Transforming Net Zero with Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductor Device Technology (REWIRE)

REWIRE与工业界共同创建并交付，将通过使用宽/超宽带隙（WBG/UWBG）化合物半导体改造下一代高压电子设备，加速英国实现净零排放的雄心。我们的应用驱动，合作研究计划和培训将推进下一代半导体功率器件技术的商业化，并增强英国半导体供应链的安全性。电力设备是所有电力电子系统的核心。WBG/UWBG复合半导体器件为更高效、更紧凑的电力电子系统铺平了道路，减少了电力系统层面的能量损失。英国国家半导体战略认识到这些技术的进步及其开发和制造所需的技术技能对于支持不断增长的净零经济至关重要。REWIRE的理念以与行业和利益相关者共同创建的用例周期为中心，满足市场对具有更高电压范围，成熟度和可靠性的设备的需求。从最初的TRL到商业化，我们将并行开发多种技术。最初的工作将集中在与工业界共同开发的三个用例上，用于变革性的下一代WBG/UWBG半导体电力电子设备：(1)风能，HVDC网络(bbb10 kV) -增加范围的高压设备，作为实现更高效的功率转换和更紧凑的功率转换器的基础；(2)高温应用、器件和封装——大大扩展了电力电子的应用范围；(3)设计工具，良率和可靠性-提高半导体器件制造效率。这些用例将：改进更高TRL的碳化硅（SiC） 1-2kV技术，以达到更高的电压；推进低TRL器件，如氧化镓（Ga2O3）和氮化镓铝（AlGaN）、金刚石和立方氮化硼（c-BN）的示范和最终商业化；并在半导体芯片或封装内开发新的异质集成技术，以增强功能。用例将具有学术界和工业界的领导作用，促进跨不同工作包的学术界和工业界的共同开发。这些最初的、变革性的REWIRE技术将有广泛的应用。它们将提高用于长距离传输的高压直流（HVDC）电力的有效转换，从而实现可持续的国家电网，其好处包括更可靠和安全的通信系统。新技术还将通过优化充电效率、性能、能源转换和管理，为英国具有重要战略意义的电动汽车和电池行业带来竞争优势。REWIRE将与横跨整个半导体器件供应链的bb30个工业和政策合作伙伴共同开发新的用例，以满足利益相关者的优先事项。通过与供应商、制造商和政策制定者的合作，REWIRE将率先在半导体供应链管理方面取得进展，为利益相关者开发供应链工具，以提高对国际贸易动态、潜在供应中断和价格波动的理解。这些工具和我们的《供应链弹性指南》将从用例中支持技术的商业化，使用户能够做出明智的决策，以增强弹性、可持续性和包容性。公平、多样性和包容性（EDI）是REWIRE雄心的组成部分。通过与学术界和工业界合作伙伴的广泛合作，我们将建立加速学术界和工业界创新所需的多样化、熟练的劳动力，创造有弹性的英国企业和供应链。

Co-created and delivered with industry, REWIRE will accelerate the UK's ambition for net zero by transforming the next generation of high voltage electronic devices using wide/ultra-wide bandgap (WBG/UWBG) compound semiconductors. Our application-driven, collaborative research programme and training will advance the next generation of semiconductor power device technologies to commercialisation and enhance the security of the UK's semiconductor supply-chain.Power devices are at the centre of all power electronic systems. WBG/UWBG compound semiconductor devices pave the way for more efficient and compact power electronic systems, reducing energy loss at the power systems level. The UK National Semiconductor Strategy recognises advances in these technologies and the technical skills required for their development and manufacture as essential to supporting the growing net zero economy.REWIRE's philosophy is centred on cycles of use cases co-created with industry and stakeholders, meeting market needs for devices with increased voltage ranges, maturity and reliability. We will develop multiple technologies in parallel from a range of initial TRL to commercialisation.Initial work will focus on three use cases co-developed with industry, for transformative next generation WBG/UWBG semiconductor power electronic devices: (1) Wind energy, HVDC networks (>10 kV) - increased range high voltage devices as the basis for enabling more efficient power conversion and more compact power converters; (2) High temperature applications, device and packaging - greatly expanded application ranges for power electronics; (3) Tools for design, yield and reliability - improving the efficiency of semiconductor device manufacture.These use cases will: improve higher TRL Silicon Carbide (SiC) 1-2kV technology towards higher voltages; advance low TRL devices such as Gallium Oxide (Ga2O3) and Aluminium Gallium Nitride (AlGaN), diamond and cubic Boron Nitride (c-BN) towards demonstration and ultimately commercialisation; and develop novel heterogenous integration techniques, either within a semiconductor chip or within a package, for enhanced functionality. Use cases will have an academic and industry lead, fostering academia-industry co-development across different work packages.These initial, transformative REWIRE technologies will have wide-ranging applications. They will enhance the efficient conversion of electricity to and from High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) for long-distance transfer, enabling a sustainable national grid with benefits including more reliable and secure communication systems. New technologies will also bring competitive advantage to the UK's strategically important electric vehicle and battery sectors, through optimised efficiency in charging, performance, energy conversion and management.New use cases will be co-developed throughout REWIRE, with our >30 industrial and policy partners who span the full semiconductor device supply chain, to meet stakeholder priorities.Through engagement with suppliers, manufacturers, and policymakers, REWIRE will pioneer advances in semiconductor supply chain management, developing supply chain tools for stakeholders to improve understanding of the dynamics of international trade, potential supply disruptions, and pricing volatilities. These tools and our Supply Chain Resilience Guide will support the commercialisation of technologies from use cases, enabling users to make informed decisions to enhance resilience, sustainability, and inclusion.Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) are integral to REWIRE's ambitions. Through extensive collaboration across the academic and industrial partners, we will build the diverse, skilled workforce needed to accelerate innovation in academia and industry, creating resilient UK businesses and supply chains.