Infineon Austria cooperates with University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing on energy-saving microelectronics for decarbonization

Villach, Zagreb, November 03, 2022 - Infineon Austria and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) at the University of Zagreb have launched an academic cooperation in power electronics. The collaboration will advance the further development of energy-efficient technologies for decarbonization as well as strengthen one of the key areas of European microelectronics expertise.

The cooperation focuses on research and development of microelectronic solutions that systematically reduce energy consumption as well as on training for these research fields. These include, for example, electro mobility or the energy-efficient generation, transmission and use of electricity. The duration of this academic cooperation is initially set for six years. Prof. Dr. sc. Željko Jakopović has been appointed to lead the project. The collaboration is part of Infineon Austria's spillover activities within the Important Project of Common European Interest on Microelectronics (IPCEI ME).

"Concrete scientific and technological solutions in power electronics can contribute significantly to achieving the climate goals. To do this, expertise in the area of university research and teaching must be even more closely intertwined with existing industrial competencies, and that is exactly what we are doing now. We call this our 'Mission Future' and are pleased to cooperate here with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing of the University of Zagreb and to actively advance the strengths of Europe as a semiconductor location together. This is a unique opportunity for young researchers to work in a highly attractive technical career field, making our world a safer and more environmentally friendly place", said Sabine Herlitschka, Chief Executive Officer of Infineon Technologies Austria AG.

“We are excited about the opportunity to strengthen our cooperation with Infineon, a global leader and one of Europe's most important electronics companies. This collaboration is a testament to the quality and potential of FER in the area of research and development of power electronics systems, as well as to our attractiveness for outstanding young talent. I am sure that this cooperation will be mutually beneficial and that together we will create new opportunities", says the Dean of FER, Prof. Vedran Bilas, PhD.

"I am certain that this academic collaboration project between Infineon and FER will significantly expand the competencies of the Power Electronics Group as well as the other departments at FER, both in the area of scientific research and in teaching. The expected involvement of prominent experts from Infineon in the teaching process through invited lectures and workshops will provide our students and researchers with direct access to the latest technological achievements in the field of microelectronics, power semiconductor components and related applications in the field of power electronics," said Prof. Željko Jakopović, PhD.

Research on grid stability, electromobility and intelligent control systems
Within the academic cooperation, the focus is on solutions for energy efficient applications. These include the development of theoretical concepts for the stability of power grids, research work in the field of electro mobility, and the maximization of energy savings with intelligent control systems, for example through algorithms, artificial intelligence, or machine learning. In addition, design and test methods for analog, digital and mixed-signal circuits are developed for power electronics applications.

With the aim of expanding the pool of STEM talent in Europe through this collaboration, the cooperation partners also plan educational programs at the FER Faculty of the University of Zagreb specifically focused on power electronics in the future. In parallel, Infineon Austria offers students a range of services, from subject-specific workshops and support for PhD students to industrial internships for Bachelor and Master students.

About University of Zagreb and FER

The University of Zagreb (1669) is the oldest university in South-Eastern Europe, and the largest and most influential Croatian university. It offers education and research in all scientific, technical, and humanities fields (engineering, biomedicine, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, etc.). With 31 Faculties and 3 Art Academies, it is the flagship educational institution in the country. More than 8,000 teachers and around 70,000 students study at the University of Zagreb.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) is the leading Croatian research and educational institution in the fields of electrical engineering, ICT and computing. FER is a place of education and exploration for more than 3400 bachelor (B.Sc.) and master (M.Sc.) students, 450 doctoral (PhD) students, 200 professors, and 300 teaching and research assistants. FER’s bachelor students come from the best high schools in the region and around the world, while FER’s alumni are highly respected professionals that are in high demand in most innovative technology companies. According to the European Commission data, FER is at the top in Croatia in terms of attracting EU projects.

Infineon Technologies Austria AG is a group subsidiary of Infineon Technologies AG, a world-leading provider of semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon reduce the energy consumption of consumer electronics, domestic appliances and industrial facilities. They make a major contribution to the convenience, security and sustainability of vehicles, and enable secure transactions in the Internet of Things.

Infineon Austria pools competencies for research and development, production as well as global business responsibility. The head office is in Villach, with further branches in Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Vienna. With 4,820 employees from 73 countries (including 2,100 in research and development), in the financial year 2021 (ending in September) the company achieved a turnover of € 3.9 billion. With a research expenditure of 516 million euros, Infineon Austria is one of the strongest research companies in Austria.