Apr. 25, 2008 - Electronic parts maker Rohm and carmaker Nissan Motor are codeveloping a high-power semiconductor for use in controlling and converting power in electric cars and other equipment, according to the Nikkei daily.

The SiC semiconductors are made with a new structure developed by Nissan, the paper reports, and also uses polysilicon instead of metal on the chip substrate, allowing the semiconductors to withstand ~10x the electrical pressure of conventional chips.

Samples are already shipping, with Nissan now conducting verification tests; commercial production (no date provided) will be at Rohm's Chikugo plant in Fukuoka Prefecture. Future uses outside of cars include home appliances such as air conditioners and washing machines.