Macrocore Semiconductor: The third generation semiconductor "Golden Track"

Sail with the wind, advance into the blue ocean and ride the wind and waves

"When I first came into contact with the development of silicon carbide semiconductor devices, it was still a 2-inch wafer, and now it is 6-inch mass production and even has an 8-inch wafer."

After graduating from the Royal Swedish Institute of Technology, Zhang Zhenzhong entered the Swedish National Research Institute to engage in the research and development of silicon carbide materials and power devices. In 2011, he founded the Swedish Ascatron company and served as the chief engineer, focusing on the design and manufacture of silicon carbide epitaxial wafers and power devices. In 2015, he began to cooperate with domestic manufacturers.

chances are for people who are prepared. Driven by localization substitution and industrial upgrading, Zhang Zhenzhong is keenly aware that the third generation of domestic semiconductors will usher in the next industrial wave. After diligently tempering and waiting for the wind, after realizing that China has the largest application market for third-generation semiconductor materials, and that the industrial chain is complete and can be independently controlled, Zhang Zhenzhong chose to seize the opportunity bravely, resolutely returned to China, and established Suzhou Macrocore Semiconductor Ltd.

"Suzhou is striving to build 'one district and two centers', focusing on supporting the development of the semiconductor industry. Whether it is policy support, industrial distribution or capital resources, it is very attractive. The park has very mature industrial facilities and services for R&D enterprises like us. Support is undoubtedly fertile ground for the growth of our enterprise, so we finally chose to start our journey in the park." Talking about setting up the industrial park, Zhang Zhenzhong was full of emotion: "For startup companies, time is life. For example, site decoration, if our company owns It takes at least half a year to a year to be in charge, and it takes at least half a year to a year to coordinate and communicate with the engineering team, electricity, fire protection, security, etc. This is a huge time cost for a start-up company like us, but the industrial park This helped us solve it all. After our company was incorporated, we moved in directly, allowing us to focus more on R&D and polishing products.”

Focus on Segmentation，Ten years of accumulation

"In the semiconductor industry, it is not easy to find a senior designer who has been engaged in the research and development of silicon materials for more than 10 years, let alone a team that has been focusing on the design of silicon carbide semiconductor devices. Our R&D team has been deeply involved in the field of semiconductor innovation for many years, and he has rich experience in marketization and is very competitive." Zhang Zhenzhong said. It is reported that the core R&D technicians of Macrocore Semiconductor have worked in the semiconductor field for more than 10 years. The research field covers upstream materials and processes of the silicon carbide industry chain, midstream devices, packaging, and downstream applications to achieve full coverage of the industry chain.

The wind is blowing, and chasing the wind requires sailors who set sail, and more importantly, a good helmsman. As the core figure of the team, Dr. Zhang Zhenzhong has more than 10 years of experience in ultra-clean room operation management, process equipment and process management, and was awarded the 2021 Suzhou Industrial Park Leading Talent. He has participated in the R&D and business cooperation of ABB, Infineon, Samsung and other multinational companies, and successfully developed 1.2kV to 10kV silicon carbide diodes, MOSFETs and JFETs and other devices. Long-term R&D accumulation and years of market experience have given birth to the powerful explosive power of Macrocore Semiconductor.

Under the leadership of Zhang Zhenzhong, Zhongrui Hongxin focuses on the R&D and industrialization of core technologies in the third-generation semiconductor silicon carbide field. There are a series of high-end products such as silicon carbide high-voltage diode JBS and MOSFET power devices, and at the same time master a number of core technologies. Among them, the silicon carbide device with 3D structure developed by the team not only increases the current density compared with the current mainstream products in the market, but also improves the reverse withstand voltage and avalanche capability. The reverse leakage current at room temperature and high temperature of 200 degrees Celsius is higher than the international same. Type products are as much as one to two orders of magnitude lower, especially for the defense industry and aerospace fields.

Cohesive innovation, Embrace the incremental stride into the future

The third-generation semiconductor industry oligarchic pattern has not yet been formed, and the market opportunity is huge. In order to actively occupy the market, Zhang Zhenzhong quickly completed the initial industrial chain layout of the company with his strong R&D capabilities and industrial chain coordination capabilities. Although it has only been four months since its establishment, Macrocore Semiconductor has completed the angel round of financing, and has established cooperative relationships with a number of leading electric vehicle and new energy manufacturers to design and process chips in line with actual production needs.

Macrocore Semiconductor is in the middle of the third-generation semiconductor industry. Relying on semiconductor design, with the basic advantages of the upstream epitaxial material link, it develops automotive-grade module packaging downstream, and its profit prospects are very considerable. It is reported that it is expected to achieve mass production of more than 20 million yuan next year.

Looking forward to the future, Dr. Zhang Zhenzhong is very confident, he said that with the gradual reduction of the cost of silicon carbide and the continuous expansion of the application side, the future market development has broad prospects. Macrocore Semiconductor will further improve the construction of product production lines, adhere to innovation-driven, focus on the future, and continue to invest in research and development. Iterative upgrade of technology and products. He looks forward to occupying a place on the subdivision track, and at the same time, it can also help to enhance the independent guarantee capability of my country's third-generation semiconductor supply chain.

Author Chen Yiwei

"Suzhou Daily" November 26, 2021 Edition B02