovation as an engine for the energy transition” with his talk “Power Electronics: a key technology for efficient electrification”, together with Dr. Christian Schaffner (ETH-Zürich) and Dr. Joan Ramon Morante (IREC), and chaired by Mr. Francesc Ribera (CEEC).

 


PDS Group participates in the Physics of Failure Workshop within iRel40 project
November 07-10, 2022

Dr. Xavier Perpinyà participated in the Physics of Failure Workshop during the General Assembly of the iRel40 project held in Ljubljana (Slovenia) from Novembre 7th to 10th. Dr. Perpinyà, Principal Investigator of iRel40 project, presented his work entitled "PoF in power devices under overcurrent testing/ageing for induction cooktops".

 

 


The UPC ePowered RACING MotoStudent team participates at the 1st edition of the e-Mobility Experience Fair at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
October 29-30, 2022

The ePowered RACING team participated in the e-Mobility Experience Fair held this past weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Paddock. The team, formed by students from the Escola d'Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE) of the UPC has the sponsorship of the IMB-CNM through the Power Devices and Systems (PDS) Group and D+T Microelectronica A.I.E. A delegation from the PDS group visited the team where the ePR02 prototype could be seen up close and also the opportunity to see a demonstration in operation on the Circuit the Barcelona-Catalunya track. The team is currently working on the new prototype, the ePR03, in order to participate in the 7th edition of MotoStudent scheduled for the fall of 2023.

  
From left to right: Emma Solà and Conrad Ferrer, researchers from the PDS group of the IMB-CNM; Núria Zhi, member of the mechanical department and Josep Francesc Aguilar, member of the electrical department of the ePowered RACING team


Job offers

Power Devices and Systems Group (PDS) offers 2 JAE-INTRO scholarships for introduction to research:

  • Reference: JAEINT22_EX_1532
  • Principal Investigator: Xavier Perpiñà Giribet
  • E-mail contact: xavier.perpinya@imb-cnm.csic.es
  • Formation Plan: Estudio de fenómenos electrotérmicos locales en dispositives semiconductores de potencia avanzados mediante deflexión interna d haz ñáser (IIRLD). 

 

  • Reference: JAEINT22_EX_1490
  • Principal Investigator: Miquel Vellvehi Hernández
  • E-mail contact: miquel.vellvehi@imb-cnm.csic.es
  • Formation Plan: Optimización del depósito de capas delgadas con alta emisividad y de un sistema de Termografía Infrarroja para el análisis de dispositivos de potencia.

Dates: From October 5th to November 7th, 2022
More info: https://jaeintro.csic.es/es/
                 https://sede.csic.gob.es/intro2022

 


PDS Group participation at CAS'22 Conference: Emma Solà obtains the Best Student Paper Award.
October, 12-14, 2022

Emma Solà from PDS Group has participated at the 45th edition of the annual conference (CAS 2022) held in Poiana Brasow (Romania) on October 12-14, 2022 with her work entitled "Silver Sintering as Die-Attach Material for High Temperature Sensors". This paper received the CAS2022 Best Student Paper Award.  Xavier Jordà also participated as an invited speaker with his work entitled "Power Systems Integration: A Key Enabling Technology for Electrification".


PDS Group participation at WiPDA-Europe 2022 Conference
September, 18-20, 2022

Oriol Aviñó-Salvadó from PDS Group has participated at the WiPDA - Europe Conference held in Warwick (United Kingdom) on September 18-20, 2022 with his work entitled "Dopant Incomplete Ionization Role in SiC Schottky Diode Edge Termination under Current Over-Stress".

 


PDS Group participation at EPE' 22 ECCE Europe Conference

September, 5-9, 2022

Mariana Raya from PDS Group has participated at the 24th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE-ECCE) held in Hannover (Germany) on September 5-9, 2022 with her work entitled "Improvement of a self-powered gate driver power supply". 


 

Jornada de Grupos de Investigación BSH
September, 6, 2022

Dr. Xavier Perpinyà from PDS Group participated at the XVII Jornada de Grupos de Investigación BSH at Campus EINA in Zaragoza. Dr. Perpinyà presented the research activities carried out during the past year about the improvement of the induction cooktop reliability at die level.



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