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When I first entered the world of power electronics in the early 1980s, few could have imagined just how far the field would evolve over the next four decades. Back then, the idea of integrating an entire DC\/DC converter into a compact, highly efficient module seemed almost futuristic. Components were bulky, circuit design was mostly analog, and surface-mount technology was just beginning to emerge\u2014if it existed at all in practical terms.<\/p>\n
I started my journey at Micro-Gisco, a French microelectronics company engaged in cutting-edge research and development, in power solutions, for telecommunications and defense. Europe was modernizing its infrastructure, and we were given the challenge of developing a new generation of power modules to support that transformation. It was in this crucible of innovation and necessity that I first encountered the complexity\u2014and the sheer excitement\u2014of miniaturizing power systems.<\/p>\n
Inventing with What Didn\u2019t Exist<\/strong><\/p>\n The challenge was clear: we needed to make the power supply smaller, more efficient, and more reliable. But the tools we take for granted today\u2014standardized SMD components, powerful simulation software, and automated assembly\u2014almost didn’t existed. We had to improvise.<\/p>\n I remember working long hours combining printed resistors directly onto ceramic substrates, wire-bonding bare silicon dies, and carefully integrating conventional through-hole components wherever absolutely necessary. These weren\u2019t just technical decisions; they were creative choices made under constraints that pushed us to think differently. The prototype we developed eventually achieved a 25% size reduction compared to conventional DC\/DC converters of the time\u2014a significant leap forward for system miniaturization.<\/p>\n Looking back, that project was more than just a technical milestone. It was a formative experience that shaped my understanding of what innovation truly means: solving problems creatively, adapting to limitations, and never accepting the status quo. It also ignited a passion in me that has never faded\u2014the desire to push the boundaries of technology and to share that journey with others.<\/p>\n Decades of Change, A Constant Passion<\/strong><\/p>\n The power electronics landscape has changed dramatically since those early days. I\u2019ve had the privilege of being part of that transformation, witnessing firsthand the industry\u2019s evolution from analog to digital, from bulky transformers to planar magnetics, and from silicon to wide band gap materials like GaN (gallium nitride) and SiC (silicon carbide).<\/p>\n Throughout the years, I\u2019ve worked on a wide range of projects\u2014from power supplies for industrial systems to high-efficiency converters for telecom, data centers, medical equipment, and railway applications. Each new assignment brought its own challenges and opportunities to innovate. Whether it was improving thermal management in densely packed systems or developing intelligent digital control loops to optimize efficiency, I\u2019ve always been driven by the same core motivation: to make power conversion smarter, smaller, and more sustainable.<\/p>\n Technology alone, however, doesn\u2019t drive change. It\u2019s the people\u2014the engineers, designers, technicians, and even marketing professionals\u2014who bring ideas to life. Over the course of my career, I\u2019ve been fortunate to work alongside incredibly talented teams. Together, we\u2019ve broken new ground, filed patents, launched award-winning products, and\u2014most importantly\u2014shared knowledge.<\/p>\n Evangelizing Innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n From very early on, I recognized the importance of communication in engineering. It’s not enough to invent something extraordinary; you have to explain it, promote it, and make it accessible to others. That realization led me to take on the role of a technology evangelist\u2014not in name, but in spirit.<\/p>\n I’ve written hundreds of technical articles, white papers, and blogs, presented at international conferences, and contributed to professional publications across the globe. Whether the topic was the benefits of digitally controlled power supplies, the adoption of wide band gap semiconductors, or the challenges of electromagnetic compatibility in harsh environments, I always aimed to make complex subjects understandable and engaging.<\/p>\n One of the most fulfilling aspects of this work has been seeing how accessible knowledge can ignite interest, curiosity, and even career paths. Over the years, I’ve received messages from young engineers who told me that a paper I wrote or a webinar I hosted helped them choose their field of study or guided them through a tough design challenge. There is no greater reward than knowing that your words helped someone else grow.<\/p>\n A Responsibility to Inspire<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve always believed that sharing knowledge is not just a professional responsibility\u2014it\u2019s a personal one. That belief has guided my involvement with educational outreach, mentoring young engineers, and even engaging with high-school students to show them the exciting world of power electronics.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be honest: power electronics doesn\u2019t always get the spotlight. It operates behind the scenes, invisible but essential to nearly every modern system\u2014from smartphones and electric vehicles to medical imaging and renewable energy. Getting students interested in this field requires more than a technical explanation; it requires storytelling, enthusiasm, and the ability to connect the dots between electrons and real-world impact.<\/p>\n Through lab visits, presentations, and one-on-one mentoring, I\u2019ve tried to be an ambassador for the discipline. I\u2019ve seen how eyes light up when students understand that power electronics enables clean energy, makes our devices smarter, and is fundamental to achieving a sustainable future. It\u2019s those moments that reaffirm why I\u2019ve stayed so passionate about this field for over 40 years.<\/p>\n Technology Milestones<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the decades, I\u2019ve been part of several technology shifts that reshaped the power electronics landscape.<\/p>\n In the 1990s, the industry began shifting from linear regulators to high-frequency switching power supplies, bringing massive improvements in efficiency and size. In the early 2000s, we saw the rise of digital control\u2014enabling intelligent power management, real-time telemetry, and better system integration. Later, the move from discrete components to integrated power modules improved reliability and shortened time to market.<\/p>\n Most recently, the introduction of wide band gap semiconductors like GaN and SiC has opened up new frontiers in power density, switching speed, and thermal performance. Working with these technologies, especially in collaboration with forward-thinking companies like POWERBOX\/COSEL, has been one of the most exciting chapters of my career. Developing power supplies using GaN transistors, digital interfaces, and advanced planar magnetics allowed us to create compact, highly efficient, and robust solutions for demanding applications.<\/p>\n These milestones weren\u2019t just incremental improvements\u2014they were paradigm shifts. And they all shared one common thread: the need for engineers willing to explore uncharted territory, to test, fail, learn, and try again. That\u2019s the spirit I\u2019ve always tried to cultivate, both in myself and in others.<\/p>\n Reflections on a Lifetime in Power<\/strong><\/p>\n As I near the closing chapter of my professional career, I find myself reflecting not just on the technologies I\u2019ve helped develop, but on the philosophy that guided me.<\/p>\n Innovation doesn\u2019t happen in a vacuum. It\u2019s a result of curiosity, collaboration, and communication. It thrives in an environment where knowledge is shared freely, where risk is embraced thoughtfully, and where people are encouraged to think differently.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned over four decades, it\u2019s that power electronics is far more than a technical discipline\u2014it\u2019s an enabler of progress. It\u2019s what allows solar panels to feed the grid, electric trains to move millions of people efficiently, and life-saving medical devices to operate safely. It is, quite literally, the energy behind innovation.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s what kept me passionate all these years.<\/p>\n Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n Even as I step away from my day-to-day responsibilities, my interest in power electronics remains as strong as ever. I look forward to continuing to write, advise, and hopefully inspire a new generation of engineers to carry the torch forward.<\/p>\n We are entering an era of unprecedented opportunity\u2014where electrification, digitalization, and sustainability are converging. Power electronics sits at the heart of this transformation. With new materials, smarter control systems, and a global focus on energy efficiency, the possibilities are immense.<\/p>\n To those just starting in this field: embrace the complexity. Ask questions. Collaborate. And never stop learning. Because the challenges ahead are big\u2014but so is the impact you can make.<\/p>\n Final Words<\/strong><\/p>\n From printed resistors on ceramic substrates to GaN-based power supplies with digital brains, my journey has spanned a remarkable era of progress in power electronics. I\u2019m proud of the role I\u2019ve played and grateful for the people I\u2019ve worked with. Above all, I hope that in some way, my work has contributed not only to technological innovation but to the human side of engineering\u2014to curiosity, mentorship, and the power of shared knowledge.<\/p>\n After all, technology evolves. But passion? That\u2019s timeless.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When I first entered the world of power electronics in the early 1980s, few could have imagined just how far the field would evolve over the next four decades. 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