Introduction 1 . 1 Importance of Packaging in Power Electronics

Power electronics, as defined by Thomas G. Wilson, is:" The technology associated with the efficient conversion, control and conditioning of electric power by static means from its available input form into the desired electrical output form." The goal of power electronics is to realize power conversion from an electrical source to an electrical load in a highly efficient, highly reliable and cost-effective way. The application of power electronics includes a variety of fields such as energy storage, transmission and distribution, pollution avoidance, communication, computer systems, propulsion and transportation. Power electronics modules are key units in a power electronics system. As the integration of power switches, device gating, sensors, controls and actuators, power modules can be used to perform energy transfer, storage and conditioning.