Semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics has received an award for its new range of diodes.
The Electron d'OR 2009 award was provided by Electronique Magazine in the power conversion category.
ST's new family of silicon-carbide Schottky diodes were the reason for the award, chosen by an independent jury of electronics industry experts.
The new STPSC806D and STPSC1006D silicon-carbide diodes make use of the latest substrate technology to eliminate power-supply switching losses.
Ordinary diodes used in switch power supplies lose up to one per cent efficiency but the new ST technology can deliver greater efficiency because there is no reverse recovery charge.
Meanwhile, a range of new AC power switches launched by the firm have been designed to simplify the design of domestic appliances.
The new components are capable of achieving this by integrating international standard surge protection IEC 61000-4-5 usually provided by external components.