Accelerating Commercialization of Energy Efficient SiC Power Electronics

In an increasingly electrified technology driven world, power electronics is central to the entire manufacturing economy. Silicon (Si) power devices have dominated power electronics due to their low cost volume production, excellent starting material quality, ease of processing, and proven reliability. Although Si power devices continue to make progress, they are approaching their operational limits primarily due to their relatively low bandgap and critical electric field that result in high conduction and switching losses, and poor high temperature performance.
In this presentation, the favorable material properties of Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices, which allow for highly efficient power electronic systems with reduced form factor and reduced cooling requirements, will be highlighted. Emphasis will be placed on high impact application opportunities where SiC devices are expected to displace their incumbent Si counterparts. These include “more electric aerospace” with weight, volume, and cooling system reductions contributing to energy savings and low emissions; automotive power electronics with reduced losses and relaxed cooling requirements; more efficient, flexible, and reliable grid applications with reduced system footprint; variable frequency drives for efficient high power electric motors at reduced overall system cost; and novel data center topologies with reduced cooling loads and higher efficiencies. Cost reduction strategies will be outlined elucidating the path to the projected $1.9 billion SiC device market by 2024.