SiC Packaging Prize
Do you have what it takes to design the next breakthrough in SiC packaging? We need your help!
The three-phase $2.25 million Silicon Carbide (SiC) Packaging Prize—launched by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Electricity—was established to develop and expand upon state-of-the-art semiconductor packaging designs. SiC power modules, though prime candidates for high-performance electronics, are often limited by traditional packaging techniques. To enable grid-based applications, SiC power modules must support higher voltage and higher current ratings.
Prize Background
Silicon Carbide (SiC) has transformed the power industry in countless applications across the industrial, energy, and automotive segments. This is primarily due to its many advantages over previous implementations of silicon and insulated-gate bipolar transistors, including higher switching frequencies, lower operating temperatures, higher current and voltage capacities, and lower losses, which lead to increased power density, reliability, and efficiency.
Cooler temperatures and smaller magnetics also allow thermal management and power components to be smaller, lighter, and cheaper, thereby lowering total costs while also enabling smaller footprints. However, parasitic inductance and heat dissipation issues related to conventional packaging techniques have been known to limit the performance potential of SiC modules.
The SiC Packaging Prize invites competitors to propose, design, build, and test state-of-the-art packaging prototypes that move the industry beyond its current state.
Timeline
Phases and Prizes
Phase 1 – Design Study
Competitors will describe their team, their plan to make progress toward SiC packaging, showcase their current prototypes, and provide evidence of their current metrics that are in alignment with the goals of the prize. The goal of this phase is to develop a set of design documents for a Phase 2 prototype which adheres to the requirements set.
Prizes Up to 10 winners of $50,000 each
Phase 2 – Initial Demonstration
In Phase 2, winners from Phase 1 will showcase and demonstrate the advancements made during the prize competition in packaging solutions for SiC modules, meeting, exceeding, or making progress toward the Phase 2 performance metrics as outlined in the rules. This phase is designed to act as a milestone towards achieving the Phase 3 target with the goal of innovating towards an improvement over state-of-the-art packaging and creating transformative solutions.
Prizes Up to 4 winners of $250,000 each
Phase 3 – Final Demonstration
Competitors will demonstrate an advancement in packaging solutions for SiC modules, meeting or exceeding the Phase 3 performance metrics as outlined in the rules. The goal of the final phase is to achieve the high voltage and high current targets, while continuing to innovate towards an improvement over state-of-the-art packaging and creating transformative solutions.
Prizes Up to 1 winner of $750,000
Competitor Eligibility
Competitors must be associated with a for-profit business entity, such as a corporation or other organization that is formed in and maintains a primary place of business in the United States. One submission will be allowed for each team. For more information, please read the Official Rules
Solutions that Can Shape the Future
Are you an innovative entrepreneur in the renewable energy industry? You belong here. Follow the SiC Packaging Prize on HeroX to get started!
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