Strategies for Wide Bandgap, Inexpensive Transistors for Controlling High-Efficiency Systems
Program Description:
Innovation Need:
Power switching devices are critical to America’s energy infrastructure because all electronics—from laptops to electric motors—rely on them to control or convert electrical energy from a high voltage to a low voltage in order to properly operate. However, most of today’s high-voltage power electronics systems are based on silicon (Si) semiconductor devices, which have notable performance limitations. It is important to improve the performance and efficiency of these high-power systems because they are used to connect solar panels and wind turbines to the grid, to operate industrial equipment like elevators and HV/AC systems, and to run the motors in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles—among other important applications.
Potential Impact:
If successful, SWITCHES projects would significantly lower the cost and improve the energy efficiency of power switching devices, a critical component of America’s energy infrastructure.
Security:
Advances in power electronics could facilitate greater adoption of electric vehicles, which in turn could help reduce U.S. oil imports.
Environment:
More efficient power electronics systems promise reduced electricity consumption, resulting in fewer harmful energy-related emissions.
Economy:
More efficient power electronics would use less energy, saving American families and business owners money on their power bills.
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Project Listing
• Avogy - Vertical GaN Transistors
• Columbia University - Spalling GaN Transistors
• Cornell University - GaN Power Transistor
• Fairfield Crystal Technology - GaN Crystal Substrates
• HRL Laboratories - Vertical GaN Transistor
• iBeam Materials - GaN LEDs on Flexible Metal Foils
• Kyma Technologies - GaN Substrate Technology
• Michigan State University (MSU) - Diamond Semiconductor Devices
• MicroLink Devices - High-Power Transistor Fabrication
• Monolith Semiconductor - Advanced Manufacturing for SiC MOSFETS
• SixPoint Materials - Vertical GaN Substrates
• Soraa - Low-Cost GaN Substrates
• University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara) - Vertical GaN Devices