I-Pulse has signed a definitive agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Research and Development Office for a $250 million award to advance its silicon carbide semiconductor and pulsed power technologies. The funding will support research aimed at strengthening U.S. semiconductor capabilities and developing technologies for energy, industrial and defense applications.
The agreement is part of the U.S. government’s broader effort to expand domestic semiconductor research, reinforce critical supply chains and accelerate commercialization of advanced technologies under the CHIPS program.
According to the Department of Commerce, the award will help strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing while supporting national security and energy objectives. The program also aligns with broader CHIPS priorities, including expanding research, developing a skilled workforce and bringing new semiconductor technologies to market.
I-Pulse said it will use the funding to develop high-temperature, high-current silicon carbide semiconductor components in collaboration with U.S. national laboratories, universities and specialized manufacturers. The devices are designed to operate in extreme environments where conventional semiconductor technologies face performance limitations.
The company’s research will focus on solid-state switches capable of handling high voltages and high currents. These components have applications across geothermal energy, mining, advanced manufacturing, rock crushing and defense systems.
A major focus of the program is geothermal drilling. I-Pulse is developing a pulsed power drilling system that uses short, high-energy electrical pulses to fracture hard rock before it reaches the drill bit. The approach is intended to increase drilling speeds, reduce equipment wear and lower drilling costs.
The company said the technology could unlock geothermal resources in hot granite formations across the United States. It plans to commercialize the drilling platform through its subsidiary, G-Pulse, and other U.S.-based operations.
Reliable geothermal power is attracting growing attention as electricity demand rises from data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure and industrial facilities. Unlike solar and wind generation, geothermal energy can provide continuous baseload power independent of weather conditions.
The award will also expand I-Pulse’s research activities in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The facility will be led by Dr. Rick Spielman and Dr. Randy Curry and is expected to become one of the country’s largest private-sector centers for pulsed power research. Albuquerque is home to Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, both long associated with advanced pulsed power technologies.
Pulsed power was initially developed for defense and scientific applications. I-Pulse is seeking to adapt the technology for commercial use by combining advanced semiconductor devices with high-energy switching systems.
The company believes the technology could support applications beyond geothermal energy, including mineral extraction, industrial processing, manufacturing, agriculture and defense.
Bill Frauenhofer, Executive Director for Semiconductor Investment and Innovation at the Department of Commerce, said silicon carbide-based switching technology could enable critical industries to operate under extreme temperatures and harsh environments.
