High voltage high current semiconductor devices and its new application-future power electronics possibilities for social infrastructure

Effective and efficient use of electrical power will become more important for coming highly electrified society. In the highly electrified society, power electronics will become essential means for processing electrical power effectively. Power semiconductor devices (power devices) are key components of power electronics as one of typical switching technologies in electrical engineering. Power device history and future advanced power devices are discussed focusing on high voltage and high current power devices.