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Featured Wolfspeed Opens the World’s Largest and only 200 mm Silicon Carbide Wafer Fabrication in the US.

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by drash, Apr 27, 2022.

  1. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    #1 drash, Apr 27, 2022
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    That article didn't explain why Silicon Carbide is different/better than standard?

    Is it just that it handles lots of volts and amps better than other options? Or something else?
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Apr 27, 2022
  3. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Couple of reasons it's better:

    1. Not only does it handle power better and, equally important, faster, it remains much cooler doing so.
    2. It acts as an isolation layer, so voltages and power don't bleed over. Excellent native EMP isolation.
    Main customers are 5G and EV manufacturers. Military will be beating down their door. Tesla has pretty much switched wholesale for their power electronics and Toyota is rapidly going down that path. @bwilson4web can also point out advantages.

    Edit: Added bwilson4web to post
     
    #3 drash, Apr 27, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2022
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  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Here is a better technical summary:
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/power-management/whitepaper/21236972/onsemi-whats-the-difference-between-silicon-carbide-and-silicon

    When either a silicon or silicon-carbide (SiC) device is OFF or ON, there is almost no heat generated. But the transition between means a short but significant current will flow and generate heat. The SiC switches faster than ordinary silicon so the heat generating region is minimized. Heat is the signature of power loss and inefficiency.

    The heat power is the voltage times the current. When OFF, there is voltage but almost no current. When ON, there is current but almost no voltage. It is transitioning between ON and OFF that there is both current and voltage for the brief time it takes. SiC has the shortest time.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Apr 27, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2022
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  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Aren't the SiC more heat tolerant, allowing the use of a single cooling circuit in a hybrid, instead of separate ones for the engine and inverter?
     
    #5 Trollbait, Apr 28, 2022
  6. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Yes Toyota has pursued them for specifically not requiring liquid cooling, but simple air cooling. Helps with making everything smaller and, thus, more efficient. Shorter energy paths save energy.
     
    #6 drash, Apr 28, 2022
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