Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TRANSFORM (Trusted European SiC Value Chain for a greener Economy)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-05-01 bis 2022-04-30
Power electronics systems use semiconductor materials which have a direct influence on the efficiency of the system. Traditionally Silicon (Si) is used for this purpose, the semiconductor material in every conventional electronic device. Despite substantial progress with electronic components based on this material, further breakthroughs to provide a technological response for future demands is difficult to achieve.
At this point new materials with better properties come into play, the so-called “wide bandgap” materials. Silicon Carbide (SiC) is one of them with properties that allow, among others, operation at higher temperatures and higher electrical potential leading to smaller components and higher power conversion efficiency. Depending on the application, 6-30% gain is expected by using SiC instead of Si.
It is the aim of TRANSFORM to establish a strong and a complete value chain for SiC based power electronics in Europe. This will enable a powerful European competitive position and sovereignty in this field through advanced and highly competitive SiC technology. It encompasses research and development activities along the complete supply chain, from SiC substrates to power electronics systems, to provide European market players with a reliable source of SiC components and systems based on an entirely European value chain. The consortium comprises of 34 partners from 7 EU states including industry, institutes and universities.
TRANSFORM contributes to European societal goals and the green economy through significantly increasing energy efficiency by providing a competitive, ready-to-industrialize technology, strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty in this critical field.