IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - September 2021 - 91

with the knowledge, skills and drive
to work on the energy transition challenges
of tomorrow.
Braham inspired, mentored and
challenged many colleagues and
students. The largest mark he has
left over the years is undoubtedly
on his PhD students, who after
years of guidance went on to have
successful academic and industrial
careers all over the world. His light
will never go out, and his example
will continue to guide us to always
remember to put others first, be
humble and kind, live in the
moment enjoying all life has to
offer, deliver faith and hope, and
above all-strive to help others.
On 17 June, duri
ng IEEE APEC
2021, PELS celebrated
his life by devoting
a " Happy Hour "
session via Zoom.
This meeting was
hosted by Prof. Alan
Mantooth, past president
of PELS and
Distinguished Professor
at the University of Arkansas.
Colleagues and friends brought their
favorite beverages to give a toast and
recall a humorous story. This format
of toasting Braham was chosen to
symbolize and celebrate his global
impact, fun loving spirit, and profesHis
light will never go
out, and his example
will continue to guide
us to always
remember to put
others first.
sional qualities. His
wife Rina also joined
this meeting via
zoom and reminded
the host that 15 June
was Braham's
63rd birthday. She
thanked everyone for
remembering her
husband's accomplishments
and contributions
to power electronics in
such a wonderful way.
Our thoughts and prayers are with
his wife Rina, his daughters Alletta,
Mea and Nina and the rest of his family.
He will be truly missed.
Empower A Billion Lives-II
Building on the success of
Empower a Billion Lives - I
The IEEE Power Electronics Society is pleased
to announce Empower a Billion Lives - II,
global competition to be held from August
2021 to October 2022.
Empower a Billion Lives II-Timeline
Aug 15, 2021 Team Registration Opens
Nov 1, 2021 Online Proposal Deadline
Jan, 2022
Feb, 2022
Online Judging Review
Field Testing Notification
Apr-June, 2022 Field Testing
* Field test in a real energy access
community (open to all accepted
teams-including student teams)
** Field test in a virtual energy
access community test-bed-
open to student teams only
Empower a Billion Lives
is a biennial global
competition organized by
the IEEE Power
Electronics Society for
teams to develop &
demonstrate regionally
relevant scalable energy
access solutions.
In EBL I - 450 teams
from 70 countries
responded with solutions
that leveraged
21st century technologies,
an understanding
of the end user, and
sound business plans.
In EBL I 23 teams Field
-tested their solutions
and over $500,000 was
provided in awards
including a $100,000
Grand Prize to team
SoULS from IIT
Bombay.
July, 2022
Aug, 2022
Oct 9-13, 2022
Final Team Submissions
Final Submission Judging
Final " shark-tank " style Judging
and Energy Access Workshop at
ECCE, with team presentation
opportunities, awarding of Global
Prizes and Student Team Prizes
See website for further details: Register your team today!
For more information, to register your team, to become involved in the Energy Access
Community go to www.empowerabillionlives.org
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MPEL.2021.3099516
September 2021 z IEEE POWER ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE 91
http://www.empowerabillionlives.org
IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - September 2021

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