A*STAR's Bold Step in Silicon Carbide Innovation

Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is propelling the city-state to the forefront of semiconductor innovation with the launch of the world’s first industry-grade 200mm silicon carbide (SiC) open R&D line. Unveiled during the 2025 SEMICON Southeast Asia event, this initiative marks a significant milestone in enhancing Singapore's semiconductor research capabilities and fostering collaboration across industry lines.

A*STAR's initiative, part of the inaugural Innovate Together event, aims to consolidate efforts between academia, government, and industry to address escalating demands in the semiconductor landscape. At the core of this initiative is the strengthening of wide-bandgap semiconductor research to support high-power applications. Explore the details on Semiconductor Today.

Overcoming Developmental Hurdles

Historically, the development of SiC devices has been riddled with challenges, including high equipment costs, limited accessibility, and fragmented development processes. A*STAR’s Open R&D Line addresses these obstacles by providing a comprehensive facility for SiC innovation. This facility includes everything from materials growth and defect analysis to device fabrication and testing, effectively offering a streamlined R&D process that facilitates rapid progression from concept to prototype.

Collaboration at Its Core

An integral component of the Open R&D Line is its collaborative nature. The line partners with key equipment and material suppliers, including ASM, centrotherm, Nissin, Soitec, and Toray. These partnerships enhance the line's capabilities and drive innovation in SiC development. The collaborations yield state-of-the-art tools for SiC device fabrication, such as ASM's PE1O8 tool for high-quality SiC epitaxial layers and Soitec's SmartSiC technology.

The facility’s open nature allows global and local companies to access cutting-edge technology to develop and enhance their SiC devices. Notably, STMicroelectronics and local start-up WaferLead are leveraging these capabilities to improve device manufacturing processes and enhance performance and reliability.

Future Prospects and Partnerships

The inauguration also saw the announcement of other strategic initiatives aimed at boosting Singapore’s semiconductor capabilities. These include the Lab-in-Fab's phase two, focusing on piezoelectric MEMS, and the EDA Garage, offering cost-effective access to advanced design automation tools.

A*STAR has also kickstarted several international collaborations, paving the way for expanded R&D capabilities and training programs. MOUs with entities like GlobalFoundries and Nearfield Instruments spotlight the potential for collaborative advancements in semiconductor metrology and technology development.

Conclusion

A*STAR's launch of the SiC Open R&D Line is a decisive step for Singapore's semiconductor industry. It not only fortifies research and development capabilities but also fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. As companies converge to utilize these advanced resources, the initiative underscores Singapore's ambition to be a leader in semiconductor research and innovation.

For a comprehensive overview of these developments, consult the Semiconductor Today coverage.