I-Pulse has secured a $250 million award under the US CHIPS program to advance silicon-carbide semiconductor technology for industrial and energy applications.
BHP-backed deep-tech company I-Pulse has secured a $250 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the CHIPS Research and Development program to accelerate semiconductor and pulsed-power technology development, Reuters reported.
The funding aims to support U.S. semiconductor research, strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity and improve supply-chain resilience.
I-Pulse said the investment will be used to develop high-performance silicon-carbide semiconductor components, which are increasingly critical for power-intensive industrial applications.
The company, co-founded by mining financier Robert Friedland and Chief Technology Officer Laurent Frescaline, said its pulsed-power systems can be deployed across sectors including geothermal drilling, mining, rock crushing, manufacturing and defence.
“In geothermal drilling, the pulses fracture rock more efficiently, improving drilling speed and drill-bit life while potentially reducing costs,” the company said.
The program will be led by I-Pulse’s Albuquerque team, located near Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. The initiative will also involve collaboration with U.S. national laboratories, universities and specialized manufacturers.
The development highlights growing investment in advanced semiconductor technologies supporting energy, industrial and strategic sectors.
