To address these issues, significant investments from major automakers are directed toward the research and development of batteries and on-board chargers (OBCs). Notably, the OBC, crucial for charging, must be compact and lightweight, while also functioning effectively in high-temperature conditions.

The “wide-bandgap” technology Dr. Freedy leverages for the onboard charger for electric vehicles research refers to higher-energy electronic band gaps. The difference in energy levels creates the semiconductor action as electrons switch between the two levels. As such, it permits devices to operate at much higher voltages, frequencies and temperatures than conventional semiconductor materials.