New Faster, Lighter, Cheaper Technology May Solve Silicon Chip Shortage, Enhance Electric Cars

New Faster, Lighter, Cheaper Technology May Solve Silicon Chip Shortage, Enhance Electric Cars

Grass growing in the shape of a car with a cut out plug. Invest in alternative fuel solutions ... [+] concept. Necessity being the mother of invention, automotive manufacturers can soon move on from worrying about the silicon chip shortage to getting excited about how much better the replacement technology is, while the rest of us is find out just what gallium nitride (GaN) is. And by mid-decade, GaN technology my provide a spark to electric car sales by advancing range and the charging experience and making the concept more viable for the average motorist. Navitas Semiconductor, which along with others including GaN Systems, Power Integrations, Texas Instruments TXN , Infineon and STMocroelectronics, says GaN will provide the basis for the next generation of semiconductors, and will help to speed the adoption of electric cars, e-scooters and e-bikes. And it's not just for the automotive industry. "The next-generation (GaN) power semiconductor platform with up to 3x smaller, 3x lighter, 3x faster charging and 40% energy savings, is positioned for market leadership in the $13. 1 billion+ GaN electrification opportunity in mobile, consumer, enterprise, renewables/solar and EV/eMobility," Navitas said in an investor presentation. So what is GaN? It is often a