Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: * Define system specifications and design criteria for power electronic converters in electrification applications. * Analyze and compare fundamental converter topologies (AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC) and select appropriate solutions. * Design power electronic systems considering semiconductor technologies, power density, and state-of-the-art solutions. * Perform thermal design and evaluate its impact on performance and lifetime. * Apply reliability-oriented design methods, including failure mechanism analysis and lifetime estimation. * Evaluate and optimize converter efficiency, understanding trade-offs with cost, reliability, and power density. * Develop complete converter designs (DC/DC and DC/AC), including component selection, simulation, and validation. * Implement control strategies aimed at improving reliability (e.g., derating, power management). * Apply condition monitoring techniques and interpret data for health assessment and remaining useful life prediction.

No formal pre-requirements. A solid knowledge of circuit theory is warmly recommended, though.

a. Electronic design: specifications, design criteria, state of the art in terms of power density and technologies b. Thermal design: why, what, how c. Design for reliability d. Fundamental topologies: AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC e. Case study 1: design of a DC/DC converter from start to end: specs, component choice, simulation, thermal design, reliability estimation, and verification f. Case study 2: design of a DC/AC converter from start to end: specs, component choice, simulation, thermal design, reliability estimation, and verification g. Efficiency: why, what, how. Trade-off among efficiency, reliability, cost, and volume/power density h. Control for reliability: power shaving, smart derating, condition-monitoring-aware prediction of remaining useful life i. Condition monitoring techniques

The course includes 50 h of theory and 50 h of classroom exercises

The course is structured as follows: - 50 hours of classroom lessons, aimed at developing knowledge spreading from power semiconductor switches to converter design (as described in detail in the syllabus). - 50 hours of classroom exercises aimed at fostering the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to practical problem solving. Numerical and simulation-based exercises will be performed on devices, converters, algorithms for reliability and efficiency, and advanced topics like control for reliability and condition monitoring.

- Books: 1. S. Linder, Power Semiconductors. Lausanne, Switzerland: EPFL Press, 2006. 2. Iannuzzo, F. (Ed.). (2020). Modern power electronic devices: Physics, applications, and reliability. Institution of Engineering and Technology. 3. McPherson, J. W. (2019). Reliability physics and engineering: Time-to-failure modeling (3rd ed.). Springer. - Teacher's handouts

Lecture slides; Text book; Exercises; Video lectures (current year); Simulation tools;

Exam: Optional oral exam; Computer-based written test in class using POLITO platform;

Exam form: Written test (Moodle) with a mix of multiple choice and exercises (mandatory). Oral exam (optional). ---Written test The written test is a Moodle quiz including multiple-choice questions and numerical exercises. During the exam, students may use their own PC, mobile phone, or tablet. However, the use of the internet is restricted to searching for common numerical data (e.g., the thermal conductivity of silicon), basic graphs, generally shared formulas, and common knowledge related to the field. Asking questions or uploading pictures, screenshots, or parts of them to any search engine, artificial intelligence app, or solver is strictly forbidden. The use of books, notes, or equivalent materials is allowed. The written test lasts 1.5 hours. Grading The written test's grade range is from 1 to 30. A minimum of 18 is necessary to pass the exam. ---Oral exam If they pass the written exam, students may request an oral examination. Oral examination typically comprises 1-2 questions on failed answers to the written test, if applicable, and an interdisciplinary question if a grade with honors is likely. To pursue a with honors grade ("con lode"), students must mandatorily undergo an oral examination. Grading Grades for the oral examinations range from 1 to 30, with honors. In the case of an oral exam, the final grade may or may not account for the written exam's grade.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.