MaxEpic joins APEC 2025 debate sessions
At the Forefront of Power Electronics Innovation
MaxEpic was honored to participate in the APEC 2025 Debate Sessions, held on March 18, 2025 in Atlanta, as part of the annual Applied Power Electronics Conference. Designed to spark in-depth discussions on the most controversial and forward-looking topics in the field, these sessions bring together global leaders, engineers, and academics to share insights and challenge assumptions. The 2025 lineup featured critical topics such as Magnetics vs Capacitors, SiC vs GaN, and AI-driven Design in Power Electronics—making it one of the most dynamic programs to date.
This year, the sessions drew a full room of industry professionals, fostering real-time dialogue between panelists and the audience. Each debate was structured to showcase contrasting expert perspectives, followed by live engagement from attendees—making the sessions not just informative but interactive.
Jerry Zhai – Driving Technical Dialogue at APEC
MaxEpic President Jerry Zhai was invited as a featured panelist in Debate Session 1:
Magnetics vs Capacitors, where he joined senior executives and academic leaders to examine the critical bottlenecks in high-density power supply design. Jerry contributed his insights on the evolving roles of high density silicon capacitors and magnetics in TLVR (Transient Load Voltage Regulation), emphasizing practical strategies for reducing passive component footprint without compromising performance.
As the only panelist representing a rapidly scaling innovation-focused company, Jerry brought a balanced viewpoint that merged academic theory with hands-on engineering expertise. His remarks reflected MaxEpic’s broader mission—to lead with technical precision, challenge traditional design limitations, and collaborate across disciplines to shape the future of power electronics.
MaxEpic Joins the Canadian Semiconductor Mission to the UK
From March 12 to 19, 2025, MaxEpic participated in an incredible and productive international delegation as part of the Canadian Compound Semiconductor Mission to the UK. This strategic visit, spanning Edinburgh to Cambridge, offered unique access to some of the UK’s most advanced semiconductor ecosystems. It enabled MaxEpic to engage directly with global innovation leaders, academic institutions, and industry clusters focused on compound semiconductors, photonics, and deep tech.
Throughout the week, the delegation explored key semiconductor hubs across Scotland, County Durham, South Wales, and Cambridge. In Scotland, visits to Edinburgh and Glasgow opened doors to collaborative opportunities in power semiconductors, photonics and innovation commercialization. In the North East, the team visited CPI’s advanced research facilities, toured wafer fab at Pragmatic Semiconductor and participated in investment briefings from Business Durham and Invest North East England. Engagements with Durham University, Newcastle University, and Northumbria University provided valuable academic insights.
Exploring UK Excellence in Semiconductor Innovation
The tour continued through South Wales, where MaxEpic visited the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CS Catapult) to explore cutting-edge R&D capabilities and partnership opportunities in manufacturing and applications. The mission concluded in Cambridge, where delegates observed flexible chip technologies and discussed global scaling strategies for emerging semiconductor solutions.
The trip showcased the depth of the UK’s expertise in compound semiconductors and its alignment with Canadian strengths in advanced manufacturing and innovation. With global supply chains shifting under geopolitical pressures, the delegation reaffirmed the importance of fostering resilient international collaboration. By strengthening Canada–UK ties through joint R&D, strategic investment, and knowledge exchange, both countries are better positioned to shape the future of semiconductor innovation.
MaxEpic Participates in the 2024 Canadian Semiconductor Symposium
On October 9, 2024, Jerry Zhai, President of MaxEpic Inc., participated in a panel discussion at the 2024 Canadian Semiconductor Symposium held in Markham, Ontario. The event brought together semiconductor professionals, industry leaders, researchers, and government representatives for two days of dialogue focused on Canada’s semiconductor future. The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, opened the symposium by emphasizing that semiconductor innovation is a vital driver of economic growth for all Canadians. Technical sessions explored emerging technologies including photonics, compound semiconductors, MEMS, and quantum—pillars of Canada’s FABrIC initiative—while spotlighting national capabilities in manufacturing, design, and workforce development. Entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners shared their commercialization journeys and discussed opportunities to scale innovations in a globally competitive environment. Jerry Zhai shared insights from MaxEpic’s experience in building scalable solutions and highlighted the need for improved access to fabrication services in Canada.
As global policies such as the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act and the European Chips Act continue to shape international dynamics, the symposium emphasized Canada’s need for a focused, strategic approach. Participants stressed the importance of investing in high-growth areas like photonics, quantum technologies, AI-enabled systems, and advanced sensing devices, while calling for expanded domestic prototyping capacity to accelerate time-to-market. MaxEpic is proud to contribute to these national conversations and to play a role in advancing Canada’s position in the global semiconductor ecosystem.
