Our advisory boards includes leading experts from across the semiconductor and MEMS sectors including 5G, IoT, Advanced Packaging, AI, Automotive Electronics, and Power Semiconductors.
Marnix Tack, Ph.D.
CTO & VP Business Development
Dr. Tack got a MSc degree in Electronic Engineering in 1984 from the Univ of Gent (Belgium) and a PhD degree in Microelectronics in 1990 from the Univ of Leuven & imec (Belgium). He got additional degrees in international business management and innovation leadership from the Vlerick Business School (Belgium), INSEAD (France), MIT (US) and IMD (Swiss). He joined MIETEC, a semiconductor company in Belgium in 1990, that became Alcatel Microelectronics, and was acquired by AMI Semiconductor in 2002 and ON Semiconductor in 2008.
In Feb 2022 he joined BelGaN that acquired part of onsemi in Belgium, as formerly CTO and VP Business Development.
Throughout the past 30+ years he was leading global professional teams in various fields of semiconductor R&D and Innovation, including Si CMOS & BCD, power MOSFETs and GaN. He also took the lead in setting up and driving a corporate innovation business process and global Open Innovation partnerships in the field of novel semiconductor technologies and products
Company Profile
Ralf Bornefeld
SVP Business Unit Power Semiconductors & Modules
Ralf Bornefeld is Senior Vice President with responsibility for the business unit Power Semiconductors & Modules at Bosch.
Before he held various management positions at Infineon Technologies AG: senior director technology in frontend production from 2005-2008, senior director engineering of automotive sensors until 2011 and finally vice president and general manager business line automotive sensors.
Ralf started his career at Elmos Semiconductor in 1992 as a technology development engineer. Afterwards he took several management positions until end of 2004, mostly serving as vice president of R&D and eventually as vice president of business line microsystems.
Ralf Bornefeld was born in Schalksmuehle, Germany, in 1964. He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Technical University of Dortmund in 1992.
Company Profile
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 428,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2023). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 91.6 billion euros in 2023. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT provider, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Bosch is pursuing a vision of mobility that is sustainable, safe, and exciting. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to facilitate connected living with products and solutions that either contain artificial intelligence (AI) or have been developed or manufactured with its help. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 90,000 associates in research and development, of which roughly 48,000 are software engineers.
Wolfgang Knitterscheidt
CEO & Owner
TBC
Company Profile
EUROCOMP supports Microchip Technology. Broadest Portfolio of SiC Products and Solutions
Microchip Silicon Carbide (SiC) power solutions provide the lowest system cost, fastest time to market and lowest risk. Microchip solutions include the industry’s broadest and most flexible portfolio of SiC diodes, MOSFETs and gate drivers in bare die, discrete, module and customizable power module forms. With over 20 years of experience in the development, design and support of SiC devices and power solutions, Microchip can help you adopt SiC with ease, speed and confidence.
SiC MOSFETs
Microchip SiC MOSFETs feature best-in-class avalanche ruggedness, short circuit capability and oxide lifetime.
SiC Diodes
Microchip SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) offer the widest range of solutions in the market.
SiC Bare Die
Microchip SiC bare die MOSFETs and SBDs are excellent options for advanced power circuits and provide significantly higher power density and efficiency.
Rainer Kaesmaier, Ph.D.
Managing Director Semiconductors
Dr. Rainer Kaesmaier is leading the semiconductor business of Hitachi Energy with its global manufacturing and R&D footprint for the power semiconductor product portfolio which compromises GTOs, IGBTs, IGCTs, Thyristors, Diodes and SiC for market segments such as energy transmission & distribution, transportation & rail, renewables, industry and eMobility. Rainer is a semiconductor industry veteran having held various management and executive positions in the sector for close to 30 years, covering areas of global responsibility in business strategy and development, business transformation, technology and engineering, operations and production, R&D, as well as sales and marketing. After stations at Siemens, Infineon, Qimonda, and the European semiconductor manufacturer LFoundry, he assumed 2018 the responsibility for the global semiconductor business of Hitachi Energy. In addition to that, Rainer is since 2019 also member of the management board for Hitachi Energy Switzerland. He was a member in various industries strategy committees in Europe and the US, and currently in the advisory board for International Semiconductor Industry Group (I.S.I.G.). Rainer holds a Master’s degree in Physics from the Technical University Munich and a PhD in Physics from the University Kassel in Germany. He is based in Lenzburg near Zurich, Switzerland.
Company Profile
We have one of the most diverse semiconductor portfolios that includes thyristors, diodes, GTOs, IGCTs, IGBTs and RoadPakTM modules, which are manufactured at our facilities in Lenzburg, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic. We have one of the most diverse semiconductor portfolios that includes thyristors, diodes, GTOs, IGCTs, MOSFETs and IGBTs, which are manufactured at our facilities in Lenzburg, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic. Our research team continues pushing the boundaries of what is possible, using silicon and silicon carbide (SiC) technology to innovate the next generation of power electronics devices. Our advanced semiconductor technology brings unprecedented control to HVDC transmission systems. We are the heart of traction converters for high speed trains, metros and diesel-electric locomotives. Pumps, fans, roller tables, hoist and winches found throughout industry rely on us, and the world is able to enjoy greener mobility because we power the next generation of e-vehicles.
Denis Marcon, Ph.D.
General Manager and SVP
Denis Marcon received a M.S. degree from the University of Padova in 2006. Subsequently, he received the degree of Doctor in Engineering (Ph. D.) from the Catholic University of Leuven and imec with the thesis entitled “Reliability study of power gallium nitride based transistors” in 2011. He is leading author or co-author of more than 50 journal papers or international conference contributions.
After his Ph.D. graduation, he has been leading projects aiming to develop GaN HEMTs for several applications (RF and power switching). Thereafter, he has joined the business development team of Imec where he was directly responsible for the partnerships with imec in the field of GaN power electronics as well as on dedicated development and manufacturing of Si-based devices, MEMS, sensors and micro-systems,
Today he is the General Manager of Innoscience Europe (subsidiary of Innoscience) and he is directly responsible for Innoscience’s GaN business in Europe.
Company Profile
Innoscience (HKEX:02577.HK) is the global leader in gallium nitride process innovation and power device manufacturing. Innoscience’s device design and performance set the worldwide standard for GaN, and the culture of continuous improvement will accelerate GaN performance and market adoption. The company’s gallium nitride products are used in multiple low, medium and high voltage applications, with GaN process nodes covering 15V to 1200V. Wafers, discrete devices, integrated power ICs, and modules provide customers with robust GaN solutions. With 800 patents granted or pending, Innoscience’s products are known for reliability, performance, and functionality within the fields of consumer electronics, automotive electronics, data centers, renewable energy and industrial power. Innoscience creates a bright future for GaN. Please visit www.innoscience.com for more information.
Innoscience’s Gallium Nitride products are used in multiple low, medium and high voltage applications, with GaN process nodes covering 15V to 1200V. Wafers, discrete devices, integrated power ICs, and modules provide customers with robust GaN solutions.
Primit Parikh, Ph.D.
VP & GM, GAN Business Division
Primit leads GaN business at Renesas, following its recent acquisition of Transphorm Inc., where he was the Co-founder, President and CEO. Prior to this, he led Transphorm, a pioneer and leader in GaN Power Semiconductors, having grown it from inception to leading its public company listing (Nasdaq/TGAN) and transformation partnering with it’s phenomenal team. He is passionate about creating value from the intersection of business and technology. With over 25 years of semiconductor & entrepreneurial experience, his background includes capital raises, international markets & strategic partnerships, key customer relationships, products & manufacturing, IP, GaN/Semi technology and Government contracting. Prior to Transphorm, Primit led GaN electronics at Nitres Inc. through its acquisition by Cree, where he led GaN development and government business P&L. Primit received his B.Tech. in EE from IIT, Mumbai and his MS & Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UCSB. He has more than 40 patents awarded and co-authored more than 75 publications and presentations. He is blessed to reside in the amazing Santa Barbara area with his wonderful family.
Company Profile
Renesas Electronics empowers a safer, smarter and more sustainable future where technology helps make our lives easier.
A leading global provider of microcontrollers, Renesas combines our expertise in embedded processing, analog, power and connectivity to deliver complete semiconductor solutions. These Winning Combinations accelerate time to market for automotive, industrial, infrastructure and IoT applications, enabling billions of connected, intelligent devices that enhance the way people work and live.
Christophe Maleville, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of Soitec’s Innovation
Christophe Maleville has been appointed Chief Technology Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of Soitec’s Innovation.
He joined Soitec in 1993 and was a driving force behind the company’s joint research activities with CEA-Leti. For several years, he led new SOI process development, oversaw SOI technology transfer from R&D to production, and managed customer certifications. He also served as vice president, SOI Products Platform at Soitec, working closely with key customers worldwide.
Maleville has authored or co-authored more than 30 papers and also holds some 30 patents. He has a PhD in microelectronics from Grenoble Institute of Technology and obtained an executive MBA from INSEAD.
Company Profile
Soitec is a world leader in the production of innovative semiconductor materials. The company leverages its unique technologies to serve the electronics markets.
In meeting the technical and economic challenges of mainstream electronics, Soitec is helping to speed up the mobile and digital revolutions. Its products are used to manufacture chips that go into smartphones, tablets, computers, IT servers and data centers as well as electronic components in cars, connected devices, and industrial and medical equipment.
With more than 4,000 patents, the company pursues a strategy of disruptive innovation to provide its customers with products that combine performance, energy efficiency and competitiveness.
Soitec is headquartered in Bernin France. The company was founded 30 years ago in Grenoble’s high-tech ecosystem and has manufacturing facilities, R&D centers and sales offices in Europe, the United States and Asia. Soitec is listed on the CAC NEXT 20, in Paris.
For more information visit: www.soitec.com.
Joseph Roybal
Joseph Roybal was formerly the Senior Vice President of Global Backend Operations at Wolfspeed aligning backend manufacturing roadmaps, production strategies, and capital allocation to scale efficiently with Wolfspeed’s exponential growth. He leads an expanding worldwide team focused on systemic manufacturing solutions, SiC package innovation, strategic partnerships with OSATs, and effective product manufacturing solutions for all Wolfspeed businesses and major SiC backend operations.
Company Profile
Jörg Doblaski
CTO
As the Chief Technology Officer of the X-FAB foundry group, Jörg Doblaski is responsible for the development of X-FABs modular CMOS, SOI and WBG processes, targeting automotive, industrial and medical applications. Beside the development of the process technologies, this also includes design kit development, design enablement and customer support as well as prototyping. Jörg joined X-FAB in 2004 and served in different engineering- and engineering management positions before he became the group CTO in 2020. He holds a diploma degree in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany.
Company Profile
X-FAB is one of the world’s leading specialty foundry groups for analog/mixed-signal semiconductor technologies with a clear focus on automotive, industrial, and medical applications. As a pure-play foundry, X-FAB provides manufacturing and design support services to customers that design analog/mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) and other semiconductor devices for use in their own products or the products of their customers. Its customers worldwide benefit from the highest quality standards, manufacturing excellence and innovative solutions by using X-FAB’s modular CMOS and SOI processes in geometries ranging from 1.0 µm to 110 nm, and its special micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) processes. X-FAB is also the first pure-play foundry to provide comprehensive processing technologies for the wide-bandgap materials silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). The GaN-on-Si wafers are manufactured in its modern 8” fab in Dresden, Germany, and SiC wafers in the 6” fab in Lubbock, Texas, USA. X-FAB runs six production facilities in Germany, France, Malaysia and the U.S. The company employs about 4,200 people worldwide.
Amr Darwish
Senior Director of Product Marketing & Market Development
Mr. Amr Darwish has over 18+ years of experience in the technology and semiconductor fields. Previously during his time at Integrated Device Technology (IDT), Amr served in various Product Marketing and Technical roles, which spanned over North America, Europe, and Asia. Amr was a Cofounder of MaxPower Semiconductor, where he served as the COO. MaxPower was acquired by Vishay Siliconix in October 2022, where Amr was formerly the Senior Director of Product Marketing & Market Development for the Silicon Carbide division of Vishay.
With a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) and a Master in Business Administration (MBA), Amr has been able to use his blend of disciplines to create effective corporate & sales strategies and key strategic relationships, which have proliferated MaxPower’s (now Vishay’s) products into consumer, industrial, and automotive marketplaces.
In addition, Amr currently serves as the Chair of the Santa Clara University (SCU) Graduate Business Program Alumni Board, is a lead-investor and board member of several technology companies, serves as a start-up advisor in the Bronco Venture Accelerator and is a Partner in the Bronco Venture Capital Fund.
Company Profile
Aly Mashaly
Founder & CEO
Aly Mashaly is the Founder and CEO of Verotera, a German company pioneering next-generation power semiconductor technologies. With over 20 years of experience in power electronics, Aly is a renowned expert in power electronic systems and semiconductors. He holds several patents in the field and is a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences.
Aly earned his degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Electronics from Ain Shams University in Cairo and moved to Germany in 2002 to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Hanover.
He began his career pioneering the development of power electronic systems for avionic applications before focusing on advancing power electronics for electric mobility. In his most recent role as Technical Director at ROHM Semiconductor Europe, he played a key role in driving the company’s vision to become a global leader in power devices and contributed to growing the business through multi-billion-dollar projects.
Company Profile
Verotera is a German startup and a next-generation semiconductor company driven by deep system-level expertise and a vision for a smarter, cleaner world. Our team brings hands-on experience in inverter development, semiconductor design, and real-world system integration. We operate across the full stack — from chip physics to complete systems — designing technologies that address the actual needs and constraints of modern applications.
This unique positioning allows us to reduce integration costs, accelerate design cycles, and deliver higher system efficiency. With strong industry networks and credibility in both the OEM and semiconductor domains, we bridge the gap between demand and innovation — enabling faster validation, strategic partnerships, and more effective go-to- market execution.
Please visit Verotera’s website for more information: www.verotera.com
Giorgia Longobardi, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO
Dr. Giorgia Longobardi, founder and CEO of Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), is an accomplished engineer and business leader with nearly two decades of experience in power semiconductors and high-efficiency power electronics. As the inventor of several high-impact patents in GaN power devices, she combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial acumen—one of her greatest strengths.
Driven by curiosity and a passion for making a positive impact, Giorgia founded CGD to bring advanced, energy-efficient power electronics solutions to market. She now leads a diverse team of 60+ employees across Europe, Asia, the US, and Canada. Under her leadership, CGD has raised over $65 million in private and public investment and launched multiple GaN-based power device products into mass production. Her vision includes one day driving an electric vehicle powered by CGD technology and using ICeGaN to help make AI more sustainable by reducing its environmental footprint.
Giorgia serves on the Energy Management Committee of the Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) and the Advisory Board of the International Semiconductor Industry Group (I.S.I.G.).
Company Profile
A spin-out of the Cambridge University, Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) is a fabless semiconductor company that develops a range of energy-efficient GaN-based power devices to make greener electronics possible.
Operating at a market worth exceeding $30 billion, CGD completed several funding rounds to develop and deliver to the market a wide range of products for consumer and industrial applications.
In autumn 2021, the company was named Tech Scaleup of the Year by Business Weekly in the category of green electronics and was awarded the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) deep tech Investment of the Year.
Ralph Zoberbier
CMO
After completing his first degree in applied sciences, Ralph completed his MBA in 2006 and gained over 20 years experience in the semiconductor equipment business across roles in engineering, product management and global business & sales management. He joining Evatec in 2019 as Head of BU Advanced Packaging leveraging his expertise across thin film technology, lithography and plating. At the end of 2023 he became Evatec CMO responsible for the team at Evatec headquarters driving business across all Evatec markets including packaging , semiconductor, optoelectronics and photonics. Today he also leads its global sales and service teams.
Company Profile
Evatec delivers complete thin film deposition solutions in Advanced Packaging, Semiconductor, Optoelectronics and Photonics – from UBM /RDL processes in FOWLP and FOPLP applications, to deposition of high performance piezoelectrics like AlScN for 5G networks or NIR bandpass filters for 3D sensing, face and gesture recognition in our smart devices. We deliver tailored production solutions with batch, cluster or inline architecture according to your substrate format, throughput, process and fab integration requirements. Evatec’s Advanced Process Control (APC) technologies set new standards in deposition through ‘in situ” capability for control of film properties during the deposition cycle. Reduce your process development times, enhance repeatability and yields or increase tool throughput.
Tamara Baksht, Ph.D.
CEO
Born and raised in Tomsk, Siberia, former USRR, Tamara is founding CEO of VisIC technologies a and one of the pioneers in GaN transistors technology. Tamara’s GaN expertise started from PhD study in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2001 for high power high frequency GaN transistors and continued through development and qualification of GaN technologies for power and RF applications.
Prior Tel Aviv’s PhD, Tamara earned degrees in Philosophy and Physics from Tomsk State University, and last 10 years she is leading the VisIC company to be the major player in power electronics for EV market.
Company Profile
VisIC Technologies has a decade of experience in creating, developing, and advancing concepts based on cutting-edge Gallium Nitride-on-silicon technology. We develop solutions that help reduce energy waste in power conversion systems, with a focus on battery electric vehicles (BEV). Our patented D3GaN technology – Direct Drive D-mode GaN – addresses the automotive industry’s cost, supply, sustainability, reliability, quality, and performance needs.
With our D3GaN technology, BEV can save up to 50% on power losses over the driving cycle of the electric car, thus reducing battery cost and increasing driving range and performance. This solution also reduces the cooling system requirements and the size of the BEV inverter.
VisIC Technologies has produced the first GaN-based transistors used in automotive inverters. By utilizing the GaN on Silicon technology, we address the supply chain concern as we are using existing semiconductor high-volume production lines.
Riccardo Nicoloso, Ph.D.
Key Programs for Global Key Accounts , Industrial and Automotive Customers inside the Power and Discrete Subgroup
Dr. Riccardo Nicoloso is currently leading the Key Programs for Global Key Accounts , Industrial and Automotive Customers inside the Power and Discrete Subgroup in ST .
As general manager from Feb 2019 to Dec 2024, Riccardo Nicoloso leaded ST’s New Materials and Power Solutions Division, driving innovation in silicon carbide, gallium nitride and power modules, to address rising demand for more efficient solutions in automotive and industrial sectors. With over 28 years’ experience in semiconductors, Riccardo has extensive leadership spanning automotive, consumer and industrial. Starting in design, he subsequently held marketing and business roles at ST. Appointed General Manager in 2019, he brings demonstrated success growing global businesses. Passionate about STEM education, Riccardo regularly shares expertise with academic institutions and students. Born in Catania, Italy in 1967, Riccardo holds an Electronic Engineering degree from the University of Catania obtained in 1995, with further specialization in industrial electrical systems design.
Company Profile
At ST, we are more than 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
Avinash Kashyap Ph.D.
SVP & Division Head
Dr. Avinash Kashyap is the Senior Vice President & Division Head of the MOSFETs Division at Vishay Intertechnology. He leads a global organization overseeing P&L, engineering, marketing, applications, and revenue generation for power products, including Si MOSFETs, Power ICs, and SiC, with a strong focus on automotive, industrial, and data center applications.
Previously, Dr. Kashyap served as Vice President & General Manager of the Discrete & Wide Bandgap Power Business Unit at Renesas Electronics, where he led multiple product lines, including IGBTs, SiC, Si MOSFETs, and GaN, catering to high-volume markets.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kashyap has held leadership roles at Microchip Technology and GE Global Research, where he played a pivotal role in advancing wide bandgap technologies and successfully bringing them to market.
An accomplished innovator, he has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications and holds more than 20 patents (granted or pending). Dr. Kashyap earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and a distinguished member of the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers.
Company Profile
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, rectifiers, MOSFETs, optoelectronics, and selected ICs) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies, and medical markets. Vishay’s product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and “one-stop shop” service have made it a global industry leader.
Pietro Scalia
Head of Power System Marketing and Architecture
Pietro Scalia is the Head of System Application and Marketing for Power at Renesas Electronics. His team localized in the three regions is defining and supporting power system solutions for all the market segments, leveraging the entire Power portfolio and addressing new market trends and power architectures.
At onsemi (2021-2023) he lead the Munich Application and PLM team of Automotive EV-Traction Solutions, to define and develop SiC and Si Power Module and Bare DIE portfolio. Previously he worked 11 years at TI, with worldwide Business Development responsibilities on Power products with application focus swinging from Automotive market sector to Telecommunications and Cloud, leveraging his earlier career in Siemens, Ericsson, ST Microelectronics and Academia.
Company Profile
Renesas Electronics empowers a safer, smarter and more sustainable future where technology helps make our lives easier.
A leading global provider of microcontrollers, Renesas combines our expertise in embedded processing, analog, power and connectivity to deliver complete semiconductor solutions. These Winning Combinations accelerate time to market for automotive, industrial, infrastructure and IoT applications, enabling billions of connected, intelligent devices that enhance the way people work and live.
Maike Mueller, Ph.D.
Head of Semiconductor Strategy & Development Power Modules
Dr. Maike Mueller graduated in chemistry from Technical University of Munich and received her doctorate from the Humboldt University of Berlin while working at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing. She started her career in the semiconductor industry as a quality and process engineer at Osram Opto Semiconductors in Regensburg. The past 11 years she has been working in various management roles within Infineon’s automotive and consumer divisions as well as procurement department. Since Oct 2024 she joined VW Group as Head of Semiconductor Strategy & Development of Power modules, Group Powerelectronics.
Company Profile
As group-wide „Powerhouse“ of Volkswagen, the group resort Technology with its business units is responsible for the core transformation-topics “battery”, “charging and energy”, and “components”. It shapes the development and production of strategic components for the car-manufacturing brands of the group and with its “platform business” also for OEMs outside the Volkswagen Group. As an independent company inside the group resort Technology, Volkswagen Group Components employs 70.000 employees in more than 60 factories worldwide. They provide a valuable contribution for the Volkswagen Group, its brands and products. Thomas Schmall is the board member for the group resort Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components.
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