2024 Energy Xchange Seminar Series

Please join us on May 9 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the EMS Energy Institute (C213 Coal Utilization Lab) for our 2024 Energy Xchange Seminar Series. This presentation will feature Joshua Robinson, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research (Acting), with his presentation titled, "Silicon Carbide: The Critical Semiconductor for the Energy Transition". This event is free and parking is available at the Institute at 4 p.m. 
 

Abstract:

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a semiconductor material at the center of the energy transition. It is anticipated that the demand for SiC will be driven by the growing global demand for electric vehicles and a transition to clean energy -- the global market for automotive SiC Market alone is expected to grow 12.5% per year through at least 2030 to more than $10B annually. This represents a tremendous opportunity for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing to play a role in energy distribution and utilization, with some even calling SiC "the new gold rush." However, despite the many billions of dollars currently being invested in fabrication of next-generation SiC electronics for clean energy, no open-access platform exists to train the next-generation materials technicians, engineers, and scientists in SiC crystal growth. Penn State is in a unique position to become the national leader in the synthesis and growth modeling of SiC, the central location for industry to explore new processes and the primary trainer of next-generation SiC materials scientists. In this talk, Robinson will provide an overview of the need for SiC, Penn State's role in advancing next-generation critical materials, and our plans for establishing a Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance.