True to the motto that ideas drive progress, the PCIM Conference Awards once again honoured the best and the brightest during the opening ceremony of the PCIM Conference 2026. A total of five outstanding papers from industry and academia were recognised across three categories: the Best Paper Award, the Young Engineer Award, and the Young Researcher Award.
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.
Best Paper Award: progress through quality research
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 optimisation 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 characterisation 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.
