Dr Md Rishad Ahmed, University of Nottingham

The challenge

When an electric vehicle reaches the end of its life, its battery is typically the first component to wear out. However, the power converter, the system that controls and transforms electrical energy within the vehicle, often retains more than half of its original working life. Despite this, thousands of these functional converters are discarded each year when vehicles are scrapped, creating unnecessary electronic waste and economic loss. 

The research 

This Fellowship aims to address that challenge by establishing the first validated method for estimating the remaining useful life of aged electric vehicle power converters, with a focus on their silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor module, the component most critical to converter reliability. Silicon carbide is a next-generation semiconductor material increasingly used in automotive and renewable energy applications due to its efficiency and ability to operate at high temperatures and power densities. However, how these components behave and degrade under the gentler operating conditions typical of second-life applications, such as solar energy systems, battery storage, and microgrids, is currently poorly understood. 

Dr Ahmed's research will combine advanced computer simulations with dedicated laboratory testing to quantify how converters aged during first-life automotive use perform in lower-stress stationary settings. Working with industrial partners including Siemens, Cummins, NEMA, and GE Vernova, the project will generate benchmark experimental data and an open-access toolkit to help industry assess converters for safe reuse, without the need for full remanufacturing. 

The researcher

Dr Ahmed is an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. He is also the Director of Industrial Strategy and Engagement at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. His research focuses on the reliability and sustainable design of power electronic systems for electric transport and renewable energy. He has authored 65+ papers and two patents on high-frequency integrated power converters, and is currently leading multiple projects funded by UKRI, Innovate UK, and international partners. This Fellowship builds on his established expertise in wide-bandgap device characterisation and lifetime modelling, with the goal of positioning the UK as a leader in circular-economy approaches to power electronics.