Power Electronics, Graduate Certificate

Rapid developments of power semiconductors devices, such as silicon-carbide (SiC) and gallium-nitride (GaN) power transistors, IGBTs, and diodes, are contributing to a fast growth of worldwide applications of power electronics. Efficient high-frequency dc-dc, ac-dc and ac-ac power converters are in a large demand in electric cars, computers, aircraft, space, biomedical instruments, and renewable energy sources.  DC-DC power converter use passive and semiconductor devices to convert a voltage provided a dc source to a voltage required by a load. The source can be a solar panel, fuel cell, battery, or a dc buss voltage fed by a rectified ac utility line voltage.  Various converter topologies are studied in the WSU power electronics sequence. The Power Electronics Certificate Program provides comprehensive knowledge of current and emerging technologies in the analysis, design, simulation, control, and testing power electronic circuits and systems. Power semiconductor and passive components, topologies of power converters converter stages, applied control techniques, high-frequency magnetic devices, and RF power amplifiers are covered in this program. This certificate program will provide students with the fundamental theoretical concepts and practical know-how necessary to understand and develop various power electronic circuits and systems.