Electronic Instrumentation Laboratory
Department of Microelectronics

MSc thesis project proposal

[2025] Projects in Sijun Du's Group

Available research directions and projects are listed below:

  1. Energy Harvesting
    • Kinetic
    • Thermoelectric or Solar 
    • RF power
  2. Wireless Power Transfer
    • Inductive
    • Ultrasonic 
  3. DC-DC Converters
    • Switched-cap
    • Isolated
    • Piezo resonator-based
    • Hybrid

The above are just research directions. The projects will be working on the power management integrated circuit (PMIC) and system designs, including AC-to-DC rectifiers, DC-to-DC converters, control techniques, maximum power point tracking (MPPT), maximum efficiency point tracking (MEPT), etc.

Below are detailed descriptions of each project direction, including related references:

1. Energy Harvesting - Kinetic: Kinetic energy harvesting IC design offers an exciting opportunity to create sustainable, self-powered systems for IoT devices, biomedical implants, and wearables by converting ambient motion into usable electrical energy. However, challenges such as low energy density, variable input conditions, and the need for compact, efficient circuits make this field both demanding and rewarding. This project will focus on designing innovative power management ICs tailored for piezoelectric, electromagnetic, or triboelectric harvesters, with emphasis on maximizing energy extraction through techniques like bias-flip rectification, hybrid energy harvesting, and ultra-low-power MPPT algorithms. Students will tackle cutting-edge tasks, including circuit design, simulation, prototyping, and validation in dynamic environments, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in green energy solutions while gaining valuable skills in IC design and energy management systems.

  • [1]    S. Du and A. A. Seshia, "An Inductorless Bias-Flip Rectifier for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 52, no. 10, pp. 2746-2757, 2017, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2017.2725959.
  • [2]    X. Yue, S. Javvaji, Z. Tang, K. A. A. Makinwa, and S. Du, "A Bias-Flip Rectifier With Duty-Cycle-Based MPPT for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 59, no. 6, pp. 1771-1781, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2023.3313733.
  • [3]    W. Peng, X. Yue, W. D. v. Driel, G. Zhang, and S. Du, "A Fully Integrated Electrostatic Charge Boosting Rectifier for Triboelectric Energy Harvesting," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, pp. 1-12, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3479072.
  • [4]    X. Yue and S. Du, "A Single-Stage Bias-Flip Regulating Rectifier With Fully Digital Duty-Cycle-Based MPPT for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, pp. 1-11, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3495232.

1. Energy Harvesting - thermoelectric/solar: Thermoelectric and solar energy harvesting IC design is a compelling area of research that aims to develop sustainable, self-sufficient power solutions for IoT devices, wearable electronics, and remote sensors. This project addresses key challenges, including efficient energy conversion from low-voltage thermoelectric or photovoltaic sources, power regulation under fluctuating environmental conditions, and achieving ultra-low-power operation for long-term energy autonomy. Students will explore advanced circuit techniques such as maximum power point tracking (MPPT), high-efficiency boost converters, and energy storage management, all integrated into compact, scalable ICs. Through hands-on design, simulation, and prototyping, participants will not only innovate in renewable energy technologies but also gain critical expertise in power management and integrated circuit design, positioning themselves at the forefront of energy-efficient electronics.

  • [1]    Q. Kuai, H. Y. Leung, Q. Wan, and P. K. T. Mok, "A High-Efficiency Dual-Polarity Thermoelectric Energy-Harvesting Interface Circuit With Cold Startup and Fast-Searching ZCD," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 57, no. 6, pp. 1899-1912, 2022, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2021.3128625.
  • [2]    I. Park, J. Jeon, H. Kim, T. Park, J. Jeong, and C. Kim, "A Thermoelectric Energy-Harvesting Interface With Dual-Conversion Reconfigurable DC–DC Converter and Instantaneous Linear Extrapolation MPPT Method," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, pp. 1-13, 2022, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2022.3214839.
  • [3]    T. Lu et al., "A Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting System Assisted by a Piezoelectric Transducer Achieving 10-mV Cold-Startup and 82.7% Peak Efficiency," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 6352-6363, 2024, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2024.3362366.

1. Energy Harvesting - RF Power: RF energy harvesting IC design is an exciting field that explores the potential of harnessing ambient radio-frequency signals to power low-energy devices such as IoT sensors, biomedical implants, and wearable electronics. This project focuses on overcoming critical challenges, including the efficient conversion of weak and intermittent RF signals, impedance matching across variable input conditions, and minimizing power losses in rectification and regulation circuits. Students will design and optimize advanced RF-to-DC converters, adaptive matching networks, and ultra-low-power power management ICs to maximize energy extraction and system efficiency. With opportunities to work on cutting-edge circuit techniques and prototype real-world applications, this project offers a unique chance to contribute to the growing field of wireless power while gaining valuable skills in RF and power IC design.

  • [1]    T. Le, K. Mayaram, and T. Fiez, "Efficient Far-Field Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting for Passively Powered Sensor Networks," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 43, no. 5, pp. 1287-1302, 2008, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2008.920318.
  • [2]    Z. Zhang, C. Zhan, S. Zhao, and M. K. Law, "A High-Efficiency Low-Cost Multi-Antenna Energy Harvesting System With Leakage Suppression," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 59, no. 9, pp. 2995-3007, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3387025.
  • [3]    D. U. Yildirim et al., "A 0.7 cm2 , 3.5 GHz, -31 dBm Sensitivity Battery-Free 5G Energy-Harvester Backscatterer With 20 s Cold-Start Wake-Up Time for IoT-Enabled Warehouses," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, pp. 1-11, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3498602.

2. Wireless Power Transfer - Inductive: Inductive wireless power transfer (WPT) IC design is a transformative research area that enables contactless energy delivery for applications such as biomedical implants, wearables, and consumer electronics. This project tackles key challenges, including achieving high efficiency under coupling variations, precise power regulation, and minimizing size and energy losses in the power transfer process. Students will focus on designing advanced ICs for inductive WPT systems, exploring innovations such as adaptive matching networks, hybrid voltage-/current-mode regulation, and digital power control techniques. With hands-on tasks in circuit design, system integration, and experimental validation, this project offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of wireless energy technologies while mastering advanced concepts in analog and power IC design.

  • [1]    T. Lu and S. Du, "A Coupling-Adaptive Wireless Power Transfer System With Voltage-/Current-Mode Receiver and Global Digital-PWM Regulation," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 59, no. 12, pp. 4175-4187, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3461857.
  • [2]    T. Lu, K. A. A. Makinwa, and S. Du, "A Single-Stage Dual-Output Regulating Voltage Doubler for Wireless Power Transfer," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 59, no. 9, pp. 2922-2933, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3378675.
  • [3]    X. Ma, W. H. Ki, and Y. Lu, "A 27 W Wireless Power Transceiver With Compact Single-Stage Regulated Class-E Architecture and Adaptive ZVS Control," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 59, no. 6, pp. 1782-1793, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2023.3333196.

2. Wireless Power Transfer - Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic wireless power transfer (WPT) IC design is an emerging and multidisciplinary research area that leverages acoustic waves to deliver energy wirelessly to miniaturized devices such as biomedical implants, IoT nodes, and underwater sensors. This project addresses unique challenges, including efficient energy conversion from ultrasonic vibrations, impedance matching under variable acoustic coupling, and minimizing power losses in rectification and regulation circuits. Students will design and optimize innovative IC solutions, including piezoelectric energy receivers, high-efficiency rectifiers, and low-power power management systems tailored for ultrasonic WPT. With tasks spanning circuit design, simulation, and experimental validation, this project provides an exciting opportunity to pioneer sustainable and biocompatible energy delivery technologies while mastering advanced analog and power IC design principles.

  • [1]    J. Charthad, M. J. Weber, T. C. Chang, and A. Arbabian, "A mm-Sized Implantable Medical Device (IMD) With Ultrasonic Power Transfer and a Hybrid Bi-Directional Data Link," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 50, no. 8, pp. 1741-1753, 2015, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2015.2427336.
  • [2]    M. J. Weber, Y. Yoshihara, A. Sawaby, J. Charthad, T. C. Chang, and A. Arbabian, "A Miniaturized Single-Transducer Implantable Pressure Sensor With Time-Multiplexed Ultrasonic Data and Power Links," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1089-1101, 2018, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2017.2782086.

3. DC-DC Converters - Switched-cap: Switched-capacitor DC-DC converter IC design is a cutting-edge research field that focuses on developing highly efficient, compact, and scalable power management solutions for applications such as IoT devices, wearables, and energy harvesting systems. This project tackles critical challenges, including achieving high conversion efficiency across a wide load range, minimizing charge redistribution losses, and ensuring stability in dynamic operating conditions. Students will design and optimize advanced switched-capacitor topologies, explore techniques like multi-ratio conversion and dynamic frequency scaling, and develop control algorithms for robust operation. Through hands-on circuit design, simulation, and prototyping, this project offers a unique opportunity to advance state-of-the-art power management ICs while gaining deep expertise in energy-efficient power delivery systems.

  • [1]    L. G. Salem and P. P. Mercier, "A Recursive Switched-Capacitor DC-DC Converter Achieving 2^N-1 Ratios With High Efficiency Over a Wide Output Voltage Range," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 49, no. 12, pp. 2773-2787, 2014, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2014.2353791.
  • [2]    N. Butzen and M. Steyaert, "Design of Single-Topology Continuously Scalable-Conversion-Ratio Switched- Capacitor DC–DC Converters," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 54, no. 4, pp. 1039-1047, 2019, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2018.2884351.
  • [3]    T. Park, H. Kim, M. Jeong, I. Park, and C. Kim, "A Fully Integrated Dual-Output Continuously Scalable-Conversion-Ratio SC Converter for Battery-Powered IoT Applications," IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers, pp. 1-13, 2024, doi: 10.1109/TCSI.2024.3396702.

3. DC-DC Converters - Isolated: Isolated DC-DC converter IC design is a critical research area for developing efficient and safe power solutions in applications such as industrial automation, electric vehicles, and medical devices. This project focuses on addressing challenges like achieving high power density, minimizing energy losses in isolation stages, and ensuring precise voltage regulation under varying load and input conditions. Students will explore advanced transformer-based topologies, such as flyback and resonant converters, while designing high-frequency gate drivers, control loops, and galvanic isolation interfaces. By combining simulation, circuit design, and hardware prototyping, this project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to state-of-the-art isolated power management systems while gaining in-depth knowledge of high-efficiency and safety-critical IC design.

  • [1]    J. Jiang, J. Tang, L. Zhao, C. Zhan, and C. Huang, "A 63% Efficiency 1.29-W Single-Link Multiple-Output (SLiMO) Isolated DC–DC Converter Using FPC Micro-Transformer With Local Voltage and Global Power Regulations," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 59, no. 3, pp. 804-816, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2023.3330173.
  • [2]    T. Hu, Y. Lu, R. P. Martins, and M. Huang, "An Isolated DC–DC Converter With Full-Duplex Communication Using a Single Pair of Transformers," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, pp. 1-12, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3445316.
  • [3]    D. Pan et al., "A 1.2W 51%-Peak-Efficiency Isolated DC-DC Converter with a Cross-Coupled Shoot-Through-Free Class-D Oscillator Meeting the CISPR-32 Class-B EMI Standard," in 2022 IEEE International Solid- State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), 20-26 Feb. 2022 2022, vol. 65, pp. 240-242, doi: 10.1109/ISSCC42614.2022.9731554. 
  • [4]    H. Ishihara and K. Onizuka, "18.8 A Fully-Generic-Process Galvanic Isolator for Gate Driver with 123mW 23% Power Transfer and Full-Triplex 21/14/0.5Mb/s Bidirectional Communication Utilizing Reference-Free Dual-Modulation FSK," in 2020 IEEE International Solid- State Circuits Conference - (ISSCC), 16-20 Feb. 2020 2020, pp. 300-302, doi: 10.1109/ISSCC19947.2020.9063035. 

3. DC-DC Converters - Piezoelectric Resonator-based: Piezoelectric resonator (PR)-based DC-DC converter IC design is an innovative research field that explores the use of high-quality-factor piezoelectric devices to achieve ultra-efficient and compact power conversion for applications such as IoT devices, energy harvesting systems, and wearables. This project addresses unique challenges, including the integration of piezoelectric resonators with ICs, maximizing energy transfer efficiency, and developing adaptive control schemes to maintain performance under dynamic conditions. Students will design and optimize advanced PR-based converter topologies, develop high-frequency drive circuits, and implement low-power control systems for precise operation. Through hands-on design, simulation, and experimental validation, this project provides an exciting opportunity to pioneer next-generation power conversion technologies while mastering high-frequency and piezoelectric-driven IC design.

  • [1]    J. D. Boles, J. J. Piel, and D. J. Perreault, "Enumeration and Analysis of DC–DC Converter Implementations Based on Piezoelectric Resonators," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 129-145, 2021, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2020.3004147.
  • [2]    W. C. B. Liu and P. P. Mercier, "Design and Analysis of a Frontside Series/Parallel Piezoelectric Resonator-Based DC-DC Converter," IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, pp. 1-15, 2024, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2024.3457867.
  • [3]    W. C. B. Liu, G. Pillonnet, and P. P. Mercier, "An Integrated Dual-Side Series/Parallel Piezoelectric Resonator-Based DC–DC Converter," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, pp. 1-13, 2024, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2024.3434980.

3. DC-DC Converters - hybrid: Hybrid DC-DC converter IC design is an exciting research area that combines the strengths of switch-mode and switched-capacitor topologies to deliver highly efficient, compact, and scalable power management solutions for applications such as IoT devices, energy harvesting systems, and wearables. This project addresses key challenges, including optimizing the balance between conversion efficiency and power density, minimizing losses in both active and passive components, and designing robust control schemes for seamless mode transitions. Students will design and optimize hybrid converter architectures, implement multi-phase and multi-level techniques, and develop dynamic control algorithms for efficient operation across wide voltage and load ranges. Through hands-on simulation, circuit design, and prototyping, this project offers a unique opportunity to advance state-of-the-art power management ICs while mastering cutting-edge techniques in energy-efficient hybrid power conversion.

  • [1]    W. C. Liu, P. H. Ng, and R. Pilawa-Podgurski, "A Three-Level Boost Converter With Full-Range Auto-Capacitor-Compensation Pulse Frequency Modulation," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 744-755, 2020, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2019.2959509.
  • [2]    M. Huang, Y. Lu, T. Hu, and R. P. Martins, "A Hybrid Boost Converter With Cross-Connected Flying Capacitors," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. 56, no. 7, pp. 2102-2112, 2021, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2020.3044062.
  • [3]    N. Pal et al., "A 91.15% Efficient 2.3-5-V Input 10-35-V Output Hybrid Boost Converter for LED-Driver Applications," IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, pp. 1-1, 2021, doi: 10.1109/JSSC.2021.3098495.

 

Assignment

  1. Literature review of power management integrated circuits (PMIC) in the chosen research project.
  2. Each student will lead a project; you will design, tape out, and measure your own ASIC.

Requirements

You should be familiar with analog IC design and Cadence environment. If you are interested in knowing more about any specific research directions, please send the following documents to Sijun Du for further discussions at email: Sijun.Du@tudelft.nl

  • Your up-to-date CV
  • BSc transcripts
  • MSc grades (obtained to date)

Suggested courses to appear in your IEP:

  • Analog Circuit Design Fundamentals
  • Measurement and Instrumentation
  • Analog CMOS Design 1 and 2
  • Digital IC Design 1 and 2
  • Analog Integrated Circuit Design

Not a must in your IEP, but you are encouraged to learn some course materials:

  • Power conversion techniques in CMOS technology (Only the SMPC and SCPC parts)
  • Semiconductor Device Physics

Contact

dr. Sijun Du

Electronic Instrumentation Group

Department of Microelectronics

Last modified: 2025-01-16