Wolfspeed and NC A&T to build new U.S. R&D center to drive next-gen silicon carbide innovation

Wolfspeed, Inc., a leader in silicon carbide technology, has announced a strategic partnership with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to establish a new U.S.-based research and development facility focused on advanced compound semiconductors. The collaboration aims to anchor long-term innovation in silicon carbide device development while cultivating a diverse, next-generation semiconductor workforce rooted in North Carolina.

The proposed R&D facility will be located on the NC A&T campus in Greensboro and is designed to serve as a core pillar in Wolfspeed’s rapidly expanding manufacturing and innovation ecosystem. Both partners have confirmed plans to submit the project for funding under the CHIPS and Science Act, reflecting a strong alignment with U.S. national priorities for semiconductor self-sufficiency and talent pipeline development.

How will the Wolfspeed–NC A&T R&D facility contribute to silicon carbide innovation in the U.S.?

The new R&D facility is expected to advance silicon carbide semiconductor research by enabling next-generation materials development, device prototyping, and process breakthroughs that can accelerate the transition from conventional silicon to more efficient, high-performance silicon carbide technologies.

Wolfspeed President and Chief Executive Officer Gregg Lowe stated that the new center builds on years of collaboration with North Carolina A&T. He emphasized the facility’s role in not just education but technical innovation. According to Lowe, the R&D facility will provide a critical launchpad for the “next generation of innovators to explore new processes, applications, and breakthrough advancements” that help industries achieve better energy efficiency and sustainability.

The initiative aligns with Wolfspeed’s long-term commitment to making silicon carbide the standard material for power semiconductors, particularly in the automotive, industrial, and renewable energy sectors.

Why is North Carolina A&T critical to Wolfspeed’s talent and R&D strategy?

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the largest historically Black university (HBCU) in the United States, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce for the semiconductor industry. The school is nationally recognized for its engineering and computer science programs and is consistently ranked among the top three public research universities in North Carolina.

Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. of NC A&T underscored the broader economic and social importance of the partnership. He noted that the facility “will integrate our research and development interests toward major economic and social impact,” with potential effects extending beyond North Carolina and into the global semiconductor landscape.

This collaboration enhances North Carolina’s position as a rising hub in America’s semiconductor resurgence and creates pathways for more inclusive participation in high-tech sectors.

What role will the new facility play in Wolfspeed’s U.S. manufacturing ecosystem?

The proposed R&D center is expected to act as an innovation feeder into Wolfspeed’s expanding silicon carbide manufacturing footprint in North Carolina. Most notably, it is designed to complement the under-construction John Palmour Manufacturing Center for Silicon Carbide in Siler City, which represents a multibillion-dollar investment in 200mm wafer fabrication capacity.

Once operational, the John Palmour Center is expected to supply 200mm silicon carbide wafers to Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab in upstate New York, which was inaugurated as the world’s first 200mm dedicated silicon carbide fabrication facility. The R&D center at NC A&T will provide upstream innovation support for these production facilities, accelerating Wolfspeed’s development of next-gen device architectures, materials science innovations, and energy-efficient power semiconductors.

This integrated approach reinforces Wolfspeed’s vertically aligned manufacturing strategy, combining wafer production, materials development, and device fabrication into a unified value chain.

What is Wolfspeed’s broader expansion strategy and how does the NC A&T partnership fit?

In addition to its North Carolina initiatives, Wolfspeed is scaling its global footprint. Just weeks before the NC A&T announcement, the American semiconductor developer unveiled plans to build a new state-of-the-art 200mm wafer fabrication plant in Saarland, Germany. The facility, which will be Wolfspeed’s first in Europe, is part of a broader effort to serve growing demand in electric vehicles, industrial motors, and renewable energy conversion across the continent.

The partnership with NC A&T reinforces Wolfspeed’s belief that technological innovation must be matched by workforce innovation. As such, the company is investing not only in facilities, but also in people—particularly through STEM education and hands-on research opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The R&D center is also expected to create a pipeline for local internships, apprenticeships, and post-doctoral fellowships.

Why is silicon carbide seen as the future of power electronics?

Silicon carbide (SiC) is gaining attention across the semiconductor industry as a superior material for power electronics. Compared to traditional silicon, silicon carbide can withstand higher voltages, operate at higher temperatures, and deliver significantly greater energy efficiency. This makes it ideal for applications in electric vehicles, high-voltage industrial systems, grid infrastructure, and renewable power systems.

Wolfspeed, formerly known as Cree, has long been at the forefront of SiC commercialization. The company began focusing exclusively on silicon carbide and gallium nitride (GaN) devices after divesting its lighting business in 2021. Wolfspeed’s vertically integrated model—from wafer to fab—allows it to optimize every step of the process and meet growing customer demand for high-reliability SiC devices.

According to institutional research available in early 2023, the global silicon carbide semiconductor market was expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30% from 2023 through 2030. Much of this demand is being driven by accelerating EV adoption, especially in China, Europe, and North America.

What does the CHIPS and Science Act offer to initiatives like this?

The CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law in August 2022, earmarked over $50 billion in funding to revitalize America’s semiconductor industry. A significant portion of that investment is designated for research, innovation, and workforce development. This includes $11 billion reserved for semiconductor R&D, with a specific call to action for regional partnerships and academic-industry collaborations.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for R&D facilities is expected to be released in fall 2023. The Wolfspeed–NC A&T proposal is being timed to align with this opportunity. Should the joint application be successful, it could receive substantial federal backing, further cementing North Carolina as a national center of excellence in wide bandgap semiconductor innovation.

Academic-industry collaborations like this are precisely what policymakers had in mind when drafting the CHIPS legislation, which seeks to address both supply chain vulnerabilities and long-term innovation gaps in the domestic semiconductor industry.

How are industry observers viewing Wolfspeed’s positioning?

Analysts tracking semiconductor supply chains see Wolfspeed as a first mover in silicon carbide manufacturing scale, particularly in the 200mm wafer segment. Institutional sentiment in early 2023 remained broadly positive, with many experts citing Wolfspeed’s manufacturing integration and talent development initiatives as key differentiators in a crowded global market.

The NC A&T partnership is seen as further evidence that Wolfspeed is not only building capacity but doing so with strategic foresight—investing in education, regional partnerships, and innovation ecosystems that can yield long-term competitive advantage.

Given the growing global race for semiconductor leadership, Wolfspeed’s ability to marry technical leadership with social and workforce commitments could help it secure both market share and policy support.

Can this partnership become a blueprint for inclusive semiconductor innovation?

The Wolfspeed–NC A&T collaboration represents more than just an academic tie-up or a new facility. It is a model for how the future of semiconductors can be built on the principles of technological excellence, diversity, and regional empowerment. By situating a cutting-edge R&D center within a leading HBCU, Wolfspeed is redefining what inclusive innovation looks like in an industry historically concentrated in a few coastal hubs.

If fully realized, the initiative could serve as a powerful blueprint for other states, academic institutions, and private-sector players looking to participate in America’s semiconductor resurgence.