Semiconductor technologies for powering micro chips in the information age: from source to load

The electric power generated from various sources (oil, gas, fossil fuels, nuclear sources, etc.) flows through long transmission lines and is eventually tapped by various loads from the electric utility grids. The same electric power flows through a host of electronic appliances, including those that power the Internet. In every electronic device, wired or wireless, semiconductor microchips are present and consume a significant amount of this electric energy. The cost, performance and reliability of this "PowerNet" are of paramount importance in this century since they ultimately decide the quality of information and life. This paper will discuss the current status and emerging trends in key semiconductor power electronic switching devices used in the PowerNet at various stages of power conditioning.