“The young engineers participating in the GaN Systems Cup are helping define the future of the power electronics industry, and their focus on next-generation GaN-powered designs will help drive innovation in energy conservation, emission reduction, and new energy utilization,” said Jim Witham, CEO of GaN Systems. “We are delighted to be part of this important competition for eight consecutive years, and we applaud these engineers as they strive to define the future in power electronics.”

This year’s teams are challenged to create a GaN-based 400V photovoltaic power supply design that uses GaN Systems’ semiconductors to meet the following evaluation criteria:

·      A low-cost design with 360VDC~400VDC input voltage, 220VAC output voltage, and total harmonic distortion (THD) of < 3% @400VA output.

·      Greater than 93% efficiency, 10W/in³ power density, and be able to run continuously at 25ºC for 30 minutes.

Hosted by the China Power Supply Society (CPSS) and Hefei University of Technology, more than 160 teachers, students, and power electronics practitioners attended the virtual launch ceremony. Professors Ma Mingyao and Zhao Jiwen of the Hefei University of Technology, and Dr. Zhang Jinfa, Vice Chairman of the China Power Supply Society and Chairman of the Science Popularization Committee, presided over the ceremony. Paul Wiener, Vice President of Marketing of GaN Systems, discussed the importance of higher-performing power electronics—and the role of GaN technology in driving critical improvements.

Finalists will be announced on August 25, and winners will be recognized during an on-site awards ceremony in November during the CPSS Annual Conference. Designs will be judged on design criteria, functionality, ingenuity, and presentation quality. More than 100 colleges and universities have participated in this annual competition since its launch in 2015.

The “GaN Systems Cup” receives support from GaN Systems, Ningbo Xici Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., Zhuhai Taiwei Electronics Co., Ltd., Edex Electronics Co., Ltd., and Minye Science and Technology Information (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.