Graphene Semiconductor, EV Industry: China/Europe, Ultracapacitors, SiC, Energy Harvesting, PowerUP Podcast and more
Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Content Editor & Technical Writer | Ph.D in Physics | Power Electronics, Wide Bandgap, Renewable Energy, Embedded Systems, Quantum Computing
Welcome to my newsletter dedicated to power electronics enthusiasts. If you'd like to contribute to it, please don't hesitate to contact me. Today, the newsletter reached more than 11,190 subscribers! Thank you!
In the electronics industry, a new era may be dawning. Joint research by China and the U.S. has created the first graphene material with semiconducting capabilities and 10× the electrical mobility of silicon.
A research team from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Tianjin University in China, led by Georgia Tech physics professor Walter de Heer, has achieved an important milestone in the field of electronics: the creation of the first functional semiconductor made from graphene. This was achieved by growing graphene on a silicon carbide substrate to give rise to a semiconductor with 10× the mobility of silicon’s electrons.
De Heer began studying the electronic properties of graphene, a single sheet of carbon atoms held together by the strongest known bonds, in 2001. In graphene, electrons move by encountering very low resistance, which, in electronics, results in faster processing and less heat generation. The novel graphene semiconductor, which is compatible with conventional microelectronics processing methods like silicon, has the potential to enable smaller, faster and fewer heating electronic devices.
This revelation arises at a juncture when silicon, the substance utilized in the production of almost all contemporary electronic equipment, is approaching its maximum capacity in light of the escalating demands for faster computing and smaller electronic devices.
The study, published in Nature, explains how researchers were able to overcome the main problem that has so far hindered the adoption of graphene in electronics: the absence of the bandgap, an electronic property that allows semiconductors to turn on and off when an electric field is applied. This is the minimum energy that allows an electron to move from its valence band to its conduction band.
From the Invention of EVs to the Primacy of China’s EV Industry—What About Europe?
By Filippo Di Giovanni
Europe and the U.S. dominated the car industry for many years, from the invention of internal-combustion engines (ICEs) and electric propulsion implemented on rudimentary prototypes, until Japan and then Korea stepped in and gained preeminent positions, thanks to dedicated corporation models like keiretsu in Japan and chaebol in Korea. Then the urge to switch over to electric vehicles to help save the planet prompted Tesla, a company with no previous experience in car manufacturing but with a tailored and agile business model, to reinvent EVs and become the most successful manufacturer of battery-operated vehicles.
Today, Tesla?has a market cap of?$695.83 billion, after peaking $1.1 trillion in Q1 2022. And this is still larger than the combined market cap of the next five carmakers, totaling $618.196 billion (Toyota, VW, GM, Ford and Honda). No sooner have historic brands tried to realign their strategy to the EV manufacturing model than Chinese entrants have successfully broken into the market with the target of dictating the new rules. Let’s see how the market is being transformed as a result of new and aggressive players.
Empowering a Sustainable, Efficient Future with SiC
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
SemiQ Inc., a semiconductor company specializing in the development and manufacturing of silicon carbide power devices, expanded its QSiC power module lineup with a new series of 1,200-V SiC power MOSFETs in half-bridge packages.
According to SemiQ, these modules, designed for ultra-efficient, high-performance and high-voltage applications, promise reliability in demanding conditions. Their compact design facilitates high-power–density implementations, curbing dynamic and static losses. With a high breakdown voltage (>1,400 V), they support high-temperature operation (Tj = 175°C) while maintaining a low on-state resistance (RDS(on)) shift across the entire temperature range.
How Are Ultracapacitors Driving Advances in Energy Storage Technology?
By Emily Newton
Ultracapacitors, also known as supercapacitors, are electrochemical energy storage devices with significant power density and higher capacitance than solid-state capacitors. People are eagerly exploring how to use them for energy storage, which may result in power sources that charge faster or are usable for various applications across industries. Even though work in developing supercapacitors for energy storage may involve unexpected challenges, success will bring numerous benefits that positively change society and create fascinating opportunities.
CES 2024: WePower develops energy-harvesting generator prototypes using electromagnetic induction
By Abhishek Jadhav
WePower Technologies has launched at CES three prototypes of energy harvesting generators, part of its Gemns EHG line, based on the mechanism of electromagnetic induction to achieve higher voltage levels compared to existing EHGs. The primary objective of these solutions is to support self-sustaining wireless devices, eliminating the need for batteries. This approach is expected to reduce maintenance costs and environmental impact.
Scaling Up SiC Crystal Growth to Meet Escalating Demand
By Del Williams
Due to the complexity of growing quality silicon carbide (SiC) crystals, manufacturers need help obtaining sufficient systems to meet global production targets. Leading suppliers now offer specialized, customizable solutions for manufacturers’ unique IP and process requirements.
Improving Performance of Low-Voltage Industrial Motor Drives with SiC
By Sonu Daryanani
Silicon carbide–based power electronics are transforming power conversion in electric vehicles and industrial applications. In this article, we will review a webinar delivered by Pranjal Srivastava, Strategic Market Developer at Wolfspeed, on the benefits of power electronics based on SiC in low-voltage industrial motor drives.
EVs Life Cycle Assessment: a key tool for the electrification industry
By Giordana Francesca Brescia
The growing adoption of EVs in the automotive industry has led to a focus on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), an essential tool for evaluating and quantifying the overall environmental impact of a product throughout its entire cycle of life, from production to disposal, or as they usually say, “from the cradle to the grave”.
Wine Down Friday with Advanced Energy’s Conor Quinn
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
领英推荐
Conor Quinn, an esteemed figure in the energy sector, unravels the intricacies of career advancement and strategic planning within the industry. With power electronics taking center stage, he navigates its evolving landscape, witnessing new technologies emerge every decade or two. Beyond the professional realm, he offers a glimpse into his personal world, touching on family, soccer and books. Wine Down this Friday with Conor!
Preparing for the EV-lution with Bidirectional Charging
By Gopal Mitra
Today, more electric vehicles are hitting the roads than ever before, especially with new legislation and government sustainability goals. When considering the prospect of many vehicles requiring high-speed charging all at once—essentially the equivalent of high-traffic gas stations and rest stops—the limited capabilities of the grid come into play. In this session, Gopal Mitra will discuss the advantages of bidirectional charging and how it can be leveraged to help address this challenge.
A Pathway to Sustainable Energy: Optimized Energy Harvesting and Efficient Grid Integration
By Simon Keeton
Renewable and sustainable energy sources are at the heart of our planet’s future climate. To unleash the full potential of sustainable energy sources, efficient energy harvesting and grid integration are two key enablers. They ensure maximum energy extraction and optimum utilization of renewable energy sources. These factors are critical in minimizing power-conversion losses, enhancing energy distribution and ensuring that sustainable energy sources are as reliable, powerful and cost-competitive as traditional ones. Silicon carbide solutions, backed by vertical integration, emerge as a clear solution for the key requirements of sustainable energy generation and consumption. SiC revolutionizes green energy systems with improved efficiency and resilience. Furthermore, end-to-end vertical integration is essential to ensure the availability of high-quality products that allow for full system design flexibility.
Powering Efficiency and Performance of Systems with GaN (Podcast)
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
In today’s episode, we will provide insights into the latest breakthroughs in power systems and gallium nitride semiconductor technology, as well as an exciting development known as SuperGaN from Transphorm. The guest of this episode is Philip Zuk, SVP of business development and marketing at Transphorm. Transphorm and other companies, such as Nexperia, manufacture normally off cascode devices. A primary benefit of this configuration strategy is the backward compatibility of the gate drive with silicon MOSFETs. Join us as we explore the competition between silicon, silicon carbide and GaN, promising consumers more efficient, cost-effective systems in the tech landscape.
Infineon GaN solutions enable new V2X charging systems by OMRON Social Solutions
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Infineon Technologies has formed a relationship with OMRON Social Solutions Co. Ltd., a leading firm in the field of social systems technology. The integration of Infineon’s high-quality gallium nitride (GaN) powered solutions with OMRON’s advanced circuit architecture and control technology has resulted in the development of one of Japan’s most compact and lightweight vehicle-to-everything (V2X) charging systems by OMRON Social Solutions.
Bourns Releases Industry’s First Planar Signal BMS Transformer
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Bourns introduced the first planar signal BMS transformer in the market. The U.S. patented Bourns? Model SM91806 Planar Signal BMS Transformer fulfills the demand for planar technology that can ensure dependable and secure communication in an expanding range of high voltage electric vehicle (EV) and other high energy storage systems.
New SiC wafer supplier deal with SK Siltron CSS boosts Infineon’s multi-sourcing approach
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Infineon Technologies has established a formal partnership with SK Siltron CSS, a provider of silicon carbide (SiC). SK Siltron CSS will supply Infineon with 150-millimeter SiC wafers of superior quality and competitiveness, which will aid in the manufacturing of SiC semiconductors. SK Siltron CSS will have a significant role in helping Infineon shift to a 200-millimeter wafer diameter in a later stage.
Littelfuse Introduces Advanced Overtemperature Detection Solution for EV Li-ion Battery Packs
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Littelfuse has unveiled TTape?, an innovative overtemperature detection technology aimed at revolutionizing the control of Li-ion battery systems. TTape is a cutting-edge solution that efficiently addresses premature cell aging in automotive systems and mitigates the dangers of thermal runaway accidents. It offers new features and unsurpassed benefits.
Honeywell and NXP collaborate to enhance building energy management
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio
Honeywell and NXP Semiconductors have just announced their collaboration at CES 2024, where they have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the efficiency of energy consumption in commercial buildings through improved sensing and secure management mechanisms.
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