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GeneSiC wins the prestigious R&D100 Award for SiC Devices in Grid-connected Solar and Wind Energy Applications

DULLES, VA, July 14, 2011 — R&D Magazine has selected GeneSiC Semiconductor Inc. of Dulles, VA as a recipient of the prestigious 2011 R&D 100 Award for the commercialization of Silicon Carbide devices with high voltage ratings.

GeneSiC Semiconductor Inc, a key innovator in the Silicon Carbide based power devices was honored last week with the announcement that it has been awarded the prestigious 2011 R&D 100 Award. This award recognizes GeneSiC for introducing one of the most significant, newly introduced research and development advances among multiple disciplines during 2010. R&D Magazine recognized GeneSiC’s Ultra-High Voltage SiC Thyristor for its ability to achieve blocking voltages and frequencies never utilized before towards power electronics demonstrations. The voltage ratings of >6.5kV, on-state current rating of 80 A and operating frequencies of >5 kHz are much higher than those previously introduced in the marketplace. These capabilities achieved by GeneSiC’s Thyristors critically enable power electronics researchers to develop grid-tied inverters, Flexible

AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) and High Voltage DC Systems (HVDC). This will allow new inventions and product developments within renewable energy, solar inverters, wind power inverters, and energy storage industries. Dr. Ranbir Singh, President of GeneSiC Semiconductor comented “It is anticipated that large-scale markets in solid-state electrical substations and wind turbine generators will open up after researchers in the power conversion arena will fully realize the benefits of SiC Thyristors. These first generation SiC Thyristors utilize the lowest demonstrated on-state voltage drop and differential on-resistances ever achieved in SiC Thyristors. We intend to release future generations of SiC Thyristors optimized for Gate-controlled Turn Off capability and pulsed power capability and >10kV ratings. As we continue to develop high temperature ultra-high voltage packaging solutions, the present 6.5kV Thyristors are packaged in modules with fully soldered contacts, limited to 150oC junction temperatures.” Since this product was launched in October 2010, GeneSiC has booked orders from multiple customers towards demonstration of advanced power electronics hardware using these Silicon Carbide Thyristors. GeneSiC continues to develop its family of Silicon Carbide Thyristor products. The R&D on early version for power conversion applications were developed through SBIR funding support from US Dept. of Energy. More advanced, Pulsed Power optimized SiC Thyristors are being developed under another SBIR contract with ARDEC, US Army. Using these technical developments, internal investment from GeneSiC and commercial orders from multiple customers, GeneSiC was able to offer these UHV Thyristors as commercial products.

The 49th annual technology competition run by R&D Magazine evaluated entries from various companies and industry players, research organizations and universities around the world. The magazine’s editors and a panel of outside experts served as judges, evaluating each entry in terms of its importance to the world of science and research.

According to R&D Magazine, winning an R&D 100 Award provides a mark of excellence known to industry, government, and academia as proof that the product is one of the most innovative ideas of the year. This award recognizes GeneSiC as a global leader in the creation of technology-based products that make a difference in how we work and live.

About GeneSiC Semiconductor, Inc.

GeneSiC is a fast emerging innovator in the area of SiC power devices and has a strong commitment to the development of Silicon Carbide (SiC) based devices for: (a) HV-HF SiC devices for Power Grid, Pulsed power and Directed Energy Weapons; and (b) High temperature SiC power devices for aircraft actuators and oil exploration. GeneSiC Semiconductor Inc. develops Silicon Carbide (SiC) based semiconductor devices for high temperature, radiation, and power grid applications. This includes development of rectifiers, FETs, bipolar devices as well as particle & photonic detectors. GeneSiC has access to an extensive suite of semiconductor design, fabrication, characterization and testing facilities for such devices. GeneSiC capitalizes on its core competency in device and process design to develop the best possible SiC devices for its customers. The company distinguishes itself by providing high quality products that are specifically tuned to each customer’s requirements. GeneSiC has prime/sub-contracts from major US Government agencies including ARPA-E, US Dept of Energy, Navy, DARPA, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Commerce and other departments within the US Dept. of Defense. GeneSiC continues to rapidly enhance the equipment and personnel infrastructure at its Dulles, Virginia facility. The company is aggressively hiring personnel experienced in compound semiconductor device fabrication, semiconductor testing and detector designs. Additional information about the company and its products may be obtained by calling GeneSiC at 703-996-8200 or by visiting www.genesicsemi.com.

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Renewable Energy Thrust Nets GeneSiC Semiconductor $1.5M from US Department of Energy

DULLES, VA, November 12, 2008 – The US Department of Energy has awarded GeneSiC Semiconductor two separate grants totaling $1.5M for the development of high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) devices that will serve as key enablers for wind- and solar-power integration with the nation’s electricity grid.

“These awards demonstrate the DOE’s confidence in GeneSiC’s capabilities, as well as its commitment to alternative energy solutions,” notes Dr. Ranbir Singh, president of GeneSiC. “An integrated, efficient power grid is critical to the nation’s energy future — and the SiC devices we’re developing are critical for overcoming the inefficiencies of conventional silicon technologies.”

The first award is a $750k Phase II SBIR grant for the development of fast, ultra-high-voltage SiC bipolar devices. The second is a $750k Phase II STTR grant for the development of optically gated high-power SiC switches.

Silicon carbide is a next-generation semiconductor material with the ability to handle 10x the voltage and 100x the current of silicon, making it ideally suited to high-power applications such as renewable energy (wind and solar) installations and electrical-grid control systems.

Specifically, the two awards are for:

  • Development of high-frequency, multi-kilovolt SiC gate-turn-off (GTO) power devices. Government and commercial applications include power-management and conditioning systems for ships, the utility industry, and medical imaging.
  • Design and fabrication of optically gated high-voltage, high-power SiC switching devices. Using fiber-optics to switch power is an ideal solution for environments plagued by electro-magnetic interference (EMI), and applications that require ultra high-voltages.

The SiC devices GeneSiC is developing serve a variety of energy storage, power grid, and military applications, which are receiving increasing attention as the world focuses on more efficient and cost-effective energy-management solutions.

Based outside Washington, DC in Dulles, Virginia, GeneSiC Semiconductor Inc. is a leading innovator in high-temperature, high-power and ultra high-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) devices. Current development projects include high-temperature rectifiers, field-effect transistors (FETs) and bipolar devices, as well as particle & photonic detectors. GeneSiC has prime/sub-contracts from major US Government agencies, including the Department of Energy, Navy, DARPA, and the Department of Homeland Security. The company is currently experiencing substantial growth, and hiring qualified personnel in power-device and detector design, fabrication, and testing. To find out more, please visit www.genesicsemi.com.