E-Mail IMAGE: Brandon Grainger (left) and Paul Ohodnicki received $820,000 from the Office of Naval Research to create new materials and manufacturing processes for ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors. view more Credit: University of Pittsburgh As electrification advancement accelerates and more renewables are integrated into the electric grid, improved power electronics systems are needed to convert AC or DC power into a usable form. New semiconductor device materials and advanced magnetic materials can enable an unprecedented combination of voltage levels and power handling capabilities. However, the latest class of new switching devices, which use so-called ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor materials, will also require improved soft magnetic materials and manufacturing approaches not currently available.