Who is Luo Weiwei? Former NASA scientist now building China’s semiconductor empire

Luo Weiwei, a former NASA scientist with 15 years of experience in aerospace research, has become a pivotal figure in China’s semiconductor industry. After earning her doctorate in applied mathematics from Massey University in New Zealand, she joined NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, where she advanced rocket fuel technology and eventually became chief scientist. In 2015 she returned to China and founded Innoscience, focusing on gallium nitride technology. With government backing, local supply chains, and private investment, the company rapidly scaled, mass-producing 8-inch GaN wafers, now controlling nearly 30 percent of the global GaN market and partnering with Nvidia for AI data centers.Luo’s 15 years at NASA provided her with deep expertise in materials science and engineering, which she applied to the emerging field of GaN semiconductors. Unlike traditional silicon chips, GaN offers higher energy efficiency, smaller size, and the ability to operate at higher voltages, making it critical for next-generation electronics and energy systems. Luo made the bold decision to produce 8-inch wafers rather than the more common 6-inch versions, a move that dramatically increased performance per unit cost but also raised technical complexity. Her vision allowed Innoscience to leapfrog industry norms and become a global leader in a fraction of the time it would take competitors.Founded in Suzhou, Innoscience is now the largest dedicated GaN manufacturer in the world. The company produces integrated circuits, wafers, and modules for diverse applications including fast chargers, 5G base stations, AI data centers, LED lighting, electric vehicles, aerospace systems, and defense technology. China controls nearly all global gallium production, producing 98 percent of the supply, which gives Innoscience a strategic advantage. By developing GaN technology domestically, Luo has created a company that not only leads in production but also supports China’s broader goal of technological self-reliance.Luo’s journey was not without obstacles. When Western suppliers refused to sell crucial machinery due to export restrictions, her team sourced secondhand equipment and leveraged China’s local supply chains to build capacity. Patent disputes and legal challenges in the United States and Europe tested the company, including rulings in Germany and the US over intellectual property, yet Innoscience continued to expand its production and maintain a leading edge. Luo’s ability to combine technical expertise with strategic thinking has positioned the company as a resilient player in the high-stakes global semiconductor race.Gallium nitride is transforming electronics and energy applications worldwide. Compared with silicon, GaN chips operate at higher voltages and temperatures, deliver better energy efficiency, and allow for smaller, more compact devices. These advantages make them essential for applications ranging from consumer electronics and electric vehicles to military communications and aerospace systems. By advancing GaN technology, Luo has strengthened China’s position in a sector that underpins global competitiveness and national security.Innoscience continues to scale production, with output approaching 70,000 wafers per month and a growing presence in AI data centers and other high-tech markets. Luo Weiwei’s leadership demonstrates how vision, technical expertise, and strategic use of local resources can turn scientific talent into global industry impact. Her story highlights a broader trend in which China leverages returned talent to gain technological advantages in critical sectors, challenging traditional industry leaders in the United States and Europe.