Infrastructure
Silicon Carbide (SiC)
Category
Infrastructure
Abstraction level
Primitive
Operation level
Deployment
Use cases
Solid-state transformers and data-center powerRenewable inverters and power gridsEV chargers and drives
How it works
SiC's wider bandgap allows higher breakdown fields and operation at higher temperatures; SiC devices switch faster with lower losses, translating into higher efficiency and power density of power-electronics systems.
Problem solved
How to build power devices more efficient, smaller and tolerant of higher voltages and temperatures than conventional silicon allows?
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
✓Higher efficiency and lower losses
✓Operation at higher voltages and temperatures
✓Greater power density (smaller systems)
Limitations
✗Higher cost than silicon
✗Harder manufacturing and gate control
✗Reliability challenges with fast switching