North Carolina State University has received $39.4 million from the Department of Defense to lead the role of the Regional Innovation Center for Wideband Semiconductors.
Regional Center "Commercial Leap Forward for Wideband Semiconductors". Semiconductors, or CLAWS, also includes one university partner, NC A&T State University, as well as six industry partners: Wolfspeed, Coherent Corp., General Electric, Bluglass, Adroit Materials and Kyma Technologies, Inc.
<p>The funding is part of $238 million invested through the Creating Useful Incentives for Semiconductor Manufacturing (CHIPS) and Science Act to establish eight Microelectronics Commons Regional Innovation Centers spread across the United States.
"NC State is honored to lead the Microelectronics Commons Regional Innovation Center to leverage our breadth and depth of expertise to create the best wideband semiconductors that are so important to our nation's defense," said Chancellor Randy Woodson. "We are grateful for the work of those who developed and passed the CHIPS and Science Act that supports these regional centers, and for the regional partners who will collaborate on future research and discovery in this critically important high-tech sector."< /p>
Wide-bandgap semiconductors offer higher voltages and temperatures than traditional silicon chips. They are used in power electronics, as well as in radio frequency and wireless communication devices and radars, as well as photonic devices for sensing, communication, artificial intelligence and future applications of quantum technology. The center will also explore next-generation ultra-wide bandgap materials with even higher voltage and temperature capabilities, including diamond and gallium oxide electronics.
"Leveraging NC State's expertise through campus resources such as PowerAmerica and the FREEDM Systems Center, along with the traditional strengths of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, should help make this leap forward for wideband semiconductor technology a reality," said Mladen Wouk, Vice Chancellor for Informatics. research and innovation in the state of North Carolina.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced the award on September 20.
"Efforts are focused on lab-to-fabrication — lab-to-fabrication — for wide-bandgap semiconductors and are aimed at creating opportunities to manufacture them here in the U.S. and ensure domestic supply," said John Muth, distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computers Engineering and technical and chief researcher on the award. "The center has a core of members who are building this capability, but we will also have center affiliates and future partners who can use the center's equipment and capabilities for DoD-funded and commercial projects."
The center will also expand opportunities to perform a wide range of basic research, which is the foundation of the university's scientific mission and extensions, Muth added.
"The technology holds the potential for future electric vehicles, grid technologies, 5G/6G, quantum technologies and artificial intelligence applications," said Fred Kish, professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering and director of the new hub. "They are also important for national security applications, providing advantages in energy efficiency, size, weight, power and performance in mission-critical applications, including weapons systems, warfighter equipment, position/navigation/timing, biotech and medicine, material handling, displays and a host of additional defense needs".
NC State will work with major partner NC A&T State University and community colleges to create a statewide semiconductor engineering expertise, Muth added.
Source: electronicproducts.com
