A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics and STMicroelectronics Team Up on Silicon Carbide R&D for the EV Market and Industrial Applications
25 November 2021 - 3:00PM
A*STAR’s Institute of
Microelectronics and STMicroelectronics Team Upon
Silicon Carbide R&D for the EV Market and Industrial
Applications
Collaboration to help develop SiC ecosystem in
Singapore
Singapore, November
25, 2021 – The Institute of
Microelectronics (IME) at the Agency for Science, Technology and
Research (A*STAR) and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global
semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of
electronics applications, announced the start of a Research &
Development (R&D) collaboration in the field of silicon carbide
(SiC) for power-electronics applications in the automotive and
industrial markets. The collaboration sets a foundation for a
comprehensive SiC ecosystem in Singapore and creates opportunities
for other companies to engage with IME and ST in SiC research.
SiC solutions can outperform conventional silicon (Si) devices
in power electronics for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and industrial
applications to meet the need for power modules with smaller form
factors or higher power outputs, as well as higher temperature
operation. Under this research collaboration, A*STAR’s IME and
STMicroelectronics aim to develop and optimize SiC integrated
devices and package modules to offer significantly better
performance in next-generation power electronics.
“We are pleased to collaborate with STMicroelectronics to
develop breakthrough technologies that meet the needs of the
growing electric vehicles market. Such efforts will continue to
anchor high-value R&D activities in Singapore and bolster its
reputation as an attractive regional hub for research, innovation
and enterprise,” said Prof Dim-Lee Kwong, Executive Director of
IME.
“This new collaboration with IME encourages the growth of a
silicon carbide ecosystem in Singapore, as we ramp up our
manufacturing activities there in addition to Catania (Italy). The
multi-year collaborative effort helps us scale up our global
R&D effort across our existing programs managed out of Catania
and Norrköping (Sweden), covering the entire SiC value chain,” said
Edoardo Merli, Power Transistor Macro-Division General Manager and
Group Vice President of STMicroelectronics Automotive and Discrete
Group. “IME’s strong knowledge and expertise in wide bandgap
materials, and notably SiC, supports us in accelerating the
development of new technologies and products addressing the
challenges of sustainable mobility and better energy efficiency in
a wide spectrum of applications.”
Note to editorsPower electronics involves the
control and conversion of electricity using electronic devices.
While silicon-based devices are predominantly used in today’s power
electronics, next-generation power electronics are expected to be
based on Wide-Bandgap materials like silicon carbide (SiC) owing to
its better characteristics for power conversion. With higher energy
efficiencies and smaller form factors, SiC power devices can yield
energy savings in several key systems inside EVs such as the
traction inverter (the “engine” of an EV), on-board chargers and
DC-DC converters (which power headlights, interior lights, wiper
and window motors, fans, pumps, and many other systems from the
main high-power source, after conversion to a lower voltage).
For more
information:https://www.a-star.edu.sg/ime/Research/power-electronicshttps://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/about/innovation---technology/SiC.html
About the Institute of Microelectronics
(IME)The Institute of Microelectronics (IME) is a research
institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR). Positioned to bridge the R&D between academia and
industry, IME's mission is to add value to Singapore's
semiconductor industry by developing strategic competencies,
innovative technologies and intellectual property; enabling
enterprises to be technologically competitive; and cultivating a
technology talent pool to inject new knowledge to the industry. Its
key research areas are in Heterogeneous Integration,
System-in-Package, Sensor, Actuators and Microsystems, RF &
mmWave, SiC/GaN-on-SiC Power Electronics, and MedTech. For more
information on IME, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg/ime.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR)The Agency for Science, Technology and Research
(A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through
open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the
public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a
Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between
academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and
jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal
outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR
plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the
wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities
span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with
research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.
For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
About STMicroelectronicsAt ST, we are 46,000
creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the
semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing
facilities. An independent device manufacturer, we work with more
than 100,000 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 the Internet of Things and 5G technology. Further
information can be found at www.st.com.
For Press Information Contact:
Mr Robin ChanHead, Corporate CommunicationsAgency for Science,
Technology and Research (A*STAR) Tel: +65 6826 6281Email:
robin_chan@hq.a-star.edu.sg
Michael MarkowitzDirector Technical Media Relations
STMicroelectronics Tel: +1 781 591 0354Email:
michael.markowitz@st.com
- T4413I -- Nov 25 2021 -- ST ASTAR SiC collaboration_FINAL FOR
PUBLICATION
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