t Could Replace Silicon material as transistors

Silicon material that has survived 60 years as the main material as heart transistor semiconductor manufacturing potentially replaced by a new, more-efficient material. The replacement material called gallium nitride or GaN. Although it has not been used in computers, semiconductors GaN has started to be used in a prototype smart car, virtual reality devices, and ready to be held in a variety of consumer electronics products.

Mr. revolution GaN once physicist and CEO of Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) Alex Lidow entire career trying to find a material that can run faster electronics operation and able to withstand working conditions more severe than silicon.

Then, just two decades, men aged 60 this year along with dozens of other scientists have brought GaN-based transistors of experiments to be produced on standard semiconductor factory. "For the first time in 60 years, I can say that now I can make it better and cheaper," said Lidow.

He explained, made of GaN transistors can be turned on and off more quickly and be able to withstand higher voltages than silicon. Another advantage, with GaN, the product is possible to create a smaller but still perform faster, smarter, and energy efficient.

Because GaN transistors can be turned on and off faster than silicon. allows to control it with more precision. As a result, companies can create electrical power conversion system smaller and efficient for use in industrial or home.

Professor of electrical engineering and computer engineering at the University of California Santa Barbara Umesh Mishra stated, when the entire device is replaced with a GaN-based transistors, forecasted electricity savings equivalent to 40 nuclear power plants per year.