Against the backdrop of escalating climate crisis and rising global energy demand, governments and industries around the world are committed to achieving ambitious climate goals to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure a sustainable future. The core of these efforts is to transition towards electrification, reduce carbon emissions, and embrace renewable energy. To accelerate this transformation, ON Semiconductor has launched its latest silicon carbide technology platform: EliteSIC M3e mosfet.

The press conference was chaired by Dr. Mrinal Das, Senior Director of Marketing for Power Solutions at Anson Mei Corporation, and highlighted the potential and impact of this technology in a detailed meeting. Dr. Das holds a doctoral degree in SiC MOSFET and has 30 years of industry experience. He highlighted the transformative process of SiC technology over the past 30 years.

Dr. Das said, 'It has been an incredible journey to see an emerging technology achieve its current success and drive the Earth towards achieving sustainable development goals.' The new generation of SiC MOSFETs aims to improve energy efficiency and support the transition towards sustainable alternatives.

Due to the alternating arrangement of carbon and silicon atoms, SiC is described as a 'diamond containing some silicon'. This structure has excellent semiconductor properties, such as high dielectric strength and thermal conductivity, making it an ideal choice for power devices. The characteristics of SiC can achieve higher switching frequencies, reduce the size and cost of passive components, and more efficient systems, while relaxing thermal management requirements.

This is the real reason why silicon carbide stands out and becomes the next generation semiconductor leader to replace silicon, "said Dr. Das.

Global electricity consumption

Global electricity consumption is mainly driven by three major sectors: industrial activities, transportation, and data centers. Each field has unique needs and challenges that have a significant impact on overall energy use and environmental impact.

Industrial activities are one of the largest areas of electricity consumption in the world. These activities often heavily rely on fossil fuels, which not only deplete limited resources but also cause environmental pollution and climate change. Industrial combustion of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. Transitioning to more sustainable energy sources is crucial for reducing the environmental footprint of industrial operations.

The transportation industry is another major consumer of electricity, especially with the popularity of electric vehicles. From a historical perspective, the transportation industry has always been dominated by internal combustion engine vehicles, which rely on gasoline and diesel. These fossil fuels are not only limited, but also generate harmful emissions. Transitioning to electric vehicles is a positive step towards sustainable development, as electric vehicles can be powered by renewable energy sources. However, the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles needs to be expanded and optimized to effectively support this transformation.

In recent years, the demand for electricity in data centers has grown exponentially. This growth is mainly due to the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence and other data intensive technologies. Data centers require a large amount of electricity to operate servers, cooling systems, and other infrastructure. As artificial intelligence continues to integrate into various aspects of daily life, energy consumption in data centers is expected to further increase. This trend highlights the need for more efficient power solutions to manage the growing demand.

Electrification is a key strategy for addressing global challenges related to electricity consumption. By transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move towards a more sustainable energy future. Onsemi's SiC technology plays a crucial role in this transformation by providing efficient semiconductor components to improve the performance and efficiency of electrical systems.

The impact of SiC technology

SiC technology provides a solution by improving system efficiency. Even a 1% increase in efficiency would have a profound impact. For example, increasing the efficiency of electric vehicle traction inverters by 1% can enable electric vehicles to travel an additional 4 billion miles per year. Similarly, increasing the power supply of data centers by 1% can save $650 million in electricity costs annually. Improving industrial automation efficiency by 1% can save over $25 billion annually.

One percent may seem small, but when applied to large numbers, it can have a significant impact, "explained Dr. Das.

Overall solutions suitable for different markets

Onsemi's approach is comprehensive, providing not only components but also comprehensive solutions. This strategy is crucial for meeting the demands of various markets such as automotive, industrial, and data centers.

In the automotive industry, Anson's solutions enhance the power system and advanced safety systems of electric vehicles. The new SiC MOSFET is expected to make electric vehicles more efficient and reliable, thereby supporting a wider range of applications in electric transportation.

In the industrial sector, the focus is on renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and factory automation. By improving the efficiency of energy infrastructure and making factory automation more cost-effective, Anson's solutions help create a more sustainable and efficient industrial landscape.

EliteSiC and M3E MOSFET

Onsemi's SiC technology (branded as EliteSiC) is considered industry-leading. The latest product 1200-V 11-m Ω EliteSiC M3E MOSFET has significant improvements compared to previous generations. M3E technology can reduce conduction losses by 30% and switch losses by up to 50%, which is crucial for achieving system level efficiency.

Dr. Das said, "We are trying to use advanced technology to minimize the contribution of power semiconductors to system losses

The characteristics of EliteSiC make it perform well in various applications, especially in areas where high efficiency and reliability are crucial. In electric vehicle traction inverters, EliteSiC technology can provide over 20% power due to its low conduction loss. For high-speed applications such as chargers and power supply devices, the performance of M3E MOSFET is superior to previous solutions, making it a universal choice in different fields.

Dr. Das said, "The ability to operate at higher switching frequencies can reduce the size and cost of passive components, thereby achieving more efficient and cost-effective systems

Despite advances in trench technology, ON Semiconductor continues to innovate using planar technology, as its reliability and quality have been proven through decades of research and industry use. The company plans to ultimately adopt the trench technology after it has been fully optimized.

Dr. Das stated that 'the performance of flat technology is still superior to existing technologies in the market,' emphasizing the continued relevance of flat solutions.

Onsemi has undergone extensive testing and comparison with industry peers, proving its commitment to providing high-quality and reliable products. The company's flat technology has recognized stability and service life, making it a reliable choice for various applications.

Dr. Das said, "Our component performance is very stable, with a failure rate of less than one in a billion over the 20-year lifespan of the vehicle

One of Anson Semiconductor's main advantages is its vertical integration, from raw materials to finished power modules. This comprehensive control over the supply chain optimizes the solution at all levels, ensuring that each component contributes to improving the overall efficiency and performance of the system.

Dr. Das said, "Our vertical integration and internal expertise enable us to provide optimized solutions and accelerate the transition towards sustainable development

Future prospects and innovation

The launch of Ansenmei SiC MOSFET marks an important step towards a sustainable future. This technology, applied in various fields, will play a key role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving energy efficiency.

Dr. Das concluded, "We are driving the next generation of technology into the market. This is an exciting era of technology and sustainable development, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement

Fushite Technology focuses on the field of power devices, providing customers with power devices such as IGBT and IPM modules, as well as MCU and touch chips. It is an electronic component supplier and solution provider with core technology.