STACK #219 January 2023

TECH FEATURE

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GaN CHARGERS ARE GO!

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GaN technology brings faster, cooler and more energy efficient charging of your devices. But what is it, how does it work, and why is it becoming the go-to component of chargers?

MOPHIE Speedport 120W 4-Port GaN Charger Super-fast charging for up to four devices at once with USB-C power delivery and a

maximum shared output of 120W. The Speedport features 3x USB-C PD ports and 1x USB-A for charging older devices.

BELKIN 108W 4-Port GaN Charger

This compact desktop GaN charger will simultaneously charge up to four devices, or fast charge up to two devices using USB-C 3.0 Power Delivery. Includes 2x USB-C ports and 2x USB-A.

I t’s a prudent decision to send students off to school with fully charged devices, but in the morning rush it’s something that’s easy to overlook. We’ve all impatiently watched the battery level interminably inch towards 100 per cent when a full charge is urgent, and wished for a faster solution. The good news is that GaN chargers provide that solution. A relatively new charging technology, these chargers incorporate gallium nitride (GaN) as a semiconductor rather than the more common silicon used in traditional chargers and a plethora of other electronic tech. A key component of LED lighting, gallium nitride’s tough, crystal-like make-up can conduct higher voltages over longer periods, and current passes faster through GaN components, with a power conversion rate of over 95 per cent. This means that the increased output can charge devices three times faster than traditional chargers. GaN also produces less heat, so the charger won’t become hot to the touch like a standard one that’s been powering for a long time. This makes them a much more energy efficient option for charging devices, not to mention safer. A lot of power is required to charge a device, and GaN chargers pack it into a light and

compact block. As well as the convenience of high speed charging, they are also more durable and have a longer lifespan than traditional chargers. A GaN charger is the game-changing accessory that we’ve been waiting for, providing fast, energy efficient charging and the peace of mind that a flat phone can now be restored to full power in a third of the time it usually takes.

A quick gander at GaN Gallium nitride (GaN) is a crystalline chemical compound on the cusp of potentially dethroning silicon as the foundation of power switching technology. It’s a component of LEDs and the laser diodes that read Blu-ray discs, as well as military radar. And with its low sensitivity to ionising radiation, it can also be found in solar cells and satellites. GaN is non-toxic, which presents possibilities for use in the electronic components of biomedical implants.

ALOGIC Rapid Power 65W GaN Wall Charger An essential addition to school bags, this single port GaN charger features USB-C Power Delivery and is half the size of a traditional charger. Includes 2m 65W charging cable.

22 JANUARY 2023

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