The US Commerce Department plans to award $389 million (₹3,693 crore) in research and development funding to four companies working on power semiconductor devices and critical materials, with the programme aimed at supporting technologies including commercial fusion, artificial intelligence data centres and semiconductor manufacturing.
As a condition of the funding, the US government will receive minority, non-controlling and non-voting equity stakes in the companies, the department said.
The new awards follow a series of semiconductor research grants made in recent months from a $10 billion (₹94,946 crore) fund approved by Congress in 2022.
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Helion to Receive Up to $175 Million
Washington-based Helion is set to receive up to $175 million (₹1,662 crore) to develop high-voltage power semiconductors and advanced energy power modules for fusion power generation.
The semiconductors are intended to power and use energy from magnets that drive Helion’s fusion generators.
Helion said the federal award would be accompanied by $50 million (₹475 crore) in new private investment.
Massachusetts-based Commonwealth Fusion Systems will receive up to $85 million (₹807 crore) to develop semiconductors for radio-frequency plasma heating, power electronics, fusion diagnostics and radiation-hardened electronics.
The company said the funding would also support semiconductor technologies for robotic maintenance systems linked to commercial fusion deployment.
AI Data Centres Included in Semiconductor Funding
Vertical Semiconductor is set to receive up to $73 million (₹693 crore) to advance vertical gallium nitride power semiconductors designed for use in artificial intelligence data-centre racks.
The company, which was spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the funding would support research and development of next-generation power transistors and help accelerate domestic production.
The technology is intended to improve efficiency and power density in AI data centres and critical energy infrastructure.
Sibelco Gets Up to $56 Million for High-Purity Quartz
Sibelco North America will receive up to $56 million (₹532 crore) to develop next-generation purification technologies for ultra-high-purity quartz used in the semiconductor supply chain.
The company said the funding would support new leaching technologies and a demonstration facility in North Carolina for testing new products.
Sibelco North America is part of Belgium-based Sibelco.
The Commerce Department said the latest awards are intended to accelerate semiconductor innovation and strengthen domestic energy and power technologies.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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