Episode 67 | Super Semiconductors | GaN Systems
I'll admit, I didn't really know the difference between microprocessor semiconductors (Intel/AMD) and the power semiconductors developed by this week's guest. Both models have used silicon and in one case, both are used in data centers.
Ottawa-based GaN Systems has developed next-generation power transistors using gallium nitride technology. First developed in the 1990s, GaN transistors helped usher in the LED era when blue LEDs where invented. This is also where Blu-ray got its name.
GaN semiconductors are notable for their fast-switching capability. According to Jim Witham, our guest and GaN Systems CEO, "Fast switching is important because it reduces power loss as it makes things more efficient."
The company was launched in 2008 and Jim joined the company when the semiconductors were finally ready for commercialization in 2014. Right now they focus on five sectors:
- Consumer electronics
- Data Centers
- Renewable energy
- Industrial equipment
- Automotive, particularly electric Vehicles
He says data centers could one day use up to 10% of the world's energy. Industrial equipment currently uses about 40% (30% of that is wasted as heat).
He admits one sector surprised him. "I didn’t think appliances would use [these] transistors," he says. "The motors are fairly small and a lot of work has been done on the efficiency of those motors as opposed to factory motors."
I was curious about availability. Jim says these chips use very little gallium, a mineral that is available around the world.
"I think the biggest impediment for any power electronics is it’s a very conservative industry," he says. "People need to do lots of testing to convince themselves they want to switch technology and realize the benefit. But over the last two years we’ve seen multiple companies go to production so we’re overcoming that barrier."
He says power semiconductor families change about every 20 years. Forty years ago, they were MOSFETs, followed by Super Junction MOSFETs, and now GaN. He believes the next generation may also contain gallium, but beyond that...
"Ultimately diamond is probably the best material for making power electronics out of," he says, "So maybe 40-50 years from now we’ll be making power transistors from diamonds."
Useful Links: