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Power Cube Semi, Inc., a company specializing in power semiconductors, will develop high-voltage gallium oxide semiconductors for electric vehicles with Hyundai Motor’s Institute of Fundamental and Advanced Technology (IFAT). It is planning on securing technology that can produce high-power device at low cost, and commercializing next-generation power semiconductors.
 
Power Cube Semi announced on the 13th that it was selected as the ‘1200V-class gallium oxide power semiconductor development’ project organization of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy’s ‘Material and parts development (Run together)’ with Hyundai Motor Company.
 
Power Cube Semi and Hyundai Motor’s IFAT is planning on securing power semiconductor that is equipped with advanced technology by using gallium oxide, which is considered the next-generation power semiconductor material. This is the first time that Hyundai Motor Company participated in a national project for the development of materials and parts to develop power semiconductors.
 
Gallium oxide is a compound semiconductor material similar to silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). It acts as a more stable semiconductor at a higher voltage than the conventional silicon (Si) semiconductor material, and is more useful in automotive semiconductors. It allows miniaturization and yields higher efficiency. Gallium oxide also gains an edge in price competitiveness due to its lower manufacturing costs. The manufacturing costs is 20-30% lower than SiC and GaN materials. Due to its advantages, it is in the spotlight as a next-generation material in automotive semiconductors; however, Japan is currently leading the market.

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Power Cube Semi has previously succeeded in developing Korea’s first 600V-class diode using gallium oxide through a joint research with IFAT. With the previous experiences and technology, Power Cube Semi and IFAT are developing a 1200V-class gallium oxide diode, which is a double the voltage of the previous material.
 
The company is preparing to produce a prototype after completing the development of a 600V-class gallium oxide diode. Power Cube Semi plans to diversify its technology portfolio in order to meet various demands.
 
Power Cube Semi expects that 1200V-class diode will be applied as a built-in, on-board charging (OBC) in the electric vehicle. One OBC usually charge two high-voltage diodes. Taking this into consideration, it is estimated that there will be a demand for 500,000 high-voltage diodes by 2025. According to Power Cube Semi, the market size is about 50 billion won. Power Cube Semi hopes to complete the development of 1200V-class diode technology by early 2023.
 
The head of Power Cube Semi Research Center, ShinSoo Kyung, who oversees the research and development business, said, “Ultimately, we will play a leading role in the global automotive semiconductor market by developing gallium oxide materials, parts, equipment, and technology in Korea.”
 
 
By Staff Reporter DongJun Kwon djkwon@etnews.com