Gallox is pioneering the use of next-generation semiconductor gallium oxide, or Ga2O3, to improve the efficiency of power conversion. Ga2O3 offers a 3x performance improvement over the incumbent material, silicon carbide, at a fraction of the cost when fully deployed.
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Jon McCandless
Jon McCandless is the founder and CEO of Gallox Semiconductors, a startup that uses gallium oxide to improve power conversion efficiency. After graduating from Case Western Reserve University, McCandless worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory where he co-authored several foundational Ga2O3 papers. McCandless continued his education at Cornell University under Debdeep Jena. During his Ph.D., McCandless received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. In 2024, McCandless, Jena, and Grace Xing launched Gallox, which has been awarded a Breakthrough Energy Fellowship.
TECHNOLOGY
Critical Need
Globally, much attention is devoted to how energy is produced and how efficiently it is used. However, from the moment energy is generated to the point where it performs useful work, it undergoes multiple power conversion processes. Because of the inefficiency of these conversion processes, approximately two-thirds of the energy is lost, resulting in two-thirds more energy being produced than is needed to do useful work.
Technology Vision
Gallox is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of power electronic conversion processes by utilizing gallium oxide-based devices. Over the past decade, the unique properties of gallium oxide have positioned it as the next-generation semiconductor for power electronics, and will enable transistors and diodes to be >3x more efficient than incumbent technologies.
Potential for Impact
With Ga2O3 as the cornerstone of power electronics, ultra-fast EV charging—under five minutes—becomes a reality, removing a major barrier to EV adoption. Electric grids become easier to maintain through the widespread use of solid-state transformers, which reduce system complexity and improve reliability. Data centers, factories, and infrastructure all benefit from lower electricity losses and reduced operating costs. As Ga2O3 scales, it accelerates global electrification, enabling a cleaner, more resilient, and accessible energy future.
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Gallox Semiconductors