[Editor's Note] The motors used in the latest electric vehicles are becoming smaller and lighter. In addition, efficient system implementation is required in various industrial fields such as EV charging, energy storage devices, and 5G. Accordingly, manufacturers are focusing on adopting silicon carbide (SiC) to overcome the limitations of silicon (Si) material. In the midst of this, we prepared an opportunity to learn about the advantages of silicon carbide (SiC) as a semiconductor material and Wolfspeed's product line and trends through an interview with Vice President Lee Tae-hoon and Vice President Ham Jeong-ho of Wolfspeed, a global pure semiconductor manufacturer.


■ Could you please introduce Wolfspeed?

Wolfspeed is a pure global semiconductor POWER HOUSE that converts existing power devices from silicon (Si) to silicon carbide (SiC). Providing industry-leading solutions for efficient energy consumption and a sustainable future.

The Wolfspeed product line includes silicon carbide materials, power switching devices, and RF devices for a wide range of applications including electric vehicles, 5G networks, and renewable energy.

■ Why is SiC in the spotlight among electric vehicle power solutions?

Electric vehicle designers are recognizing that only SiC MOSFETs and SiC Schottky diodes can accommodate the fast switching speeds and high power densities required to build smaller, lighter, and more efficient motors.

Silicon carbide reduces power loss by up to 80% and increases driving range by up to 10%, relieving consumers of the burden and anxiety of driving range.

Wolfspeed was the first to launch SiC MOSFETs in 2011 and has since led the transition from conventional IGBT solutions to Silicon Carbide solutions in the electric vehicle sector.

■ How are SiC semiconductor solutions applied in areas other than electric vehicles?

As interest in energy-efficient power solutions grows, manufacturers across industries are adopting sustainable designis considering.

Key industries include industrial applications, particularly EV charging, energy storage, renewable energy, 5G Network, and aerospace and defense.

Wolfspeed's founders were the first to commercialize silicon carbide and have focused on designing and supplying industry-leading performance Silicon Carbide and GaN-on-SiC materials and devices for high-power industrial applications for over 30 years.

■ If there is a SiC-related project that Wolfspeed is collaborating on, please introduce it.

Wolfspeed is constantly working to advance silicon carbide.

In particular, it recently announced a supply agreement with General Motors for its Mohawk Valley plant.

Getting this facility up and running is one of our top priorities right now, and we look forward to sharing more information on this in late 2022.

Additionally, we recently announced an agreement with ZINNSIGHT to support fuel cell vehicle technology. Agreements like this one and expansion with key customers like STMicro have been a huge success for us in 2021, and we look forward to many more like them in the future.

■ I would like to know about Wolfspeed’s SiC semiconductor development status and future development direction.

Wolfspeed maintains a share of approximately 60% of total production in the silicon carbide market.

We are currently working on capacity expansion at two locations in North Carolina and New York, USA, and both of these facilities will play a critical role in supplying silicon carbide to our customers.

The New York facility will be fully automated, capable of producing automotive qualified products, and will be the world's largest 200mm wafer manufacturing facility.

This FAB is essential to supporting our key Automotive customers in delivering a more efficient future.

In the long term, the North Carolina campus will be home to a raw materials plant as well as 150mm wafer manufacturing.

■ Lastly, please say a word to your readers.

He added that silicon carbide is one of the most difficult materials to produce in the world, and Wolfspeed’s long history of producing it is unrivaled.I want to be.

Wolfspeed is highly regarded by customers who have a deep understanding of the benefits and potential of Wolfspeed SiC materials.

Wolfspeed is working to pioneer a new era of energy efficiency and a sustainable future with silicon carbide-based semiconductors.

thank you