Please introduce yourself

My name is Niwton, and I was born in Rosário do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, in 1995. I received my B.S. degree (with honors) in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Alegrete, Brazil, in 2018, and both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil, in 2020 and 2024, respectively. I’m currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Power Electronics Group of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech).

Where did you first hear about TalTech, and why did you decide to do your research here?

As far as I remember, the first time I heard about TalTech was during my master’s studies, when I began learning how to do research with more experienced students and professors. Through this experience, I realized that in my field (power electronics), TalTech had, at that time, four well-known researchers working on related topics: Dmitri Vinnikov, Andrii Chub, Andrei Blinov, and Oleksandr Husev. Later, in 2022, a Brazilian researcher named Edivan Laercio Carvalho, who got his Ph.D. from the same university as I did, moved to Estonia to work with these researchers in the Power Electronics Group (PEG). Although having a fellow Brazilian in Estonia and PEG helped facilitate my move, the most important factor that allowed me to come was the strong alignment between my academic background and PEG’s research focus. Both my M.S. and Ph.D. studies were based on a technique called “partial power processing,” which has been one of the main research topics within the group. Then, after meeting Mr. Andrii Chub in person in Brazil in 2023 and discussing the possibility of continuing my work on this technique in Estonia, we stayed in contact. Just two months after completing my Ph.D. in 2024, I moved to Estonia, and I have now been here for almost one and a half years. Looking back, I can see that it was the right decision for my career.

What were your expectations about living in Estonia? Have they been met?

I must admit that I expected cold weather, but not temperatures as low as around −20 °C, as I experienced this winter, nor the short and dark days of December and January. On the other hand, I didn’t expect to enjoy the snow, the Northern Lights, or hiking on winter days as much as I do. Moreover, spring and summer here are truly amazing, with so much nature, fresh air, and a lot of things to see and do. But my favorite part of the city is the Old Town, which is simply stunning. I also didn’t expect such a high level of organization in services and public transportation (which is free for residents). In addition, traveling outside Tallinn is very convenient, with several options such as bus, train, ferry, and plane. Overall, life here is very smooth and free of complications.

Tell us more about the Power Electronics Research Group at TalTech. What is your research focusing on, particularly?

The research in PEG focuses on the development and experimental validation of advanced power electronic solutions for demanding applications such as renewable energy generation, automotive systems, and DC microgrids, for instance. The research directions include the synthesis of new converter topologies, the development of advanced control and protection algorithms, the integration of novel components, and the formulation of design guidelines aimed at improving efficiency, power density, reliability, and flexibility of power electronic converters. Specifically, my research has focused on a power-optimized, reliable, intelligent, and sustainable DC module for data center servers. This solution is developed as part of the Data Centre Demonstrator within the Shift2DC project funded by the Horizon Europe program.
 

What does a regular day for a researcher look like?

We basically work on different tasks at different levels, depending on what is needed at any given time. For me, at least, this includes simple activities such as answering emails, attending meetings, supervising students, and participating in volunteering activities, as well as more demanding work such as conducting laboratory experiments, writing scientific papers, and organizing seminars, workshops, and conferences. There are also more enjoyable aspects of the job, such as traveling for business trips, presenting our work at international events, and welcoming visiting researchers and collaborators. Overall, the work is quite diverse.

What has been the most unexpected, positive, or funny experience you’ve had with Estonians while living here so far?

I would say that I didn’t expect to start enjoying saunas, spas, and water parks as much as I do now. In Brazil, these activities are not really part of our culture or everyday routine, so it was a completely new experience for me. In addition, one of the greatest experiences I’ve had with Estonians and other foreigners was participating in a football tournament last March. It was a great opportunity to socialize and meet new people, and I could feel as if I were at home while playing.

What do you miss the most back in Brazil?

That’s easy: the food and the culture of football in my daily life. But I also miss my family, friends, and my old little dog.

Is it easy to meet the Brazilian community in Tallinn?

Yes, it is relatively easy to meet a Brazilian in Tallinn, mainly because there are around 230 million Brazilians, so we are basically everywhere. And we are well known for our warm and friendly behavior, so if two Brazilians run into each other, the chances of staying in touch and hanging out later are quite high. This is important for us as a way of maintaining a connection to our Brazilian roots.

What would you recommend to future Brazilian students who are considering joining TalTech?

If you are in doubt, give it a chance. It might change your life, as it changed mine. I know Estonia might not be the first destination choice for students and researchers, and many people don’t even know where it is, but it offers a unique life experience. From the well-defined seasons to the medieval atmosphere, everything is here. Most importantly, you can have a peaceful and safe life in a well-organized country.