The United States intends to provide up to $389 million in semiconductor R&D funding to four companies, with a focus on fusion and AI data centers美国拟向 4 家企业提供最高 3.89 亿美元半导体研发资金，核聚变与 AI 数据中心成重点

IT House October 23rd news, the US Department of Commerce announced yesterday that it plans to provide up to $389 million in R&D funds to four companies through semiconductor R&D projects under the framework of the US Chip and Science Act (IT House note: the current exchange rate is about RMB 2.620 billion) to support the R&D of power semiconductor devices and key materials. Related technologies will be applied to nuclear fusion power generation, AI data centers and power infrastructure. According to information released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Commerce has signed a letter of intent with 4 companies, and the final funding still needs to complete the follow-up process. In this plan, Helion, a nuclear fusion energy company, received the highest proposed funding amount of $175 million (the current exchange rate is about 1.17 billion yuan), which will be used to develop high-voltage power semiconductors and advanced energy power modules to support its nuclear fusion power generation system. The remaining three companies are Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Vertical Semiconductor, and Sibelco, with funding caps of $85 million (current exchange rate of about RMB 568 million), $73 million (current exchange rate of about RMB 488 million), and $56 million (current exchange rate of about RMB 375 million), respectively. Specifically, Commonwealth Fusion Systems will use the funds to develop embedded electronics for semiconductors, power electronics, nuclear fusion diagnostic systems, and radiation-resistant electronics. Vertical Semiconductor will advance the development of vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors for advanced computing devices and AI data center racks. Material supplier Sibelco will develop next-generation purification and finishing technologies for ultra-pure quartz. This type of material is used in crystal growth crucibles, craft glassware and other production equipment in the semiconductor manufacturing process, and its purity and processing quality will affect the relevant manufacturing process. The funding is part of a $10 billion semiconductor R&D funding program approved by the U.S. Congress in 2022 (current exchange rate of about RMB 66.882 billion). The Commerce Department has provided 19 R&D grants to semiconductor companies through the program in recent months, Reuters reported. As a condition of receiving the funds, the U.S. Government will acquire a minority interest in each of the subsidized businesses in the Final Grant Agreement, with no control or voting rights.