Optically Controlled 20 kV Gallium Oxide Power Switches for Grid Resiliency

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
ULTRAFAST
Award:
$3,122,356
Location:
Santa Barbara, California
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
05/07/2024 - 05/06/2027
Website:

Technology Description:

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is developing ultrawide-bandgap switching devices that would achieve a five times higher voltage than the state-of-the-art, enabling more sophisticated control methods for the grid. The proposed switching devices take advantage of beta-gallium oxide, an ultrawide-bandgap material that possess inherently superior properties compared with legacy silicon switching devices. UCSB’s switching device will be optically powered and controlled to limit the effects of electromagnetic interference.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Olga Spahn
Project Contact:
Prof. James Speck
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
speck@ucsb.edu

Partners

Ohio State University
Kyma Technologies, Inc.

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Release Date:
02/24/2023