Denso and FLOSFIA develop power semiconductors to enhance performance of α-Ga2O3

According to foreign media reports, Denso and FLOSFIA have cooperated in the research and development of next-generation power semiconductor devices to reduce the energy consumption, cost, size and weight of inverters for electric vehicles.  FLOSFIA is a startup company separated from Kyoto University.

Both parties intend that the cooperative R&D project will increase the energy efficiency of the power control units of electric vehicles. This is a key element in promoting the promotion of electric vehicles and aims to provide safer and more sustainable mobile travel programs.

In addition to cooperative research and development, Denso also participated in FLOSFIA's Series C financing and acquired some of its new shares. Professor Shizuo Fujita of Kyoto University took the lead in attempting to use gallium oxide (α-Ga2O3) with a corundum-type crystal structure in semiconductor devices. The performance of α-Ga2O3 semiconductors is superior to other semiconductor devices on the market, with an energy band gap of 5.3 eV and high electrical breakdown field strength, which means that they are more resistant to high voltage applications. .

In 2011, Kyoto University founded FLOSFIA, which has now become a global leader in the development and commercialization of α-Ga2O3. The company aims to create future mobile travel solutions through connected cars, autonomous driving and electrification technologies. Technology is quite interested. As a result, the two companies will further develop the technology and use it for hybrid, electric vehicle high voltage products (including semiconductor products).

Denso has been providing power control units (PCUs) for hybrid and electric vehicles since 2007. The unit uses an inverter designed to control the battery-to-motor generator power supply. In order to make efficient use of electrical energy, it is important to use inverters to reduce energy consumption in the DC-to-AC conversion process. To this end, Denso is developing low-loss semiconductor devices.