The US will fund the development of chips needed for the energy sector with $389 million

The US Department of Commerce will allocate up to $389 million in total to four companies for research into semiconductors, energy technologies, and materials needed for chip manufacturing. In exchange, the government will receive a small stake in each company, though it will have no voting rights and will not be involved in their management.

Helion will receive up to $175 million to develop high-voltage semiconductors and technologies needed for nuclear fusion energy.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems will be given $85 million for the development of radiation-resistant electronics and robotic systems.

Vertical Semiconductor, a spinoff from MIT, will receive up to $73 million for the development of gallium nitride chips. Such chips help make electricity use in data centers more efficient.

Sibelco North America will be given $56 million to process ultra-high-purity quartz. This material is needed for semiconductor manufacturing.

The program is funded by the $10 billion research fund approved by Congress in 2022. The Department of Commerce has already issued 19 similar grants in the chip sector in recent months.

Source: Reuters