Durham-based manufacturer The John Palmour Manufacturing Center for SiC in Siler City will utilise federal funding to expand materials capacity significantly to meet rising demands from emerging technologies like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.
Wolfspeed plans to expand its device factory in Marcy, New York as part of this project and with funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s investment. Their proposed investment represents their commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing.
Silicon Carbide (SiC)
Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the hardest known materials, capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 1600degC without losing strength, boasting high thermal conductivity and low coefficient of thermal expansion – properties which enable SiC to function at higher temperatures while decreasing cooling requirements, improving reliability, and efficiency.
Edward Goodrich Acheson first invented SiC in 1891 through chemical reaction between carbon and silicon. At first used for lapidary applications and abrasives due to its durability and cost effectiveness. Later it became the base material in ceramic manufacturing processes like those found in meteorites, corundum deposits, and kimberlite pipes – although much of what’s sold globally comes in synthetic form – including moissanite jewels!
SiC chips provide electric vehicles with greater efficiency and performance compared to conventional silicon semiconductors, extending driving range while decreasing size/weight of battery management systems.
Wolfspeed provides an expansive portfolio of SiC devices, while providing unique isolation solutions that simplify system designers’ evaluation and deployment of this technology. Our GeneSiC family of patent-protected products includes merged SiN Schottky diodes with voltage ratings up to 1200 V, high temperature SiC junction transistors and high voltage PiN components – visit our website to learn more about them and take advantage of all their unique benefits.
E-Mobility
E-mobility (also referred to as electro mobility) refers to the use of electric powertrain technologies in vehicles for transport purposes. This includes electric cars (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HEV).
E-mobility’s primary benefit lies in its reduced emissions compared to conventional combustion engines, making e-mobility beneficial to planet health and the environment; even when considering indirect emissions from battery production and electricity generation for charging them, EVs still produce significantly less carbon pollution than traditional gasoline-powered transportation methods.
But the current EV industry does face its share of challenges. Two main ones are range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Since EVs often require longer to charge than traditional vehicles, many Americans worry that public charging stations might not be easily found nearby or that compatible chargers might not exist for their chosen vehicle.
To address these challenges, governments worldwide are investing heavily in infrastructure that supports e-mobility. They’re investing heavily in renewable and sustainable energy sources as net-zero and low-carbon targets are reached. Silicon carbide power semiconductors have made an immense contribution here – cutting costs while optimizing power savings and energy efficiency and making e-mobility an accessible option. Silicon carbide power semiconductors make an incredible impactful statement about why e-mobility should become part of everyday life.
Renewable Energy
Devices from this company are an essential element of electric vehicles and renewable energy systems that reduce CO2 emissions. SiC semiconductor chips from this company help designers design power converters used in EV charging infrastructure as well as battery management systems that allow drivers to go further on one charge.
Solar and wind power production continues to expand, yet effectively harvesting the sun’s energy requires efficiency and reliability. SiC’s ability to withstand high temperatures and humidity helps solar inverters perform more reliably with reduced energy loss – helping make solar more cost-effective while increasing Wolfspeed products’ market presence in this industry.
Wolfspeed semiconductors can help electrified railways reduce costs and enhance power density by being utilized in power conversion components, like main inverters and fuel cell boost converters, designed to operate under rigorous conditions. Wolfspeed’s SiC MOSFETs and diodes have the voltage capability needed for these applications as they withstand higher voltages – making them perfect for these specific uses! Using Wolfspeed semiconductors also allows manufacturers to reduce system costs through reduction in inductors and capacitive components sizes, helping lower system costs overall and increase power density overall!
This new facility in Marcy, New York is expected to create over 600 jobs. New York State’s Empire State Development is providing up to $500 million in performance-based capital grants as part of the cost to build and fit out the facility, as well as Excelsior Job Tax Credits of up to $1 million. SUNY Poly has pledged up to $5 million scholarship support so as to ensure students from historically underserved and marginalized communities as well as those in financial need gain greater access to educational opportunities needed to enter the semiconductor workforce.
Industrial Power
Silicon carbide chips have widespread industrial uses. Silicon carbide chips can be found in motors used to power electric vehicles and many other devices. Durham-based company, previously known by its former name of Cree, which in 2021 changed to Durham-based company has made headlines by selling off its LED lighting division that made them famous, is the world’s leader in producing larger 200 millimeter circular substrates for these types of chips, yielding more of those tiny square die that make up semiconductors which reduce costs significantly and lead to greater energy efficiency in future applications.
William Blair analyst Jed Dorsheimer has long had an upbeat view of Wolfspeed and has held onto it with great optimism since last November when the stock was trading above $120 a share. Since then however, its shares have fallen sharply to around $26 as investors become concerned over slowing demand for electric vehicle batteries as well as economies in China and Europe slowing.
The company has also witnessed a decrease in revenue from sales of older-technology products to telecom equipment manufacturers and other businesses, but is attempting to bolster demand by offering reduced-cost chips; as well as expanding production capacity by building the $5 billion John Palmour Manufacturing Center for Silicon Carbide in Siler City, NC as well as an advanced materials mega factory at their Durham campus headquarters – two projects which will allow it to increase material production more than 10-fold.
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