Atomera Incorporated has taken a step forward in its efforts to improve gallium nitride manufacturing after its GaN-on-silicon concept advanced to the proposal stage of a competitive funding program focused on wide-bandgap power semiconductors.
The semiconductor materials and technology licensing company said its concept paper was accepted under a PowerAmerica Institute Initiated Proposal program aimed at accelerating innovation in wide-bandgap technologies. The submission outlines a proposed collaboration with industry and scientific partners to apply Atomera’s Mears Silicon Technology to GaN-on-silicon processes.
If approved at the proposal stage, the project would become eligible for PowerAmerica funding. That support would allow Atomera to further develop and scale its approach to GaN-on-silicon manufacturing. The company said the work focuses on improving material quality, increasing wafer-level yields, and enhancing device-level performance, key challenges that continue to limit the cost efficiency of GaN power devices.
GaN is widely viewed as a critical material for next-generation power electronics. It enables higher switching speeds, improved efficiency, and smaller system designs compared with conventional silicon-based components. However, manufacturing GaN on silicon substrates has faced persistent yield and cost barriers, slowing adoption in high-volume applications.
Atomera’s proposal highlights how its proprietary Mears Silicon Technology can improve GaN film quality when formed on standard silicon wafers. The company believes this could help reduce defect density and variability, translating into better manufacturing yields and lower die costs.
“Compound semiconductors, and GaN specifically, are important for the continued advancement of wide-bandgap semiconductors,” said Scott Bibaud, chief executive officer of Atomera. He noted that low yields remain one of the biggest obstacles to broader GaN adoption and said the company is focused on addressing this challenge through process-level innovation.
PowerAmerica, a U.S. manufacturing institute, supports the commercialization of wide-bandgap power semiconductor technologies. Its programs aim to advance devices that are smaller, faster, and more energy efficient than traditional silicon-based solutions. Atomera said participation in the initiative reflects its commitment to collaborative development and to strengthening the domestic ecosystem for advanced power semiconductor manufacturing.
