Seminar— From medicine to defense: The impact of power semiconductor devices on creating a sustainable society

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC— Jayant Baliga, Ph.D., an internationally known expert on power semiconductor devices and distinguished professor at North Carolina State University, will present a seminar titled "From medicine to defense: The impact of power semiconductor devices on creating a sustainable society," on Oct. 22, at RTI International. 

The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Dreyfus Auditorium in the Haynes Building at RTI. The seminar is part of the RTI Fellows Seminar Series and sponsored by Distinguished Fellow RKM Jayanty. 

Power semiconductor devices are at the heart of modern power electronics, and used in a wide variety of sectors including consumer, industrial, medical, transportation, lighting and renewable energy generation. The devices are seen in power electronic converters in the form of on-off switches.

At this seminar, Baliga will discuss how power semiconductor devices have significantly impacted creating a sustainable society by improving the comfort and convenience of people worldwide, while reducing energy consumption.

Baliga developed and commercialized the insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a significant semiconductor used in electronic ignition systems, adjustable speed motor drives, and compact fluorescent lamps. During the past two decades, the IGBT has saved consumers more than $15 trillion by reducing world-wide gasoline consumption by more than one trillion gallons and reduced electrical energy consumption by more than 50,000 terra-watt-hours.

In 2011, President Barack Obama presented Baliga the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to an engineer. The honor recognized Baliga for his development of the IGBT and other power semiconductors that are used across multiple sectors.

He also received the 2012 North Carolina Award for Science, the highest honor given to a civilian by the state, and the 2014 IEEE Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He has written and edited 18 books and more than 550 publications, and been issued 120 U.S. Patents.

The event is open to the public, and lunch will be provided.