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THE TECH
LED and semiconductor manufacturer Cree will invest
up to $1 billion to expand its silicon carbide materials
capability and wafer fabrication capacity. Slated for
completion in 2024, the expansion will entail the
development of an automated 200 mm silicon carbide
fabrication facility and a materials factory in Durham,
North Carolina.
The plan includes the buildout of an existing structure
into a 253,000-square-foot facility, which will offer the
company 18 times more surface area. Cree will convert
its existing fabrication facility into a materials factory.
Cree CEO Gregg Lowe said, “This investment in
equipment, infrastructure, and our workforce is capable
of increasing our silicon carbide wafer fabrication
capacity up to 30-fold and our materials production by
up to 30-fold compared to Q1 of fiscal year 2017, which
is when we began the first phase of capacity expansion.”
He continued, “These silicon carbide manufacturing
mega-hubs will accelerate the innovation of today’s
fastest growing markets by producing solutions that help
extend the range and reduce the charge times for electric
vehicles, as well as support the rollout of 5G networks
around the world. By using existing facilities and
installing a majority of refurbished tools, we believe we
will be able to deliver a state-of-the-art 200 mm capable
fab at approximately one-third of the cost of a new fab.”Cree to invest $1 billion
to expand silicon carbide
capacity
Image courtesy of CreeImage courtesy of BorgWarnerAutomotive parts supplier BorgWarner has released a sil-
icon carbide onboard battery charger that is compatible
with 400, 600 and 800 V systems. It accepts AC inputs
with 7.4 kW, 11 kW, and 22 kW power ratings. Optional
DC-to-DC converter rating integration from 2.3 kW to
3.6 kW is available.
“Our technical center is dedicated to designing
onboard battery chargers that are uncompromisingly
suitable for the global electric and hybrid vehicle mar-
kets,” said BorgWarner President Joel Wiegert. “Our
latest offering with its silicon carbide technology pro-
vides maximum power conversion efficiency, thus saving
energy and delivering an extended range.”
BorgWarner unveils new
onboard battery charger