CSC participates in new UK supply chain for advanced Power Electronics development

13th June 2019

The Compound Semiconductor Centre is a partner in a project which has been awarded £9.8m in funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). The ESCAPE project (End-to-end Supply Chain development for Automotive Power Electronics) will create a complete end-to-end supply chain for next generation Silicon Carbide Power Electronics, which is a key component to be used in all electric vehicles, whether automotive, railway, marine or aviation – a first for the UK. 

This funding is part of the government’s £33 million investment through APC to advance the UK’s low-carbon automotive capability and to develop the next generation of low-carbon vehicles, helping the automotive sector build a prosperous low-carbon future.  The ESCAPE project, let by McLaren Applied Technologies, is one of five projects awarded funding, ranging from the development of high-performance battery packs and electrified construction equipment, to hydrogen powered engines.

Twelve other partners will support the creation of the integrated supply chain, including other industry leaders such as AESIN, Clas-Sic Wafer Fab, the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, Exawatt, Lyra Electronics, MaxPower Semiconductor, Tribus-D, Turbo Power Systems and The University of Warwick.

Wyn Meredith, CSC Director commented “The demand for Silicon Carbide power components is growing rapidly, and we welcome the opportunity to work with our partners to ensure the UK has a world class future supply chain in this critical technology ”.