Manuel Gärtner
Director – Wide bandgap & Electrification
STMicroelectronics
Manuel Gärtner is Director of Wide Bandgap & Electrification for automotive applications at STMicroelectronics Munich. Leveraging his extensive expertise in smart power product development and advanced research from prestigious institutions such as the University of Berlin and Fraunhofer Institute ISiT, Manuel drives innovation and excellence in automotive power electronics at ST.
His leadership accelerates ST’s position as a pioneer in wide bandgap technologies, enabling the company to deliver cutting-edge, energy-efficient solutions tailored for the automotive sector. With over 50 technical publications and multiple patents, Manuel contributes deep technical knowledge that fuels ST’s competitive edge and thought leadership.
Beyond his technical impact, Manuel strengthens ST’s industry influence through active roles on the EEHE Scientific Advisory Board, the SIA POWER TRAIN & ELECTRONICS scientific committee, and the technical program committee for the upcoming CIPS 2026 Conference. As principal partner representative and board member of ECPE, he ensures ST’s strategic collaboration and visibility in the global power electronics ecosystem.
Presentations
3 decades of SiC innovation leading to 200mm production and full vertical integration
STMicroelectronics' began researching SiC in June 1996 with the physics department of University of Catania and the CNR national research institute shortly after, forming an ecosystem to foster leading edge innovation. Over the years, ST established a full vertical supply chain from raw material to the final device, with processed wafer sizes evolving from 2” to the current 8” standard allowing high volume production. Today, more than 5 million vehicles are powered by outstanding ST SiC devices and modules, and the automotive market will continue driving the rapid rise in demand and innovation surrounding this extraordinary semiconductor technology.