Challenges In Powering Electrification With GaN And SiC


The wish list of device properties that designers of power management systems would like to have is lengthy, but no single material is yet sufficient for the full range of power control applications. For control transistors to handle power surges, breakdown voltages should be at least triple the expected operating voltage — 1.2 kilovolts or more for many electric vehicle applications, and ... » read more

Sustainable Rail Transportation With High Power SiC Modules: Part 2


In the first part of this blog, we had a look at how energy-efficient high-power modules contribute to the decarbonization of railway transportation. This part will focus on the future of traction: high-power silicon carbide modules, their key features, and the multiple system benefits they enable. Silicon carbide power modules and hybrid-propulsion trains: It’s a match! As we inch toward... » read more

Sustainable Rail Transportation With High Power SiC Modules: Part 1


The process of electrification of railways, though crucial for achieving net-zero climate targets, is nevertheless far from being complete.  Let's delve into how high-power semiconductor technologies are accelerating the decarbonization of rail transport, making it cleaner, safer, and smarter. Decarbonization of transportation: Unraveling the global picture According to the International Ene... » read more

Cooling Technology For Next Gen Power Electronics


A new technical paper titled "Advances in Two-Phase Cooling for Next Power Electronics Converters" was published by researchers at ROMA TRE University, ENEA Casaccia Research Center and Sapienza University. "The proposed arrangement allows a greater extraction of the heat at a very low flow rate of the cooling fluid, even with standard industrial-grade heat-sinks, which motivates the use of ... » read more

Driving Cost Lower and Power Higher With GaN


Gallium nitride is starting to make broader inroads in the lower-end of the high-voltage, wide-bandgap power FET market, where silicon carbide has been the technology of choice. This shift is driven by lower costs and processes that are more compatible with bulk silicon. Efficiency, power density (size), and cost are the three major concerns in power electronics, and GaN can meet all three c... » read more

SiC Power Electronics Packaging: Floating Die Structure and Liquid Metal Fluidic Connection (Cambridge U. )


A new technical paper titled "Liquid Metal Fluidic Connection and Floating Die Structure for Ultralow Thermomechanical Stress of SiC Power Electronics Packaging" was published by researchers at Cambridge University. Abstract "Coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of various materials in packaging structure layers vary largely, causing significant thermomechanical stress in power electroni... » read more

Automotive Semiconductors Require Integrated Test Solution


The automotive semiconductor test market is experiencing organic growth as chipmakers produce higher volumes of devices serving an array of automotive applications. In addition, the range of applications for automotive-grade semiconductors is evolving as the technology advances. Manufacturers of automated test equipment (ATE) are adapting to ensure their systems can handle devices ranging from ... » read more

Power Stage Selection Considerations For High-Current Voltage Regulators


There are several key things to consider when selecting a power stage for high-current voltage regulators: What area does the power stage need to fit in? What is the continuous output current? What is the maximum peak current? This should not exceed the peak current rating of the power stage. What is the power loss for sustained output current? This can be calculated... » read more

Liquid Cooling And GaN: A Winning Combination


Data centers are facing an unprecedented transformation due to the surge in generative AI and other emerging technologies. A single ChatGPT session consumes 50 to 100 times more energy than a comparable Google search, escalating data center rack power requirements towards 200 kW or more, presenting serious challenges for operators. Cooling, in fact, takes up about 40% of the power requireme... » read more

Efficient Electronics


Attention nowadays has turned to the energy consumption of systems that run on electricity. At the moment, the discussion is focused on electricity consumption in data centers: if this continues to rise at its current rate, it will account for a significant proportion of global electricity consumption in the future. Yet there are other, less visible electricity consumers whose power needs are a... » read more

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