Fully Funded Swansea University PhD Scholarship: Gate-oxide Reliability of Wide Bandgap Power MOSFETs: Offline Prediction of Lifetime and Online Monitoring of Degradation

Funding provider(s): 50% Match Funded Faculty of Science and Engineering Studentship, with 50% Match funded contribution from Swansea University  

Subject area(s): Electronic and Electrical Engineering 

Project start date(s): 1 October 2024 

Supervisors: Dr Mohammad Monfared, Professor Mike Jennings 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering 

Project description: 

The wide bandgap (WBG) power MOSFET is more prone to early failure than its Si counterparts despite its recent success. One of the most significant contributing factors to the overall reliability of these devices is degradation or even complete failure of the gate oxide. Specifically, gate threshold voltages shift from their original value with prolonged application, mainly due to gate oxide thickness reduction and high electric fields. 

Reliability refers to a product's performance remaining within specifications for a specific period of time. According to the semiconductor industry, after 10 years of operation under nominal conditions, at most 100 devices per million can fail from oxide breakdown. 

Eligibility

Candidates must hold an UK Bachelor degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline, or overseas Bachelor degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. See country specific qualifications.

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. 

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.  

ATAS 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance; further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process; successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with their scholarship course offer. 

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237.

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

International students: Fully if the applicant is successful in being offered a SUIPRES Scholarship as outlined below.

Swansea University is pleased to offer the Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES). This is a competitively awarded Scholarship open to overseas PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants eligible for the international rate of tuition fees who can demonstrate excellence in academic achievement.  

The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme. Successful candidates will be charged fees aligned to the UK rate per year. This is £4,786 for 2024/25, increasing annually in line with UKRI (United Kingdom Research and Innovation), usually 3%. The scholarship will be offset against your tuition fee liability.

All International applications will be considered for a SUIPRES Scholarship. You will be informed whether a SUIPRES Scholarship will be offered within your offer letter.

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