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ASSIST: Building a sovereign UK supply chain for high voltage silicon carbide (SiC) devices

Date: 23.07.2025

Topics: Power Electronics

Close-up of a metallic, hexagonal GaN 3D-printed structure with layered texture and a glossy finish. - CSA Catapult

ASSIST

Solid State Transformers (SSTs) are forecast to contribute £9 million to the UK economy by 2028.

To strengthen the UK’s position in SST technology, the development of high-voltage, high-current silicon carbide (SiC) Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) is essential. A cost-effective, highly efficient, and compact solution will help meet future electricity demands and provide greater flexibility to the electricity distribution network.

ASSIST, a £1.6 million project funded by UKRI, brought together a sovereign UK supply chain to capitalise on the high-value opportunity SSTs present. The project used 3300V/30A devices to develop a commercially viable module.

The challenge

Delivering high-voltage SST devices requires a large number of modules. Currently, only 1200V and 1700V SiC devices are available on the market.

In addition, limited silicon carbide (SiC) packaging options across Europe hinder access to low-cost plastic packaging for custom and medium-volume semiconductor devices. As a result, many start-ups struggle to move beyond the prototyping stage.

Close-up of two e-commerce semiconductor wafers with intricate circuit patterns, reflecting light in blue and purple shades. - CSA Catapult

The approach

Project partners—Turbo Power Systems, Clas-SiC Wafer Fab, Alter Technology, and CSA Catapult—established manufacturing readiness across three levels of the supply chain. Together, they created an end-to-end capability covering wafer fabrication, device packaging, and power electronic converter manufacturing.

Turbo Power Systems demonstrated an AC-to-AC  SST module that eliminates the need for direct current (DC) in both primary and secondary designs. This innovation reduces cost, compacts the design, and achieves nearly 99% efficiency—a benchmark often referred to as the “holy grail” in power electronics.

CSA Catapult designed and tested the high-frequency transformer, conducting reliability trials, thermal modelling, and optimisation. It also established a magnetics supply chain and raised awareness of the project within the SiC community.

The outcome

ASSIST expanded the UK’s sovereign packaging supply chain and developed a new and improved packaging design kit that can be tailored to meet specific requirements.

In addition to enhancing the capabilities and commercial offerings of project partners, the advanced packaging design kit can be applied to products not currently available in the power system integration market—reinforcing the UK’s leadership in compound semiconductor technologies.

Impact

Increased flexibility

The project extended the packaging supply chain by developing a design kit with enhanced capabilities, offering flexibility to meet bespoke power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD) requirements.

Impact

Cost-effective, compact solution

The streamlined AC-to-AC SST module delivers a lower-cost, compact design with 99% efficiency.

Impact

Establishing a supply chain

The project established a sovereign UK supply chain ready to capitalise on the high-value SST market. It delivered a market-ready module, increasing commercial income opportunities for all partners involved.

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