Wolfspeed opens world’s largest 200mm Silicon Carbide fab

Wolfspeed, Inc. formally opened its Mohawk Valley Silicon Carbide fabrication facility in Marcy, NY with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Federal and State Officers. The 200mm wafer fab will assist lead the industry-wide transition from silicon to Silicon Carbide-based semiconductors.

As a key associate, Lucid Motors had the glory of “slicing the ribbon” with its Lucid Air. The automaker makes use of Wolfspeed’s Silicon Carbide energy system options within the Lucid Air. Wolfspeed just lately introduced a multi-year settlement with Lucid to produce Silicon Carbide units. The Lucid Air Grand Touring options an official EPA estimated 516 miles of vary and 1,050 horsepower.

Automotive-qualified 1200V Silicon Carbide XM3 half-bridge energy module from Wolfspeed.

Lucid Air’s inverters characteristic Wolfspeed’s XM3 Silicon Carbide energy modules. With low switching losses, minimal resistance, and excessive energy density, the XM3 energy modules contribute to the effectivity and energy density of Lucid’s 163-lb, 670-hp (74kg, 500kW) electrical motor.

The automated Mohawk Valley facility is the world’s first and largest 200mm Silicon Carbide fab offering uncompromised wafer high quality and better yield. The units developed in Mohawk Valley will likely be important in feeding Wolfspeed’s greater than $20-billion pipeline and the worldwide semiconductor {industry}. The primary Silicon Carbide lot was run on the facility earlier this month. Greater than 600 high-tech Mohawk Valley jobs will likely be created by 2029.

Wolfspeed can also be increasing its operations in North Carolina with the creation of a supplies manufacturing facility in Durham, scheduled to be accomplished later this yr. Collectively, these factories set up a nationwide Silicon Carbide hall on the East Coast, combining Wolfspeed’s 30+ yr historical past of analysis and improvement in N.C. with the robust expertise base, wealthy manufacturing heritage, and high-quality expertise in NY’s Mohawk Valley.

Wolfspeed’s product households embrace Silicon Carbide supplies, power-switching units and RF units focused for numerous functions corresponding to electrical automobiles, quick charging, 5G, renewable power and storage, and aerospace and protection.