Power electronics is a key enabling technology in a wide range of fields that are critical to the achievement of the net zero carbon agenda. One of the key challenges facing engineers is the realisation of carbon neutral aerospace, with the requirements for ultra-high efficiency, highly reliable power electronic systems, that occupy a limited volume, being the critical challenge. These aerospace requirements provide a different challenge to those posed by electric vehicles and renewable energy integration.

Wide bandgap semiconductors, such as silicon carbide are now dominant in the power electronics field for a range of end user applications, including electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.

For aerospace applications, the need for higher operating temperatures, the increased risk of lightning strikes and the enhanced cosmic ray flux mean that aerospace faces unique challenges that require different skills to other fields. These differences mean that concepts that are taught in conventional power electronics courses, both within academia and industry do not equip engineers with the unique skills required to make a contribution to the field of electric aircraft.

This project addresses that need, by providing training for people working in the aerospace industry and has been designed specifically to ensure that the UK maintains its leading position in the electrification of aircraft.

The training will encompass the fundamental advantages of wide bandgap semiconductors, focussing on silicon carbide, before outlining the unique challenges to the aerospace industry and the potential solutions. Case study materials will be provided by Rolls Royce as their contribution to the project, which will cover the development of fault tolerant power supplies for aerospace systems and these will be used as a vehicle to demonstrate the viability of the solutions.