PRESENTATION
UK supply chain for embedded GaN semiconductors in power electronics
The electrification of transport, such as rail, automotive and now also aerospace, is driving the need for smaller, lighter, more efficient power converters. Billed as “the new silicon”, Gallium Nitride (GaN) is a semiconductor which can withstand stronger electric fields, higher temperatures and support much faster switching speeds which in turn means a reduction in size and weight of power converters. However, legacy supply chains and packaging technologies are not designed to make the most of GaN. Supported by the UKRI’s Driving the electric revolution challenge, the P3EP project is a consortium of organisations which seeks to create a UK supply chain for embedding GaN and facilitate the design and manufacture of power converters up to 90% smaller and lighter than current silicon-based solutions.
Joe Petrie
PPM Power
Joe Petrie has been involved in the product marketing of electronic components, particularly semiconductors for almost 25 years and has previously held UK, European and global roles at EPCOS, Hitachi/Renesas and NXP Semiconductors respectively. He is a graduate of Salford University, Reading University, Henley Business School and the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Joe is the lead for a £3.5M project involving a consortium of six organisations to build a UK supply chain for embedded GaN using pre-packages, partially funded by the URI’s Driving the Electric Revolution challenge.