News: Microelectronics
18 June 2024
SiCSem to collaborate with Indian Institute of Technology to develop compound semiconductor ecosystem in Bhubaneswar
Chennai-based SiCSem Private Limited (which was incorporated at the end of 2023) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar (IIT-BBS) has signed a memorandum of agreement to collaborate on research on compound semiconductors.
The first project to be carried out as part of the agreement aims to indigenize silicon carbide (SiC) crystal growth at IIT Bhubaneswar. Estimated to cost Rs45crore (about US$5.4m), it would develop expertise in the high-volume production of 150mm and 200mm SiC wafers. Also, SiCSem plans to establish an SiC process fabrication and ATMP (assembly, test & packaging) plant in Odisha state. This should help India to become self-sufficient in power semiconductor devices for advanced technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), fast chargers, green energy, PV inverters, motor controls, and beyond-5G communication.
The collaboration will promote innovation and self-reliance in SiC crystal growth, and represents a “major industry-academia partnership for IIT Bhubaneswar”, says its director, professor Shreepad Karmalkar. The collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to the development of the semiconductor ecosystem in Odisha as well as the nation’s semiconductor industry, in line with the India Semiconductor Mission, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
