SemiSouth Opens New Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility
SemiSouth Laboratories announced that it has completed the construction of its new silicon carbide (SiC) manufacturing facility and has completed a large portion of the installation of its manufacturing equipment. To mark this milestone, the company held a Grand Opening celebration at the Starkville site. The event also marked the opening of II-VI, Inc.'s SiC wafer processing clean-room located inside the SemiSouth facility.
Speaking at the opening ceremonies were U.S. Congressman Chip Pickering of Mississippi's Third Congressional District; U.S. Congressman Roger Wicker of Mississippi's First Congressional District, Mississippi State University President Dr. Robert Foglesong, and Dr. Carl Johnson, CEO of II-VI, Inc. The ceremonies were lead by Dr. Jeff Casady, President and CEO of SemiSouth Laboratories, Inc.
Silicon carbide (SiC) is an emerging semiconductor technology known to have very significant advantages for energy efficient high-power applications. The key electrical properties of the technology is the ability to handle electrical power up to 10X better, with higher efficiency, and at much higher temperatures than silicon based power electronic components. The true promise of SiC is its ability to make high-end power supplies more energy efficient, run cooler and be physically smaller in size. As an example, SiC power components are expected to increase the 'fuel' efficiency of hybrid electric vehicles and help make them more affordable for consumers.
"The energy efficient technology being produced by SemiSouth has wide ranging applications that include advancing our military war fighting capabilities and helping reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources," said Congressman Wicker. "We are fortunate to have this cutting-edge company right here in the Golden Triangle area of Mississippi."
Co-founded five years ago by two Mississippi State University (MSU) professors spearheading SiC research and development activities at Mississippi State University (MSU). During the past five years, SemiSouth has grown from a small operation with three fulltime employees working out of a research lab at MSU, to an up-and-coming silicon carbide based semiconductor supplier recently named one of the top 5 most promising companies at the recent Semiconductor Venture Fair and one of the top 50 emerging technology companies in the U.S. by Dow Jones / Venture Wire. Both founders currently hold executive positions with SemiSouth. Dr. Casady is President and CEO, and Dr. Mike Mazzola is Chief Technology Officer, leading SemiSouth's continued technology development.
