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Institute for Data Processing and
Electronics (IPE)
The IPE of the Karlsruhe Institute of Tech-
nology (KIT) employs more than 120
researchers, technicians, PhD students
and students. The IPE covers a wide
range of research activities, including
high end electronic detector systems for
particle physics and high power Li Ion
battery systems for stationary and
mobile applications. The Li Ion battery
system research is backed by forefront
research on power electronic systems
and components.
Thanks to its electronic packaging centre,
researchers at the IPE are not only inves-
tigating new technologies but also in-
novate and transfer results in industrial
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
products and processes. Our machinery
includes:
•
high precision die bonding
( < 1 µm resolution)
•
automatic wedge/wedge and ball/
wedge wire bonders
(12.5 - 500 µm wires)
•
thick-film processing line with screen
printer and ovens
•
lamination press for low-temperature
silver sintering processes (LTJT)
•
automatic SMD assembly, reflow and
inspection systems
Addressing the challenges of electric vehi-
cle systems, renewable energy generation
and storage, our key activities focus in
research and development on the topics:
•
innovative battery management systems
•
highly integrated and efficient power
electronic modules and inverter systems
•
motor-integrated inverters for electric
vehicles
•
high-frequency half-bridges for wire-
less energy transfer
At the IPE, we develop, manufacture and
characterise low inductive power elec-
tronic modules based on low-temperature
sintering of wide band-gap power semi-
conductors. We meet thermal and electro-
magnetic design requirements by the ben-
eficial use of copper thick-film substrates.
A further important field of research is
the development of highly reliable power
electronic modules. To our industrial
partners we offer comprehensive investi-
gations of wire bond connections and die
attach materials using our power cycling
test stand.
Our vision is to optimize the integration
of huge batteries, motors and power
electronic systems.
Battery-powered bus presented at IAA 2013.
Thick-film based power module and copper wire
bonds.
Automatic SMD assembly line.
