RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerAmerica,
the Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing Innovation
Institute, and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) are partnering to
develop a new generation of power-efficient microelectronic devices
that will reduce energy loss across the power grid and enhance the
performance of future aerospace systems.
Led by NC State University, PowerAmerica is one of five
institutes established to date under the National Network for
Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), a nationwide network aimed at
revolutionizing American manufacturing. As one of the institute's
sustaining members, Lockheed Martin will partner on projects to
accelerate the commercialization of wide bandgap power electronics
technologies, which allow for electronic components to be smaller,
faster and more efficient than their current silicon-based
counterparts.
"Wide bandgap semiconductors have huge potential for aerospace
and defense, especially in embedded power systems and high-power
radio frequency applications," said Jeff
Wilcox, vice president of engineering for Lockheed Martin.
"For example, next-generation power electronics could significantly
reduce the size of an aircraft's cooling system. Just as important,
this technology will reduce operating costs in large data centers
and decrease energy use across the entire power grid."
Through partnerships with industry, academia and government,
PowerAmerica will establish a workforce development program and
apply next-generation technology to develop new design tools,
provide data, and improve processes, manufacturing techniques and
packaging solutions.
"At PowerAmerica, we are capturing the most promising technical
solutions in power electronics to accelerate the commercialization
of wide bandgap semiconductor technologies," said Gen. Nick Justice, executive director at
PowerAmerica. "Right now, these technologies are too
expensive to get into products to reap the advantages, but thanks
to partners like Lockheed Martin, we can bring costs down and open
the door to electronic devices that will perform better, be more
efficient and cost less."
For more information, visit www.poweramericainstitute.com
or www.lockheedmartin.com.
About PowerAmerica
PowerAmerica,
also called the Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing
Innovation Institute, is part of a network of institutes initiated
by the U.S. Department of Defense to revolutionize American
manufacturing. Led by NC State University with offices on the
university's award-winning Centennial Campus, the institute will
develop new advanced manufacturing processes built around wide
bandgap technologies and provide educational opportunities for
students from middle school to college.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in
Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed
Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs
approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged
in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
The Corporation's net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin