Next-Generation Power Converters: Gallium Nitride’s Role in Efficiency

As the demand for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence continues to accelerate, the infrastructure powering these systems faces a critical challenge: managing energy more efficiently at scale. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are addressing this bottleneck by integrating gallium nitride semiconductors into power converter technology, marking a significant step forward in hardware design.

The Evolution of Power Conversion

Power converters serve as the silent workhorses of the digital age. These devices manage semiconductor switching to transform voltage and current, ensuring that electricity flows safely and reliably between power sources and electronic equipment. Traditionally, these converters have relied on silicon semiconductors as their primary building blocks.

However, silicon is reaching its physical limits in terms of efficiency and speed. To overcome these constraints, the ORNL research team utilized gallium nitride semiconductors—provided by ROHM Semiconductor—to develop a new breed of power converter. Unlike silicon, gallium nitride enables switching speeds that are 10 to 20 times faster, while significantly reducing energy loss during the conversion process.

Why Gallium Nitride Matters for Data Centers

The research, conducted at ORNL’s Grid Research Innovation and Development Center (GRID-C), highlights how this material can bridge critical performance gaps in modern energy systems. By adopting gallium nitride, the resulting converters are not only more efficient but also more compact and lighter than their silicon-based predecessors.

This reduction in size and weight offers tangible benefits for large-scale infrastructure, particularly in the rapidly expanding sector of artificial intelligence. As Prasad Kandula, a researcher involved in the project, noted, the physical footprint of these components is a vital consideration for enterprise data centers. With modern data centers housing hundreds or even thousands of servers—each potentially requiring multiple converters—the cumulative savings in space and weight can be substantial.

Key Advantages of the New Converter Design:

• Increased Efficiency: Faster switching speeds result in less energy wasted as heat.
• Compact Footprint: Smaller, lighter components allow for more flexible facility designs.
• Improved Scalability: The ability to manufacture more affordable and manageable converters supports the rapid scaling of data center projects.

Looking Ahead

The work at GRID-C represents a broader trend in engineering: moving toward materials that can handle the high-density power requirements of the future. As AI models become more complex and data centers grow in capacity, the ability to optimize power delivery will be a deciding factor in both sustainability and operational costs.

By demonstrating the practical application of gallium nitride in power conversion, the ORNL team has provided a blueprint for more resilient and efficient grid systems. As this technology matures, it is likely to become a standard consideration for any organization looking to optimize power infrastructure for the next generation of computing.

Citation: New semiconductor building blocks make power converters smaller, more affordable (2026, May 21). Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Retrieved May 21, 2026.