Engineering news
Raytheon has opened the UK's first silicon carbide foundry at its Glenrothes site. The £3.5 million facility is one of only a handful worldwide, and can manufacture state-of-the-art four inch wafers of the material.
Silicon carbide holds promise for the future of semiconductors. The material functions at higher voltages and temperatures than silicon, and is lighter and more efficient too. The material could be used to cut energy losses in a wide range of applications. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important given the rising cost of energy and new legislation pushing for more efficient products.
The government has earmarked advanced materials, including silicon carbide, as one of eight great technologies that will be critical to the growth of the country.
Bob Delorge, Chief Executive of Raytheon, said: “This sets the company on a journey to exploit a new global market. This technology will deliver major benefits, not only in the aerospace sector, but in the automotive and oil and gas industries.”
Silicon carbide is a compound of silicon and carbon. Raytheon has been making semiconductors in Glenrothes for many years. Paul D'Arcy, business unit manager for semiconductors, explained that it could be challenging to grow the semiconductor business in the future without investment in new materials.
The company has been working on silicon carbide with universities and small start-up companies for the past six to seven years. D'Arcy said: “It made perfect sense for us to create a value stream and a business, and now the market for silicon carbide is taking off. We should be able to grow the business because it is such a strong emerging market.”
D'Arcy added that companies are already using the facility to qualify and manufacture silicone carbide devices, as well as experiment with new silicon carbide technology. He said doing development and production in the same place will help get new technology to market quicker.
The foundry has been established with the help of the Technology Strategy Board.