Silicon Power Corporation has been awarded $4,750,000 via funding through ARPA-E’s second open call for projects aimed at advancing high-potential research.

Silicon Power Corporation will develop a semiconducting device that switches high power and high voltage electricity, using optical signals. This device will use light to trigger control circuits or mechanisms more rapidly, greatly simplifying the control of high-voltage equipment.

Unlike current switching technologies using silicon, this device shall employ silicon carbide to improve high-power motors and renewable energy technologies including wind and solar.

Silicon Power Corporation, selected from a field of 66 new projects derived from 11 different technology areas, including advanced fuels, advanced vehicle design, building efficiency, carbon capture, energy storage, grid modernisation and renewable power.