The third-generation semiconductor material "Silicon Carbide" (SiC) helps to extend the endurance of electric vehicles and also plays an important role in future decarbonization. Various manufacturers are also fiercely competing for patents.
At present, this silicon carbide material technology is mainly dominated by American and Japanese manufacturers, and the number of patents occupies the top five. The US company Wolfspeed (formerly CREE) has obtained the most. After that, it was all taken by Japanese companies. Japanese chip manufacturer Rohm took the first place. Second place, followed by Sumitomo Electric, Mitsubishi Electric and Denso.
SiC is harder than silicon, the mainstream material in the chip industry, has more stable performance, can load higher voltage and high frequency current, and also helps save energy. In addition, Tesla is the first to use SiC chips in mass-produced cars , Help promote the demand for SiC materials, and become more popular in areas such as electric vehicles or the solar energy industry.
The ranking of Japanese research company Patent Result is based on the number of patents issued in the United States before July 29, 2021, and then the number and the degree of attention are converted into the number.
According to Patent Result analysis, Wolfspeed has the strongest competitiveness and the most patents in the SiC field. Its advantage lies in SiC substrate and epitaxial technology; Rohm and Denso have the advantage of reducing power loss; Sumitomo Electric specializes in SiC crystal structure; Mitsubishi Electric has strong strength in the structure of semiconductor equipment.