The presented work provides a comprehensive evaluation of the current availability of education programs and courses related to of AI the field of Information Technologies and Computer Science in higher education institutions (HIEs) in the Republic of Bulgaria. More specifically, this study examines 163 bachelor’s and 239 master’s degree programs from 28 HEIs available during the 2023/24 academic year in four professional fields: (1) Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Automation; (2) Communication and Computer Technologies; (3) Informatics and Computer Science; and (4) Mathematics. The conducted evaluation shows that 41.1% of evaluated BSc programs and 26.4% of MSc programs include at least one AI-dedicated course. Results indicate a significant presence of AI-focused education, particularly in degrees related to Informatics and Computer Science, where 47.8% of AI courses are concentrated. However, a notable disparity exists in the inclusion of AI subjects across other technical fields, particularly in Electrical Engineering and related degrees, which contain only 8% of the identified AI courses for BSc degree programs. The findings highlight the need for a broader and more accelerated integration of AI education to meet the evolving demands of both students and the labor market. This work underscores the importance of strategic curriculum adaptation to enhance the readiness of Bulgarian HEIs to support the development and application of AI technologies, addressing the skills gap and fostering a workforce capable of navigating the AI-driven future.

This paper introduces a configuration aimed at switching losses reduction through a power leg constructed by combining a MOSFET and an IGBT. The combined use of these different switches leads to the turn-on losses reduction through the use of the faster freewheeling diode of the IGBT, and the turn-off losses reduction through use of the MOSFET’s lower losses because of the lack of tailing current, typical for IGBT’s. The introduced leg structure can be used to build single phase – full bridge invertors or three phase inverters. The proposed leg is realized, experimented and validated.

High efficiency is among the most important targets in power electronic converters. A possible approach to obtain this goal is the usage of better switches. This paper is focused at the study and comparison of SiC and Si power MOSFETS in soft switching resonant DC/DC converter. The latter converter being a part of light battery charger used in ultra-light electric vehicles is realized and investigated. The losses in the power switches are compared mathematically, with simulations and experimental verification. Two types of transistors are considered. First traditional state of the art Si-technology using a FREDFET (fast recovery diode MOSFET) and it is compared with what the SiC technology offers, using a fast Schottky antiparallel diode. As an example a 1500 W series resonance converter with input voltage of 400 V and output voltage of 100 V is used. The latter voltage permitting the use of Schottky diodes at the secondary side. The losses in both converters are compared via calorimetic measurements to avoid accuracy problems as in loss measurements with an oscilloscope for example.

The current paper proposes an improved specialized charge amplifier as an interface for measurement based applications that utilize Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) material. As this material and its interfacing electronics are still being researched, most of the applications and topologies are in development. PVDF material characteristics are reviewed and set as a basis for the design of the proposed charge amplifier. Experimental results of the proposed circuitry are compared to conventional voltage amplifiers. The charge amplifier characteristics and benefits are presented and discussed. Methodology for design of charge amplifier, applied to several measurement applications that utilize PVDF, is discussed.

The current paper presents a combined structure of wind direction and speed sensor that has simple and compact construction with no moving parts. The sensor utilizes thin film PVDF piezo electric strips. Its suggested advantages can be utilized to improve weather measurements relevant to various renewable energy generators.

The current paper suggests and analyzes the use of power electronics solution to a specialized channel-type industrial grade induction heating furnace. The experimented furnace is a unit that operates on 50Hz. The power electronic converter provides current, power and consequently temperature regulation trough frequency variation. This allows for the implementation of various technological processes. The presented converter is a complete solution that includes drivers, protections, etc. The system is experimentally verified. Its control capabilities and efficiency are evaluated.