In the late 1970s and early 80s, the North Carolina legislature made a strategic decision to invest in semiconductor technologies by creating the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC). The goal was to attract semiconductor companies to Research Triangle Park (RTP) in hopes of dominating the emerging industry. While RTP ultimately lost out to Silicon Valley in leading the global microelectronics boom, the state still saw significant economic success.
One of the key outcomes of the MCNC investment was the creation of a statewide fiber optics network, connecting every school, community college, and university to high-speed fiber. Additionally, NC IDEA, a private foundation that grants non-dilutive funding to entrepreneurs statewide, spun out of the original effort. These initiatives helped position North Carolina as a hub for innovation and technology.
Being recognized as a global center of excellence is crucial in attracting talent and investment. Just as Nashville is known for country music and Hollywood for film, Silicon Valley has been synonymous with tech entrepreneurship for decades. However, with the end of Moore’s Law approaching and the rise of new semiconductor technologies, there is an opportunity for North Carolina to lead in this evolving industry.
Traditionally, Silicon Valley thrived on miniaturization, with silicon transistors driving the computing revolution. However, as demands for higher computing power shift towards new technologies like quantum computing, wide bandgap semiconductors are gaining prominence. Made from materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), these semiconductors offer higher breakdown electric fields and thermal conductivity, making them ideal for high-power applications.
The energy sector is undergoing a transformation towards renewable energy and electric vehicles, driving the need for wide bandgap semiconductors. These materials are essential for applications such as grid-scale electricity distribution, solar energy inverters, and wind turbine power converters. As the energy grid becomes more dynamic and digital, wide bandgap semiconductors will play a crucial role in enabling efficient energy distribution.
North Carolina has a unique opportunity to lead in the development of wide bandgap semiconductors, with significant research and industry presence in the state. Companies like Wolfspeed, a market leader in wide bandgap manufacturing, have roots in North Carolina, and ongoing research initiatives like CLAWS are furthering advancements in this field. With federal support and early traction in the industry, North Carolina could potentially become a hub for wide bandgap semiconductor technologies.
To learn more about the advancements in semiconductor technologies and the integration of renewable energy sources into the energy grid, interested individuals can attend a free event hosted by RIoT and the Research Triangle Foundation. The event, scheduled for the evening of Aug. 28 at Cary Founded, will feature a panel discussion on this topic. By participating in events like these, individuals can contribute to North Carolina’s leadership in the next semiconductor economy and help shape the future of technology and energy innovation.
