With over 600 submissions, this year’s conference underscored its high international relevance and the dynamic progress taking place within the industry. The award-winning papers successfully demonstrate how electronic systems can be developed for even greater performance and sustainability. They also provide vital inspiration for the future, boosting the global competitiveness of the entire industry. This year’s awards were supported by Littelfuse, Mitsubishi, and Semikron Danfoss.
New approaches for the technologies of tomorrow
This year’s awards address important challenges in power electronics; in power semiconductors, innovative gate drive concepts, and advanced energy systems in particular. The quality of the submissions highlights the dynamic progress being made in this industry.
As per tradition, the award-winning papers were selected by the international advisory board of the PCIM Conference, chaired by Prof. Leo Lorenz (ECPE) and Prof. Drazen Dujic (EPFL).
According to Lorenz, “The PCIM Conference Awards bring together the brightest minds in power electronics. This global attention not only brings recognition for the winners, but also gives them access to a unique network to accelerate innovation and promote collaboration.”
Celebrating outstanding work
In the Best Paper Award category, three papers stood out for their depth of research and practical relevance. One winner each was selected for the Young Engineer Award and the Young Researcher Award.
The Best Paper Award focused on core issues in power electronics, translating innovative approaches into specific solutions. The award-winning papers were as follows:
- Diego Velazco, SuperGrid Institute, France Lifetime of IGBTs Under Mixed Sequential Power Cycling: A Matched-Lifetime Sequencing Experiment;
- Matt Appleby, University of Bristol, UK Low-Complexity Sub-nanosecond Active Gate Driver for SiC Modules with IV-Trajectory Optimisation;
- Kenan Askan, Eaton Industries, Austria Smart Circuit Breaker for Smart Low Voltage DC Power Grids
- Young Engineer Award: practical solution with great promise for the future
This year, the Young Engineer Award went to Axel Wagret (Airbus, France). His paper, titled “Shared DC-Link Optimization for Paralleled Inverters Using Phase-Shifted PWM,” impressed the panel with its practical focus and high industrial relevance. It demonstrates how targeted improvements in the efficiency and performance of modern inverter systems can be achieved through intelligent system optimization and innovative control concepts.
Young Researcher Award: Inspiration from the next generation of academia
Mohamed Alaluss (Technical University (TU) Chemnitz, Germany) received the Young Researcher Award. His paper, titled “Novel Test Concept for Active Short-Circuit Characterization,” offers key insights into switching characterization and new perspectives for the further development of reliable power semiconductors.
The PCIM Conference Awards were presented by Prof. Leo Lorenz and Prof. Drazen Dujic in a formal ceremony before a live audience. Each of the winners received a cash prize of €1,000.
Abstracts, best papers from the PCIM Conference 2026
- Diego Velazco, SuperGrid Institute, FR
Lifetime of IGBTs Under Mixed Sequential Power Cycling: A Matched-Lifetime Sequencing Experiment: This paper introduces a novel mixed sequential power cycling experiment to investigate load-sequence effects on IGBT lifetime. Two conditions with different junction-temperature swings were alternated with equivalent lifetime fractions. Results show a clear deviation from Miner’s linear damage rule, demonstrating strong sequence-interaction effects in device degradation and providing new insight for more accurate lifetime modeling of power modules.
- Matt Appleby, University of Bristol, UK
Low-Complexity Sub-nanosecond Active Gate Driver for SiC Modules with IV-Trajectory Optimisation: Reported active drivers have high fine strength resolution, clock-period-level timing control, and multi-step gate profiles. This work presents a simplified active driver with only two selectable resistances and two steps per profile, yet capable of sub-nanosecond timing adjustment through clock frequency tuning. Experimental results on a 400 A SiC module confirm performance comparable to reported active drivers, whilst achieving reduced hardware complexity.
- Kenan Askan, Eaton Industries, AT
Smart Circuit Breaker for Smart Low Voltage DC Power Grids: This paper introduces the first industrialized 100 A / 800 V Smart Semiconductor Hybrid Circuit Breaker (SCHCB) for resilient DC power grids in industrial and data center settings. Compliant with draft IEC 60947–10 and aligned with Current/OS and ODCA, it features advanced fault protection, high-speed switching, and smart grid capabilities including remote control and communication interfaces.
Abstract, Young Engineer Award
- Axel Wagret (Airbus, Frankreich)
Shared DC-Link Optimization for Paralleled Inverters Using Phase-Shifted PWM: This study optimizes shared DC-links in dual-inverter systems feeding poly-stator machines by exploiting carrier and modulation phase shifts. The goal is to reduce RMS current, enabling a compact DC-link while meeting lifetime and maximum emissions requirements. A fast MATLAB-based current reconstruction method generates a global RMS mapping for joint converter–machine design. Simulink simulations validate the DC-link gain across different machine configurations without degrading THD.
Abstract, Young Researcher Award
- Mohamed Alaluss (Techncal University (TU) Chemnitz, Germany)
Novel Test Concept for Active Short-Circuit Characterization: A novel test concept is presented to reproduce the active short-circuit condition of traction inverters under laboratory conditions. Two high-current IGBTs operating in the active region emulate the bidirectional active short-circuit current. The setup allows flexible adjustment of different active short-circuit waveforms and accurate reproduction. Initial measurements on a 650 V GaN cascode device demonstrate suitability for power device qualification under fault-like conditions.
