US backs $23m GaN tech hub in Vermont

The University of Vermont in the US is to host a $23m research and development hub for gallium nitride (GaN) power technologies close to a semiconductor foundry.

The V-GaN Tech Hub aims to help companies develop high-power, high-frequency electronic devices using GaN with the aim of making the US the leading supplier of the technology in the next ten years.

There are three projects at the centre to establish and managing a cutting-edge computing facility for the design of GaN and other wide bandgap semiconductor-based devices for both commercial and defence applications. GaN can be used at higher frequencies up to 20MHz for higher efficiency and smaller magnetics for smaller, lighter power systems.

The Hub is developing a closed-loop technology innovation cycle that links initiatives in chip design, prototyping with GlobalFoundries, and testing/characterization with OnLogic in a rapid development system, and is working with EDA software suppliers Cadence, Keysight and Mentor Graphics/Siemens. Customers and partners that include Intel and BAE Systems.

In December GF received an additional $9.5m from the US government for making GaN on silicon semiconductors at its facility in Essex Junction, Vermont, following a $35m CHIPS Act award. This uses GaN wafers from IQE in Wales, UK, and the additional funding is intended to move GF closer to large-scale production of GaN chips for automotive, datacentre, IoT, aerospace and defense applications.

The Vermont R&D hub will also work on advanced materials science, including composites 2D materials, other next-generation materials, and related manufacturing.

This is one of six new R&D hubs with $210m of funding from the US government announced this week. These join 12 other tech hubs announced in July last year with a total of $700m of investment for the 18 hubs.

This is additional funding that comes from the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which also includes a provision that could provide the Tech Hubs Programme additional funding of up to $280 million in the coming years.

The other hubs include $48m for Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub in Washington and Idaho, as well as a $29m Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (CM2AE) Tech Hub at the University of Missouri System.

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