Master Thesis – Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics (all genders) // Job-ID: 208-0

Following research topics are at this moment open and subject to be incorporated into several master thesis. A master thesis may incorporate more than one listed topics to a full thesis. For your application please refer to the referenced with the set of topics.

Opportunities in the DC-uGrid project 
Explore the field of wide-bandgap devices and dig into the topic of power converters for DC-Microgrid applications.  
 

• DC-DC balancer for an industrial lighting applications 
  The DC-DC balancer is connected to a unipolar DC-microgrid, enabling subsequent converters to operate at half the DC bus voltage.
  • Investigate feasible topologies and control strategies.
  • Chosen topology is to be implemented fulfilling all the requirements stated in the specification document.
  • Design and calculation of all components for the chosen topology including semiconductor selection and magnetics design for a power rating of 6 kW.
  • Commissioning, testing and verification of the designed hardware demonstrator.

• DC-DC converter for a battery cell testing applications
  This DC-DC provides the galvanic isolation between the AC grid and the DC nanogrid which is connected to several battery cells.
  • Feasible topologies to be investigated include dual active bridges and CLLC resonant converters as well as their control strategies
  • Chosen topology will be implemented to fulfil allthe requirements stated in the specification document.
  • Design and calculation of all components for the chosen topology including semiconductor selection and magnetics design.
  • Commissioning, testing and verification of the designed hardware demonstrator.

 

• Single-stage converter with newest monolithic bidirectional GaN power semiconductors
  This single-stage converter serves as an galvanic isolated AC to DC power stage utilizing newest wide-bandgap devices
  • Innvestigation of the selected topology
  • Investigation of different operating modes and development of an operating controller
  • Design and calculation of all components for the given topology including semiconductor selection and magnetics design.
  • Commissioning, testing and verification of designed hardware demonstrator.
  • Implementation of the designed controller via a rapid control prototyping system and verification with Lab demonstrator

Opportunities in the HiFreSCo project 
HiFreSCo is the internal project name at SAL for the joint university laboratory with Graz University of Technology specifically with the EALS institute led by Prof. Michael Hartmann. Topics include high frequency switched converters, their topologies, gate driving technologies and passive devices. 

• High-Frequency Core and Copper Loss Measurements and their Challenges 
  Determining magnetic core and winding losses is crucial for power converter design. 
  • Literature studies on losses and measurement strategies for magnetic components.
  • Proposing a procedure as well as a a test bench implementation (i.e. accurate choice on probes and instruments) to characterise losses as effectively as possible.
  • Building up a test bench in hardware and performing measurements to assess the validity of the proposed procedures.
  • Evaluation of measurement results and cross check with predicted expectations.

As part of the DC-uGrid and HiFreSCo projects, we work closely with the following scientific partners: Prof. Hubert Berger (FH Joanneum), Univ.-Prof. Roberto Petrella (University of Udine), and Univ.-Prof. Michael Hartmann (Graz University of Technology). Master’s students enrolled at one of these institutions can undertake their thesis research under the supervision of one of these professors. Supervision arrangements outside these institutions may also be considered in exceptional cases.You want to do research with the possibility of publishing a paper in the end of your thesis?
You love to explore new fields centered around power electronics applications? 
You are highly motivated to join a young and dynamic team of scientists and research engineers? 
You are eager to learn new things and don’t fear diving deep into research papers?

If the answer to these questions is YES – we are waiting for YOUR application!

As the perfect candidate for a master thesis within our group in the research field of power electronics you have enhanced capabilities beyond basic knowledge in multiple of the following fields:

• Enrolled as a student at a university within the EU
• PCB design for electronic circuits
• Simulations for power converters and circuits
• Characterisation and/or modelling of power semiconductor devices
• Characterisation of passive components 
• Power semiconductor device-level packaging
• Power electronics system integration and high-density packaging
• MCU programming and real-time MCU applications
• Advanced mechanical design and simulation
• FEM or CFD simulation of complex geometries or power electronic devices or systems

• Duration 6 - 9 months.
• Diversified research activities with plenty of technical challenges.
• State-of-the-art lab facilities and instruments.
• Internal and external training opportunities for further development.
• € 4 per day food allowance in restaurants or € 2 per day in supermarkets.
• Family & kids friendly.
• Free coffee/milk/tea & fresh fruits.

This position is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA). We offer competitive salaries and additional benefits. For this position, we offer a monthly gross salary of EUR 1.929, paid 14 times a year.