From June 2 to 6, 2024, the 36th International Symposium on Power Semiconductor Devices and Integrated Circuits (ISPSD ’24) was held in the historic concert hall Die Glocke in Bremen. This leading global forum in the field of power semiconductor technology—including power integrated circuits, hybrid systems, and new materials—rotates its venue every four years among Europe, North America, Japan, and other regions. Thus, the symposium returns to Europe only once every four years.
Bremen, one of Germany’s oldest Hanseatic cities with a history spanning over 1,200 years, offered participants not only a unique environment for professional exchange but also rich cultural experiences. The city is home to the famous Bremen Town Musicians statue (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a historic square with a Gothic town hall, modern scientific institutions, and the lively Überseestadt harbor district. Against this historical and cultural backdrop, the symposium provided an inspiring setting for high-level technical discussions, professional networking, and international collaboration.
The organization of ISPSD 2024 in Bremen faced logistical, operational, and technical challenges.
The first of these was the welcome reception – the historic town hall could not accommodate all participants. Therefore, a system of 28 categories of participant badges was introduced, which ensured efficient distribution of delegates and prevented overcrowding.
Another challenge was the social program – within a short period, six different events had to be organized, each of which had specific requirements for logistics, technical production, and supplier coordination.
The technical program was also very demanding. All submissions underwent a strict review process and had to meet the IEEE Conference Publication Program (CPP) standards for inclusion in the IEEE Xplore database. Out of 338 accepted submissions, 141 (40 %) were included. When the more than 600-page proceedings were fully prepared for printing, the sponsor requested a new arrangement of the papers according to the conference program, which created significant time pressure.
ISPSD 2024 also introduced for the first time the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) program, which brought new opportunities as well as organizational challenges.
The welcome reception was split between the Bremen Town Hall and the Die Glocke concert hall. Using 28 categories of badges, delegates were efficiently distributed, ensuring the smooth running of the event.
Six social events were organized thanks to careful planning and cooperation with local partners, complementing the technical program and creating opportunities for networking.
Despite extreme time pressure, the 600-page proceedings were completely revised and delivered on time, in accordance with the requirements of both IEEE and the organizing committee, while maintaining scientific quality.
The IEEE Women in Engineering program was successfully integrated thanks to the involvement of female experts and the support of a female-led committee, strengthening the focus on diversity and inclusion.
ISPSD 2024 achieved several historic milestones – for the first time it included the IEEE Women in Engineering section and awarded the prestigious IEEE Andrew S. Grove Award. Traditional awards were also retained: Best Poster Award and Best Paper Award.
Another unique feature was the ladies’ program for accompanying guests, which enriched the atmosphere of the symposium. The Die Glocke concert hall made a significant contribution with its exceptional acoustics and prestige.
ISPSD 2024 demonstrated a top-level standard of organization, strengthened Bremen’s reputation as a host city, and reinforced Europe’s position in power electronics. Strong participation from Asia supported global knowledge exchange and collaboration between academia and industry, while the strict review process and publication in IEEE emphasized the scientific authority of the event.
ISPSD 2024 welcomed 484 delegates from 21 countries, including sponsors and exhibitors. The symposium confirmed its position as one of the most prestigious global conferences in power electronics and offered participants an excellent experience. It strengthened the reputation of both the organizers and the host city, and created a platform for future collaboration between academia and industry.
no parallel sessions
successfully integrated IEEE Women in Engineering program
creation of a platform for future collaboration
