Ideal Power Inc (NASDAQ:IPWR) has successfully qualified its second wafer fabrication supplier with high-volume production capabilities.
The European facility enables dual sourcing for wafer fabrication, ensuring ample capacity to meet anticipated customer demand over the next two to three years and support future revenue growth, the technology company said in a statement.
Dual sourcing for wafer fabrication across distinct geographies mitigates supply chain risks with no reliance on China or Taiwan.
What’s more, the supplier possesses expertise in the commercial manufacturing of high-power, bipolar devices.
Ideal Power said the supplier's qualification as a semiconductor wafer manufacturer for multiple Tier 1 automotive suppliers puts the company in a position to engage automotive OEMs and Tier 1 automotive suppliers.
Dan Brdar, CEO of Ideal Power, called the qualification a “key milestone” for the Austin, Texas-based company.
“This fab successfully completed a multi-wafer full process flow engineering run of double-sided B-TRAN wafers,” Brdar said in a statement.
“By leveraging our proprietary and proven process flow, this foundry was able to produce functional, bidirectional devices on their initial run without the need for special equipment or capital investment.”
Ideal Power's B-TRAN semiconductor power switch are capable of reducing power losses by 50% or more compared to conventional switches, which translates into lower heat generation and substantially diminished thermal management requirements.
B-TRAN's symmetric bidirectional operation reduces the number of components required for applications by nearly 75% compared to conventional alternatives.