Virtual Manufacturing Based Power Electronics Design and Manufacturing Training Courses

The aim of this project is to develop and deliver industry driven and compatible innovative courses and training programs meeting in full the needs of the UK power electronics industry and PEMD community. The innovative approach involves virtual power electronics device technology, design and manufacturing based on the Synopsys Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) and Design-Technology Co-Optimisation (DTCO) tools in both lectures and laboratories.

The leading organisation Semiwise will be in charge of the course development and delivery. The interactions with the power electronics industry and the marketing of the courses in the UK will be handled by the National Microelectronics Institute (NMI). Key power electronic manufacturers, members of NMI, will contribute to the course's development advising on the syllabus and making sure that the content represents the actual technologies and devices of interest. Synopsys, a key partner of this proposal will share their worldwide experience in modelling and simulation of power electronic devices and will provide access to the required tools. The tools are adopted by most of the world leading semiconductor manufacturers.

The course will tackle the lack of semiconductors trained staff in the UK and will enable the growth of the UK power electronics industry.

The mixed mode delivery will include face-to-face training, zoom-based delivery and on demand web-based distant learning. The face-to-face courses at manufacturers sites will be supplemented by Zoom based delivery and web-based training. The courses will cover silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), and gallium nitride (GaN) all of interest to UK PEMD players including:

* Design of power electronic devices.
* Processes and equipment used in the manufacturing of the devices.
* Complete manufacturing flows for several types of power electronics devices.

Different flavour of the courses will target different audiences promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within PEMD technology training, manufacturing, and research. These include:

* New recruits by the power electronics manufacturers.
* Existing staff of the power electronic manufacturers in need for up-skilling and re-training.
* Power electronics conversion courses for graduates increasing their employment prospect and increasing the employment pool for the power electronics manufacturers.

Due to the innovative course design and delivery concepts based on virtual manufacturing, and the key role of Synopsys we expect that the developed courses will become world leading power electronics course and Semiwise will become world leading power electronics training provider. Thus, this project will enable the growth of the UK power electronics industry increasing its competitiveness internationally.