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Researchers in Residence: exploring the thermal behaviour of GaN transistors

Date: 13.06.2025

Topics: Academic Collaboration

A person works on a laptop displaying code in a power electronics lab with equipment in the background. - CSA Catapult
Dr Sheng Wang, lecturer at Cardiff University, wears glasses and a gray checked suit against a plain beige wall. - CSA Catapult

Dr Sheng Wang is a lecturer at Cardiff University and research fellow at CSA Catapult.

His work helps to bridge the gap between academic research and industry, creating innovative solutions based on compound semiconductors.

As part of the Researchers in Residence (RiR) Programme, Dr Wang has been exploring the under-researched thermal performance of gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, which are critical to a range of power electronics applications such as electric vehicle chargers, renewable energy systems, a more resilient energy grid and future data centres to power AI computing.

A close-up of a GaN transistor on a light background. - CSA Catapult
Person in a lab coat uses a handheld thermal imager, highlighting innovation through academic partnership in the lab. - CSA Catapult

GaN transistors offer superior performance to traditional silicon devices, such as faster switching, but may generate more heat – compromising reliability, pushing up cooling costs, and ultimately limiting their broader adoption.

This has created the need for precise, non-invasive methods to measure and model the thermal behaviour of compound semiconductor-based transistors.

Beyond this, fast and accurate design optimisation of GaN power converters is also difficult – meaning further research into accurate GaN models and appropriate optimisation methods is needed.

Addressing the thermal management challenge

Dr Wang and CSA Catapult have collaborated to develop a new measuring technique to efficiently explore the link between temperature-sensitive electrical parameters and junction temperature within GaN devices.

This new scalable method characterises the thermal behaviour of GaN transistors during fast-switching transients – pushing beyond the limits of conventional silicon-based systems.

This will support the roll-out of GaN technology within applications related to Net Zero and improve the reliability of new devices. Dr Wang and the team have also created AI-powered simulation models that help to optimise power converters – increasing knowledge-sharing across academia and industry, with the results shared in journals and at conferences such as PEMD.

Importantly, the project underscores the value of collaboration – playing a part in securing two new funded projects, growing the links between CSA Catapult, Cardiff University and industry and setting the stage for future joint work.

CSA Catapult has also increased capabilities in GaN power devices and the AI-driven design optimisation of converters. This partnership brought academic insights to industry applications, and helped the Catapult grow wider professional networks in power electronics.

“Being a Researcher in Residence with CSA Catapult has been an inspiring and transformative journey. I’m deeply grateful to the team at CSA Catapult for their openness, expertise, and unwavering support throughout our collaboration.

“Working together to advance the thermal characterisation and modelling of gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, as well as developing AI-driven tools for GaN converter design, has been both intellectually rewarding and practically impactful. What also stood out was the unique opportunity to bridge academic research with industrial innovation, translating cutting-edge ideas into real-world solutions.

“This partnership not only accelerated progress towards Net Zero through pioneering compound semiconductor technologies, but also reaffirmed my belief in the vital role of us in shaping the future of power electronics.”

Dr Sheng Wang, Cardiff University and Researcher in Residence at CSA Catapult

About the Researchers in Residence programme

The RiR programme at CSA Catapult began in 2023 and saw three researchers join CSA Catapult’s power electronics team at the Innovation Centre in Newport. The scheme is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council with the aim of encouraging engagement with academia and placing researchers within the Catapult Network to gain knowledge and experience and work on key global issues, such as climate change.

This partnership with Dr Sheng Wang laid the foundation for future joint venture in GaN research and has led to opportunities for follow-on studies into areas like battery energy storage and hydrogen fuel cells.

The advanced GaN models and AI-powered characterisation for GaN power convertors has unlocked tools that can be used for future innovation and helped staff to upskill.

The project is a clear example of the Catapult’s role in bridging the gap between academia and industry and its outcomes are supporting the shift towards cleaner, sustainable energy solutions for the future.

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