The new diodes that deliver benefits for manufacturers
Diodes are semiconductor devices that conduct electrical current in one direction. Small diodes play a key role in energy conversion systems that support modern life, such as solar cell inverters, uninterruptable power supplies, electric vehicle inverters, and battery chargers. The supply chain of products that together enable the manufacture of these goods and support booming market demand for such products is also critical. The smaller and more energy-efficient an energy-conversion system is the better, as this can lead to technical, environmental, and economic benefits.
While innovation is critical to improving diode performance, new developments usually bring with them costly refitting of diode manufacturing technology or large capital investment requirements and the need for more steps in the process of diode manufacture.
Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre's proud involvement
Led by Professor Sima Dimitrijev, researchers at Griffith University’s Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre have developed a new method to produce silicon carbide Schottky diodes. The technology, which has been patented, results in a simpler and more reliable device, which takes significantly less time for manufacturers to produce (reduced from weeks to days)—a feature that is addressing supply chain issues by a tenfold increased throughput. The new silicon carbide diodes do not require costly capital expenditure as they utilise the traditional silicon manufacturing technology, making them an attractive option for existing manufacturers who can obtain the savings from reduced diode production time and avoid large capital costs.
By utilising superior material properties of silicon carbide, the higher blocking voltage and higher thermal conductivity of these diodes enables smaller and more efficient power-conversion systems to resolve the requirements and limitations in applications such as battery-operated vehicles.
Attracted by the high-throughput and low cost advantages of Griffith’s diode technology, companies are establishing manufacturing processes and capacity for mass production of Griffith’s newly developed silicon carbide Schottky diodes.
Professor Dimitrijev and his team are actively engaged in the technology transfer with commercial manufacturers with the support of the Griffith Enterprise team who has helped to negotiate several licences of the technology internationally. Griffith Enterprise, the University's commercialisation office includes business development, patent filing and maintenance for the novel technology.
Sima Dimitrijev
School of Engineering and Built Environment - Electrical and Electronic Engineering