U of A Power Group Team Wins First Place at International Aerospace Power Electronics Design Challenge

A team from the University of Arkansas Power Group placed first and received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 2025 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power & Energy Society Aerospace Power Electronics Design Challenge. 

The international competition invited undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students to design fault-tolerant power conversion systems capable of operating under component failures and harsh aerospace conditions, including constraints such as weight, reliability, radiation, and electromagnetic interference. Teams validated their designs through detailed simulations and presented their work to an expert judging panel. 

The team consisted of Pedram Heris, Abu Shahir Md Khalid Hasan and were advised by Distinguished Professor Alan Mantooth. 

The group developed a fault-tolerant DC-DC converter architecture designed to eliminate single points of failure and maintain operation under component faults, emphasizing reliability and continued performance in harsh aerospace environments. 

"In space, power electronics face major challenges such as radiation exposure, high-voltage operation, strict size and weight limits, and the risk that a single failure can disrupt an entire mission. Unlike systems on Earth, these converters must operate reliably for long periods with very limited chances for repair," said Heris. 

"Our solution was to design and build a fault-tolerant, radiation-aware modular power converter for aerospace applications. We built the converter using Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices, which offer high efficiency, fast switching and strong performance in advanced power electronics. We also developed the design with future Gallium Oxide integration in mind, since Gallium Oxide has the potential to deliver even higher voltage capability and even better performance for next-generation aerospace systems." Heris added 

Hasan contributed to radiation-aware modeling and simulation efforts for the project. 

"My primary contribution focused on radiation-aware modeling and simulation of the GaN-based fault-tolerant DC-DC converter architecture. I worked on evaluating how radiation effects and component-level faults impact system performance, ensuring the design can eliminate single points of failure and maintain reliable operation in harsh environments." 

The competition included more than 22 teams from institutions worldwide. The final stage required a formal technical presentation, where the team was also recognized for Outstanding Oral Presentation. 

"It should serve as a source of confidence that our students stand among the very best in the world, as does our program," said Mantooth. 

"This was an international competition. The most valuable lesson is that while it is important to do great work and be creative, it is equally important to communicate your work effectively to an audience of your peers so that they can appreciate that creativity and novel work. We will continue to push the boundaries of high frequency, high power, reliable, and highly power-dense power electronics in all areas of our laboratory." 

Awards were presented in person at APEC 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. 

"Winning this competition means a great deal to me, Shahir, and Prof. Mantooth. This was a global competition with 22 teams from around the world, so earning first place is a very special honor. Receiving the Best Oral Presentation Award made it even more meaningful because it recognized not only the technical quality of our project but also how clearly and effectively we communicated it." said Heris.

About the UA Power Group: The University of Arkansas Power Group represents one of the nation's most comprehensive academic programs in advanced power electronics, integrating three national centers of excellence and over $150 million in core research facilities. With 24 faculty across five departments and $31 million in annual research expenditures, the Power Group leads nationally in energy systems, electrified transportation, and high-power electronics innovation. Its vertical integration from materials to systems, extensive industry partnerships, and award-winning research have earned the U of A recognition as a national leader in power and energy technology innovation. For more information: UA Power Group.