Dr. Shova Neupane from the Centre for Industrial Electronics (CIE) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Danish Syddansk Universitet, was awarded the EPCIA Student Award for her outstanding postdoctoral work at the EPCIA meeting in Paris on March 23, 2023.
The EPCIA Student Award Committee judged Dr. Neupane's publication to be outstanding scientific work in the field of passive electronic devices. The award is endowed with €5,000.
The EPCIA prize was awarded to Dr. Neupane for the successful prototype development of an aluminum-based polymer electrolytic capacitor (E-Cap). The e-caps were developed in the university's research laboratory as part of the research project partly funded by EPCIA. The study showed that the use of this technology could lead to the development of ultra-compact integrated inverter systems. Conventional aluminum electrolytic capacitors have a comparatively high equivalent series resistance (ESR), which leads to increased self-heating and lower ripple current capability. Dr. Neupane's research proposes to replace a relatively poorly conducting liquid electrolyte in conventional electrolytic capacitors with a better conducting material.
The work has shown that electrolytes based on PEDOT:PSS - poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) - have significantly better ESR and current-carrying capacity values. By developing this technology, which enables reliable operation at voltages of 450 V and an operating temperature of up to 105 °C (both automotive industry requirements), polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors could compete with film capacitors as DC links in electric vehicle power converters.
Dr. Neupane tested the service life behavior of the successfully produced e-caps. She used X-ray tomography measurements to determine the physical condition of the encapsulated e-caps.
"Such R&D projects are of great importance for the passive components industry," emphasizes Ralph Bronold, President of the EPCIA. He encourages students from all European universities working in this field to apply for the EPCIA Student Award 2024.
EPCIA presents the Student Award annually and is looking forward to receiving further dissertations, master's or bachelor's theses and specialist articles on the subject of passive components. Details of the EPCIA Student Award can be found on the EPCIA website.
