The US administration plans to provide a total of up to $389 million in funding to 4 companies for research and development projects aimed at the semiconductor supply chain and critical materials.
According to a statement from the US Department of Commerce, letters of intent have been signed to provide support to Helion, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Vertical Semiconductor, and Sibelco within the framework of the CHIPS and Science Act.
The support is intended to be used for R&D efforts related to power semiconductor devices, modules, and materials deemed critical to the semiconductor supply chain. In exchange for the funding, the Department will acquire non-voting minority stakes in the companies.
According to the statement, Helion could receive up to $175 million in support to develop high-voltage power semiconductors and advanced energy power modules. These semiconductors are intended to power the magnets that operate the company's fusion generators.
Commonwealth Fusion Systems is planned to receive up to $85 million in funding for semiconductor R&D efforts focused on radio-frequency plasma heating, power electronics, embedded electronics for fusion diagnostics, and radiation-hardened electronics.
It was reported that Vertical Semiconductor will receive up to $73 million in financing to develop power semiconductors that provide more efficient and compact power delivery in the field of advanced computing. Sibelco will be provided with up to $56 million in support to develop next-generation purification and finishing technologies for ultra-high-purity quartz.
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that the President Donald Trump administration is accelerating innovation in the semiconductor field, saying, "These investments expand domestic research, secure critical supply chains, and create high-paying American jobs."
News Source: 12punto
