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GaN / LATEST NEWS / WBG3 Min Read
Transphorm, Inc. announced that its GaN platform powers the world’s first integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems from DAH Solar Co., Ltd. (Anhui Daheng New Energy Technology Co., LTD/subsidiary of DAH Solar). The PV systems are used in DAH Solar’s new SolarUnit product line. DAH Solar credits Transphorm’s GaN FETs with enabling it to produce smaller, lighter, and more reliable solar panel systems that also offer higher overall power generation with lower energy consumption.
The design achievements continue to demonstrate Transphorm’s One Core GaN Platform, Crossing the Power Spectrum leadership position by solidifying its value proposition in the renewables market, which currently represent a GaN TAM of more than $500M.
DAH Solar uses Transphorm’s 150 mΩ and 70 mΩ GaN FETs in the SolarUnits’ design architecture (both DC-to-DC and DC-to-AC power stages). The SolarUnits are available in three models with power outputs of 800 W, 920 W, or 1500 W and peak efficiencies of 97.16%, 97.2%, and 97.55% respectively. The GaN devices deliver higher switching frequencies and power density versus incumbent silicon solutions. Notably, the two FETs are available in PQFN88 performance packages that pair with commonly-used gate drivers—features that helped DAH Solar quicken its design time.
“We have a strong legacy of producing innovative PV products. As such, we consistently look for ways to advance our products with state-of-the-art technologies to create a better, more efficient end user experience,” said Yong Gu, GM, DAH Solar. “We view Transphorm as an authority in the field of GaN production and found their advanced GaN FETs to be the optimal devices for our new SolarUnit line. The devices are easy to design in and offer performance advantages that enable us to continue building on our legacy.”
Transphorm today supports the largest range of power conversion requirements (45 W to 10+ kW) across the widest range of power applications. The company’s FET portfolio includes 650 V and 900 V devices with 1200 V devices in development. These FETs are JEDEC and AEC-Q101 qualified, making them optimal solutions for power adapters and computer PSUs through to broad industrial UPSs and electric vehicle mobility systems.
The company’s technology innovations continue to set new benchmarks across the GaN power semiconductor industry. In parallel, they help customers bring to market new, disruptive applications in their own markets—such as DAH Solar’s PV systems.
These achievements are due to Transphorm’s normally-off SuperGaN® platform, which uses the cascode d-mode configuration to harness GaN’s intrinsic advantages. The superior physics of this high performance GaN platform design delivers competitively unmatched benefits such as easier drivability, easier designability, higher reliability, and greater manufacturability.
“The value Transphorm’s GaN platform brings to a variety of applications continues to be demonstrated by market leaders like DAH Solar,” Kenny Yim, Vice President of Asia Sales, Transphorm. “Solar inverters as well as other high-power applications require highly reliable, high performing power semiconductors that can withstand decades of operation in harsh environments.
Using Transphorm’s SuperGaN technology helps reduce power loss thereby minimizing thermal stress on other designed-in components. That’s a phenomenal achievement over alternative GaN and Silicon solutions underscoring the benefits our GaN brings to next generation power systems.”
Original – Transphorm
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onsemi announced that Christina Lampe-Önnerud was appointed to its board of directors, effective September 1, 2023.
Lampe-Önnerud is a highly regarded founder and business leader, having served as chief executive officer of two separate companies, and is also considered an expert in the energy storage space. Among her unique global experience, she has been active in multiple domestic and international government delegations as an authority on energy technologies.
As a two-time World Economic Forum (WEF) Technology Pioneer, who has served as co-chairman of the WEF Global Future Council on Energy, she continues to be engaged in multiple initiatives throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
“Christina brings a wealth of experience as a pioneer and innovator in battery technologies designed to improve energy storage and power consumption,” said Alan Campbell, chair of onsemi’s board of directors. “Her work, values and passion are well-aligned with onsemi’s strategic priorities focused on delivering innovative technologies for the automotive and industrial end-markets that deliver a sustainable future, and we look forward to her invaluable contributions to the board.”
“onsemi’s ambition to deliver industry-leading power and sensing technologies that will transform our world’s energy usage is where I’ve dedicated my life’s work,” said Christina Lampe-Önnerud. “It is an exciting time to be joining the board to support the leadership team as they continue to execute on the strategy and drive long-term shareholder value and sustainable results.”
Lampe-Önnerud holds more than 80 patents on designs, products, devices, components, materials, and processes. She has over 25 technical publications in scientific journals focusing on science and thought leadership. She is also frequently tapped as an expert commentator in media interviews and regularly speaks at government and industry conferences on power and energy issues.
Lampe-Önnerud received both a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and calculus and a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Uppsala University, Sweden. She completed her post-doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she serves on the Visiting Committee. In 2022, she was honored with the King’s Medal, one of Sweden’s most prestigious awards, for her work in producing safe, low-cost, high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
Original – onsemi
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CVD Equipment Corporation appointed Dr. Ashraf Lotfi to its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors also approved an expansion of the number of directors from the current level of five to six.
“We are delighted that Dr. Lotfi has agreed to join our Board,” said Lawrence J. Waldman, Chairman of CVD Equipment Corporation’s Board of Directors. “His extensive semiconductor and power electronics device industry expertise, and proven track record of bringing innovative technologies to market, will be invaluable as we execute our core strategy focused on the electrification of everything.”
Dr. Lotfi is currently a venture partner with Deep Sciences Ventures and serves on the board of Lotus Microsystems, ApS. Dr. Lotfi previously served as Vice President and a Fellow at Intel Corporation. Prior to Intel, he was Power Chief Technology Officer for Altera Corporation serving its Enpirion Power Business as well as the broader Field Programmable Gate Array community. Altera was acquired by Intel in 2015. Prior to Altera, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Enpirion, Inc., which he founded in 2002.
From Enpirion’s inception, Dr. Lotfi led its strategic direction with a unique industry‐first vision to create the ultimate power converter‐on‐chip creating ubiquitous DC‐DC conversion at the silicon level. In 2013, he led Enpirion’s merger into Altera to realize his vision of highly integrated power management closely coupled to leading‐edge digital silicon loads. Prior to founding Enpirion, he was Director of Advanced Power Research at Bell Laboratories.
Manny Lakios, President and CEO of CVD Equipment Corporation, also commented, “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Lotfi to our Board of Directors. His in-depth knowledge of the power electronics market and his track record of scaling the Enpirion Power Business will allow him to immediately contribute to our management team and Board of Directors as we pursue the pipeline of customer opportunities in our key strategic markets of high-power electronics, battery materials/energy storage and aerospace and defense.”
Dr. Lotfi stated, “I am very delighted to join CVD Equipment Corporation. Its long history and solid IP capabilities, particularly in silicon carbide, the essential enabling technology for electrification, form a strong basis for continued growth and participation in critical parts of vital applications and growth markets.”
Original – CVD Equipment