GaN Semiconductor Modules: Challenges and Future Opportunities

In episode 13 of the PCIM Podcast, Thomas Ebel, Professor and Head of Centre for Industrial Electronics at the University of Southern Denmark discusses the role of capacitors in modern power electronic applications and their future potential.

In episode 12 of the PCIM Podcast, Nina Sorokina and Wolfgang Bliemetsrieder from the University of the Bundeswehr Munich talk about individual transport concepts and proposed solutions in electric flight.

In episode 11 of the PCIM Podcast, Dominik Koch from the University of Stuttgart (Institute of Robust Power Semiconductor Systems) discusses the challenges and future opportunities of GaN Semiconductor Modules.

In episode 10 of the PCIM Podcast, Jörg Latzel, Sales Manager, Yokogawa Germany, talks about the relevance of different measurement types for different test challenges, the attention to detail that ensures accuracy, and the importance of understanding the needs of real applications.

In episode 9 of "Sound on. Power on.", Prof. Dr. Marco Jung provides an insightful overview of the current status and challenges of power electronics in hydrogen mass production, while also offering a glimpse into the future.

In episode 8 of "Sound On. Power On.", Frank Osterwald talks about how research, industry, society, and projects from materials and components, to control systems and sector coupling come together for the energy transition and climate protection.

Performance, speed, control and measurability – in episode 7 of "Sound on. Power on.", Michael Himmels, Head of Product Management at EA Elektro-Automatik, talks about the electrification of the world, technological challenges related to energy-hungry industrial applications and how modern power electronics contribute to overcome them.

The design and deployment of power converters are essential for the efficiency and smooth operation of our modern smart grids. In episode 6 of the "Sound On. Power On." podcast, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marco Liserre, Chair of Power Electronics, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, talks about the role of power converters in so many parts of the modern grid.

Magnetic materials have a special role to play in opening the bottlenecks in achieving higher power densities, higher frequencies, and smaller and lighter components for electrical power supply systems. This involves exploring new materials, new ways of combining materials, and new form factors. The results can stretch the specifications - such as frequencies up to the 10s of MHz - and reduce the challenges of cooling requirements, and skin and proximity effects, as well as the handling of resonant frequencies and the variety of fluxes in multifrequency components. Listen to the fascinating conversation between Prof. Marco Jung and Prof. Peter Zacharias, Head of the Department for Electrical Power Supply Systems at Kassel University, in episode 5 of the"Sound On. Power On." podcast.

The efficiency of switch-mode power supplies impacts energy use, from the consumption of the smart-phones in our pockets, to the photovoltaics powering our grids. Pushing that efficiency beyond today's 98% has an important role to play in fighting climate change - and energy costs. While the last 40 years have brought many advances in semiconductors, there is an increasing need for investment to improve the capabilities and properties of magnetic materials too. Prof. Marco Jung talks to Dr. Peter Wallmeier, Senior Director R&D at Delta Energy Systems, about the issues in episode 4 of the"Sound On. Power On." podcast. They also discuss the important opportunity presented by the combination of reactive loading, renewable power sources and storage in alleviating the voltage and frequency deviations that result from the increasing stresses on our modern, complex and interconnected power grids.