2023 Wide Bandgap Summer Workshop
August 8-10, 2023
Learn about the latest advances in the Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride power electronics ecosystem
PowerAmerica invites you to our annual Summer Workshop, August 8-10, 2023, on NC State’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh, NC. Expect great networking and presentations on the latest in the business and technology of silicon carbide and gallium nitride power semiconductors and applications.
The workshop includes:
- Keynote remarks by industry leaders
- WBG Tutorials by leading practitioners
- Reports on 10 SiC and GaN PowerAmerica member-funded projects
- Update on SiC and GaN market trends
- Roadmapping future PowerAmerica initiatives
- Commercialization Success Stories
- Ample networking opportunities
Please note: The meeting is for employees of PowerAmerica member organizations, including students, and invited guests. If you are interested in a guest invitation, please contact Rogelio Sullivan.
Please Thank Our Sponsors
Keynote Presentations
“Empowering a More Sustainable Future with SiC” – Clayton Pillion, Microchip
Clayton Pillion, VP Silicon Carbide Business Unit
Clayton Pillion is the vice president of Microchip Technology’s silicon carbide (SiC) business unit. A long-tenured employee of Microchip, Clayton joined the company in 2005 as a product marketer for the newly created 32-bit microcontroller business unit. He worked in various high-profile roles across Microchip, including starting the smart energy vertical market, leading the wireless solutions group and human machine interface division (HMID), as well as multiple corporate responsibilities. Prior to leading the SiC business unit, he was vice president of HMID.
Clayton earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University. Prior to joining Microchip, he held marketing roles at Intel and ON Semiconductor.
Presentation Abstract
With the main focus in SiC being electric vehicles, discussed less often is the further development of SiC toward higher voltages. This is critical because moving to 3.3 kV device ratings and above will expand the benefits of this disruptive semiconductor technology into areas where it’s just as badly needed as automotive. One example is the electric grid. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nearly 250 terawatt-hours of electricity is lost each year – wasted energy that could have powered 2.5 million American homes through all four seasons.
This talk will focus on how Microchip’s strategies of diversified end markets and investment in core competencies allow us to push SiC toward higher voltages—for an increasingly sustainable world. Whether SiC is used to dramatically improve the efficiency of our grid’s power flow, or to design compact, air-cooled solid-state transformers that better incorporate distributed energy resources like solar, wind and energy storage, SiC’s future goes well beyond the car.
“Update on SiC and GaN Market Dynamics” – Jeff Perkins, Yole
Jeff Perkins, Yole
Jeff established Yole’s business in North America from 2007 to 2012 and rejoined Yole Group in 2020 as EVP & GM for Yole North America. Jeff has managed divisions, led business development, mentored sales teams, and overseen product launches on four continents. He has a highly diverse background across a range of industries including energy and electrification, semiconductor, automotive, and heavy truck. Jeff holds an MBA from INSEAD at Fontainebleau, France, and a B.S. in Building Energy Engineering / from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
