Device and process simulation
Silvaco VictoryDevice, VictoryProcess, Sentaurus TCAD, physics-based device simulation, process development, and advanced physical models.
Semiconductor devices · Device physics · Micro-/nanoelectronic
Hamed Abnavi
Semiconductor Device Engineer
PhD researcher at the University of Twente specializing in power semiconductor device design, TCAD simulation, and advanced switch architectures across Si, SiC, and GaN technologies.
Available from March 2027 for Semiconductor R&D Engineer, Research Scientist, and Postdoctoral Researcher opportunities.
HA
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About me
I am a PhD researcher in power semiconductor devices at the University of Twente. My research focuses on the design and engineering of novel accumulation-mode MOSFETs and bidirectional power switches for energy-efficient power-electronics applications.
My experience covers the complete device-development cycle, including physics-based design, device and process simulation, circuit simulation, electrical characterization, parameter extraction, performance optimization, and industrial benchmarking.
My current work includes vertical trench MOSFETs, bidirectional power switches, dielectric RESURF concepts, nanosheet power FETs, and electrostatic scaling of advanced semiconductor architectures.
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Technical expertise
Power-device technologies
Si, SiC, and GaN devices, trench MOSFETs, accumulation-mode FETs, bidirectional switches, HEMTs, diodes, and nanosheet FETs.
Circuit simulation
PSpice, Silvaco MixedMode, Cadence Virtuoso, Proteus, device-circuit interaction, and switching analysis.
Modelling and analysis
MATLAB, device modelling, parameter extraction, electrostatic analysis, scaling analysis, and performance optimization.
Device engineering
RESURF design, electric-field engineering, breakdown-voltage optimization, and specific on-resistance versus breakdown-voltage trade-off analysis.
Electrical characterization
Transfer and output characteristics, breakdown measurements, parameter extraction, laboratory characterization, and industrial benchmarking.
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Selected research
My work combines device physics, numerical modelling, fabrication-aware design, and electrical validation.
Silicon power devices
Accumulation-mode trench bidirectional switch
Developed a novel dielectric-RESURF accumulation-mode trench device architecture for efficient bidirectional power switching. The work resulted in a first-author publication in IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices.
Silicon carbide
SiC trench AccuFET
Designed and evaluated an accumulation-mode SiC trench MOSFET concept for high-voltage applications, with emphasis on conduction performance, channel resistance, breakdown voltage, and device scaling.
Advanced architectures
Nanosheet power FETs
Investigating stacked nanosheet architectures, electrostatic scaling limits, natural-length optimization, and resistance scaling for future power semiconductor devices.
Wide-bandgap devices
GaN bidirectional HEMTs
Supervised simulation and modelling research involving GaN bidirectional HEMT architectures, device characteristics, and power-switching performance.
Thin-film devices
Perovskite solar cells and photodetectors
Designed, simulated, fabricated, and optimized triple-cation perovskite devices with carbon electrodes, achieving a power-conversion efficiency of 14% and an improvement of approximately 30% over the baseline fabricated devices.
Fabrication and measurement
Device validation and benchmarking
Designed devices for fabrication at the MESA+ Institute, characterized fabricated silicon devices, extracted electrical parameters, and benchmarked their performance against industrial reference devices.
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Experience and education
2023–Present
PhD Researcher – Power Semiconductor Devices
University of Twente, the Netherlands
PhD in Electrical Engineering – Semiconductor Devices
Research on accumulation-mode MOSFETs, bidirectional switches, vertical trench devices, nanosheet power FETs, fabrication-aware device design, and electrical characterization.
- Designed and optimized power-device architectures using Silvaco VictoryDevice and Sentaurus TCAD.
- Developed a novel RESURF accumulation-mode trench bidirectional switch.
- Designed silicon devices for fabrication at the MESA+ Institute.
- Characterized fabricated devices and benchmarked them against NXP reference devices.
- Investigated nanosheet FET architectures and electrostatic scaling limits.
Dissertation focus: Accumulation-mode bidirectional switches for energy-efficient battery chargers.
2018–2021
MSc – Micro- and Nanoelectronic Devices
Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Iran
Designed, simulated, fabricated, and optimized thin-film perovskite solar cells and photodetectors. The research included materials engineering, numerical modelling, device fabrication, and performance characterization.
Thesis: Design, Simulation, and Fabrication of Perovskite Solar Cells and Photodetectors.
2013–2018
BSc – Electrical Engineering
Control Systems and Robotics
Designed and implemented a fully automated temperature and humidity controller with SMS-based remote monitoring and control. The project included circuit and PCB design in Proteus, ATmega32 programming in C, PCB fabrication, assembly, and system testing.
Thesis: PCB and electronic-circuit design for a fully automated temperature and humidity controller with SMS-based remote control.
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Teaching and mentoring
Experience teaching semiconductor-device simulation, supervising research projects, and assessing technical work.
2025–2026
MSc thesis daily supervisor
Daily supervision of an MSc thesis project on simulation and modelling of GaN bidirectional HEMT devices at the University of Twente.
Annual appointment
Undergraduate project supervisor
Organize and supervise a three-month MOD7A project for up to 24 students annually. The project covers TCAD simulation of photodiodes and MOSFETs, electrical characterization, technical mentoring, and final-report assessment.
Annual appointment
Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant for the Power Semiconductor Devices course at the University of Twente.
2023
BSc thesis daily supervisor
Daily supervision of a BSc thesis project on simulation of GaN HEMT devices at the University of Twente.
06
Selected publications
Journal articles
2025 · Journal article
A New Silicon Accumulation-Mode Trench Bidirectional Switch
H. Abnavi, C. Steenge, J.W. Berenschot, N.R. Tas, and R.J.E. Hueting
IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices
2021 · Journal article
Performance Analysis of Several Electron/Hole Transport Layers in Thin Film MAPbI3-Based Perovskite Solar Cells: A Simulation Study
H. Abnavi, D.K. Maram, and A. Abnavi
Optical Materials, Volume 118, 111258
Conference papers
2025 · Oral presentation
Accumulation-Mode SiC Trench MOSFET
H. Abnavi, C. Steenge, S.D. Dulfer, J.W. Berenschot, N.R. Tas, and R.J.E. Hueting
17th International Seminar on Power Semiconductors (ISPS)
2024 · Conference paper
Numerical Approach on Modeling of Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Coupled Ion Vacancy and Charge Carrier Dynamics
H. Abnavi et al.
32nd Iranian Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEE)
2024 · Conference paper
Numerical and Computational Study on Compressive Strain Effect in Perovskite Solar Cells
Co-author
32nd Iranian Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEE)
2024 · Conference paper
Impedance Evaluation of Plasmonic Nano Dipole Antennas Based on Guided TE Mode
Co-author
32nd Iranian Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEE)
2020 · Conference paper
TDMA-Based Numerical Approach on Modeling of Charge Carrier Transport and Ion Vacancy Motion in Perovskite Solar Cells
Co-author
32nd Iranian Conference on Electrical Engineering (ICEE)
Award and honor
MESA+ Poster Award 2025
Third prize for the poster “Self-Aligned 3D Transistor Technology in the MESA+ NanoLab,” presented at MESA+ Day 2025.
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Let’s connect
I am interested in research and development opportunities in semiconductor devices, power electronics, nanoelectronics, and advanced device technologies.