Newcastle University

The second ‘Innovator of the Year’ competition was launched by the Faculty in March 2013, with a prize of £5,000 awarded to the investigator who generated the most innovative research contribution during the academic year.

The aim of the competition is to promote innovative research and culture at Newcastle University and to help translate world-class science into new businesses, jobs and wealth. 

Last year, Dr Wenping Cao’s invention was ranked 2nd place.  However, the winning entry this year was awarded to Dr Wenping Cao, together with Bing Ji and Professor Volker Pickert for their invention Intelligent Gate Drive Design for High-Reliability Power Electronic Devices. 

This invention presents a high-TRL technology to incorporate diagnostic and prognostic functions into the gate drive of the power switching device, so as to improve reliability and energy efficiency of power electronic converters.  The technology was developed in the 2012-2013 academic year based on Bing Ji’s PhD work, and has led to several high quality publications and further funding opportunities. 

Congratulations to the winners!

For further information, please contact Dr Wenping Cao or visit the Faculty PVC's online blog.