And power semiconductors, which offer a more reliable power source, are going to take center stage for investors in the months ahead. Power semiconductors are designed to receive, process and switch hundreds or thousands of volts. They refine electricity from generators, batteries or wall outlets into a more usable form, cleaning up the dips and spikes and providing a more reliable power source that won't be subject to shortages. Now that computing and communications are merging into the same box, the need for power semiconductors is exploding. I used IGBTs in the controller of my Bonneville Land Speed Record electric car.
Clean power is an important, fast-growing niche in the semiconductor business.
As we rely more and more on technology and computing in our daily lives, the demand for power semiconductors will continue to accelerate at a rapid pace. The two leading chip companies are International Rectifier and IXYS . In addition, some of the superconductor companies like American Superconductor have technologies for data transmission and uninterruptible power systems. I haven't advised my Technology Investing readers to buy any of these stocks just yet, because none of them currently meet my proprietary Great Growth Flow investing criteria. However, I am closely following this very important area, and we plan to get in on the action as soon as the time is right and a leader emerges.