SILICON PULSE - Final Competition
SILICON PULSE 2024, organized by the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) Student Branch Chapter of Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC), was a transformative 24-hour journey into the intricate and exciting world of analog electronics. Held on January 9th and 10th, 2025, the event aimed to ignite a passion for innovation among undergraduates from universities across Sri Lanka, fostering deeper technical knowledge through a mix of hands-on tasks, real-world applications, and collaborative learning.
The event brought together twelve teams from various universities, selected through an online selection test conducted on January 2nd, 2025, ensuring a competitive yet inclusive platform for aspiring engineers. Supported by key sponsors like GPV Lanka Pvt Ltd (Bronze Partner), CodeChefs (Digital Media Partner), Volfpack Energy (Gift partner), and the IEEE IES Sri Lanka Chapter, the event underscored the collective commitment to advancing engineering education.
The event commenced with opening remarks by moderators Adithya Gunasekara and Sachila Chathnuka, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the oil lamp. Chathila Walgama, Chairperson of SILICON PULSE, delivered an inspiring welcome speech, officially kickstarting the 24-hour immersive program.
The event was graced by eminent guests, whose insights enriched the proceedings:
-
Prof. Nihal Kularatna, Professor of Electronics Engineering, University of Waikato, New Zealand
-
Dr. Nicoloy Gurusinghe, Department Head and Senior Lecturer, SLTC
-
Dr. Chamith Chandrarathne, Senior Lecturer, SLTC
-
Representatives from GPV Lanka Pvt Ltd
-
Dr. Migara Karunarathne, Joint Department Head and Senior Lecturer, SLTC
-
Mr. Ashan Pathirana, Lecturer, SLTC
The program featured engaging sessions, including "Concept to Implementation" by Prof. Nihal, where participants learned to translate ideas into functional designs. Other highlights included seminars like "Traps for Young Players", "Theory into Practice", and "Marking Rubrics - Meeting the Spec", which bridged theoretical knowledge with practical insights. Hands-on sessions allowed participants to brainstorm, refine, and test their designs under the guidance of mentors, while strategically timed breaks kept the teams energized throughout the challenge.
The event culminated with the award ceremony, attended by distinguished academics:
-
Prof. Nihal Kularatna
-
Dr. Nicoloy Gurusinghe
-
Dr. Chamith Chandrarathne
-
Prof. Janaka Ekanayake
-
Dr. Lasith Yasakethu
-
Dr. KAD Sumanasiri
The ceremony celebrated the exceptional efforts of participants, with top-performing teams receiving awards and all participants being recognized with certificates for their contributions. The inclusive atmosphere highlighted the event's goal of nurturing talent and fostering a sense of community among young engineers.
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Tharushi Nadunika, Secretary of SILICON PULSE, and closing remarks by the moderators, acknowledging the collective efforts that made the event a success. A group photo captured the spirit of camaraderie and achievement, creating lasting memories for all involved.
SILICON PULSE 2024 was more than a competition—it was a celebration of innovation, learning, and collaboration. By providing a dynamic platform for undergraduates to explore and excel in analog design, the event embodied the mission of the IEEE IES Student Branch Chapter of SLTC, inspiring the next generation of engineers to innovate, create, and lead. This landmark event stands as a beacon for the bright future of engineering and technology in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
-
Add Event to Calendar
- Contact Event Host
-
Lakshitha Abeywickrama
Chairperson of the IEEE IES Student Branch Chapter of SLTC
+94705015789
- Co-sponsored by GPV Lanka Pvt Ltd (Bronze Partner), CodeChefs (Digital Media Partner), IEEE IES Sri Lanka Chapter, Volfpack Energy (Gift partner)
- Starts 19 December 2024 03:30 PM UTC
- Ends 30 December 2024 06:30 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Prof.Nihal Kularatna
Concept to Implementation
Prof. Nihal Kularatna, Professor of Electronics Engineering at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, delivered an inspiring session titled "Concept to Implementation" at SILICON PULSE 2024.
He highlighted the journey from theoretical ideas to practical, market-ready solutions, focusing on innovative problem-solving, effective design strategies, and avoiding common pitfalls. Prof. Nihal also emphasized the importance of transitioning prototypes into scalable and cost-efficient products.
By introducing the design task for the day, his talk energized participants and set the stage for the 24-hour design challenge.
Biography:
Prof. Nihal Kularatna is a distinguished electronics engineer with over 45 years of experience spanning industry, academia, and research. Beginning his career in aviation ground electronics (1976–1982), he installed and commissioned navigation and communication systems. He later worked as a diagnostic and maintenance engineer in digital telecommunications, including early cellular systems, in the Middle East (1982–1985).
During his tenure at the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (1985–2002), he was involved in industrial research and professional development programs, and held the position of CEO in 1999. In 2002, he moved to academia, joining the University of Auckland as a senior lecturer and later the University of Waikato, where he continues his impactful work.
Prof. Kularatna’s research focuses on supercapacitor-assisted (SCA) techniques, power converters, and energy efficiency, resulting in multiple patents and over 160 refereed publications. He has authored ten reference books and is frequently invited to present at IEEE conferences and Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) events.
A recipient of numerous accolades, including the NZ Engineering Innovator of the Year 2013 and UoW Postgraduate Research Supervision Excellence Award 2021, Prof. Kularatna continues to inspire through his groundbreaking work and passion for electronics engineering.
Email:
Address:University of Waikato, HAMILTON, New Zealand, , New Zealand
Dr.Nicoloy Gurusinghe
Housekeeping, Rules and regulations
Dr. Nicoloy Gurusinghe, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at SLTC, played a pivotal role throughout SILICON PULSE 2024. He provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the event's rules, regulations, and logistics during the housekeeping session.
Dr. Nicoloy conducted a seminar titled "Marking Rubrics - Meeting the Spec," clarifying the evaluation criteria and guiding participants on aligning their designs with set specifications. Additionally, he delivered an insightful session on "Tips & Tricks," offering practical advice to enhance design quality.
Biography:
Dr. Nicoloy Gurusinghe is the Head of Department and a Senior Lecturer in Electronics Engineering at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Sri Lanka Technology Campus (SLTC).
Email:
Address:Colombo, Sri Lanka, , Sri Lanka
Dr.Chamith Chandrarathna
Theory into practice
Dr. Chamith Chandrarathne, a Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at SLTC, delivered a highly engaging seminar titled "Theory into Practice." This session focused on bridging theoretical concepts with real-world applications, providing participants with practical insights into the implementation of their designs.
Dr. Chamith's seminar inspired participants to approach problem-solving with a balance of creativity and technical rigor, enriching their overall learning experience during the event. His expertise and practical advice were instrumental in helping participants elevate their designs to a professional standard.
Biography:
Dr. Chamith Chandrarathna is a Senior Lecturer (Grade II) in Electrical Engineering, at Sri Lanka Technology Campus,Padukka.
Email:
Address:Colombo,Sri Lanka, , Sri Lanka
Agenda
|
Time |
Description |
|
Day 1 |
|
|
11.00 -13.00 |
Opening Ceremony ● Welcome Speech ● Rules and Regulations - by Dr. Nicoloy ● Discussion on "Concept to Implementation” & "Introduction to the Design Task" by Prof. Nihal |
|
13:00 - 13:50 |
Lunch |
|
13:50 - 15:50 |
Session 1 |
|
15:50 - 16:30 |
Seminar 1 (Traps for young players) by Prof. Nihal |
|
16:30 - 17:00 |
Afternoon Tea |
|
17:00 - 20:00 |
Session 2 |
|
20:00 - 21:00 |
Dinner |
|
21:00 - 21:30 |
Seminar 2 - Dr. Chamith, “Theory into Practice” |
|
21:30 - 23:30 |
Session 3 |
|
23:30-00:00 |
Coffee break |
|
Day 2 |
|
|
00:00 - 00:30 |
Seminar 3 - Dr. Nicoloy, “Marking Rubrics - Meeting the Spec” |
|
00:30 - 04:30 |
Session 4 |
|
04:30 - 05:00 |
Seminar 4 - Dr. Nicolay, “Tips & Tricks” |
|
05:00 - 06:00 |
Session 5 |
|
06:00 - 06:30 |
Concept to Commercialization by Prof. Nihal |
|
09:30 - 07:30 |
Final Stretch - Checkered Flag |
|
10:30 - 08:00 |
Tinkering Time & Demonstration Prep |
|
08:00 - 09:00 |
Evaluation |
|
09:00 - 10:50 |
Awards Ceremony |
|
10:50 - 11:00 |
Vote of Thanks |