On February 25, 2024, three students from the Department of Power Electronics and two pupils from the Max-Eyth-Schule Kassel presented a Class D audio amplifier with digital signal processing. The University of Kassel is taking part in this year's competition as part of the IEEE International Future Energy Challenge (IFEC). The aim is to develop a Class D amplifier with outstanding audio characteristics that is optimized for power density and cost. In the final in July 2024, in addition to efficiency measurements, the subjective audio quality will also be evaluated by professional audio engineers and examined in direct comparisons with the competitors' setups.

A laboratory prototype with fast-switching GaN semiconductors, which was only set up on February 20, 2024, was already able to reproduce audio signals so that functional hardware could be presented at the semi-final in Los Angeles.

In the event of admission to the final of the competition, the quality of the crossovers will be examined and optimized in addition to other digital audio functions (audio noise gate, signal compressor, multiband equalizer).

Addendum: Since 13.03.2024 it is known that the University of Kassel has been admitted to the final and will therefore represent the University of Kassel against 6 other teams in July 2023.