The U.S. invests in semiconductor research and development

The U.S. Commerce Department recently allocated $389 million in R&D funding to four companies working on semiconductor development.

This action was in alignment with the government’s CHIPS and Science Act.

In a statement, commerce secretary Howard Lutnick explained the funding “will accelerate American semiconductor innovation to enhance our domestic energy and power resources”.

As a condition of the close to $400 million outlay, the U.S. government will receive minority, non-controlling and non-equity stakes in the four companies.

Washington-based Helion, which develops high-voltage power semiconductors and advanced energy power modules, will receive the biggest investment at $175 million.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is in line for an $85 million investment, which it will use to develop semiconductor technologies for robotic maintenance.

Meanwhile, Vertical Semiconductors will get $73 million for its work across AI data centre racks and Sibelco North America will receive $56 million.

Bill Frauenhofer, Executive Director of Semiconductor Investment and Innovation at the Commerce Department added: “Accelerating domestic R&D across these technologies will strengthen America’s ability to convert and deliver power for the grid, advanced data centres, defence systems, and emerging fusion energy”.

Reuters reported the Commerce Department has awarded a total of 19 R&D grants to semiconductor companies, as part of the $10 billion fund under the CHIPS and Science Act approved by the government in 2022.

Source: Mobile World Live

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