Warwick Secures Funding to Boost UK Wide-Bandgap Power Semiconductor Reliability Testing

Why It Matters

Reliable WBG devices are critical for safety‑critical electrification, and this capability reduces product risk while accelerating UK manufacturers’ time‑to‑market.

Key Takeaways

• Funding buys ipTEST’s WBG reliability tester.
• Enables UK’s first SiC and GaN reliability database.
• Supports SMEs lacking in‑house testing capabilities.
• Accelerates validation for EV and renewable power systems.
• Positions UK as European WBG testing hub.

Pulse Analysis

Wide‑bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride are reshaping power electronics, delivering higher efficiency and faster switching for electric vehicles, grid‑scale renewables, and aerospace systems. Their adoption is accelerating globally, with market forecasts predicting multi‑billion‑dollar growth over the next decade. However, the very properties that make WBG devices attractive—high voltage tolerance and thermal resilience—also introduce complex failure modes that traditional silicon testing cannot fully capture, making dedicated reliability assessment essential for safety‑critical deployments.

The UK has historically lagged behind the United States and East Asia in providing industrial‑scale WBG testing infrastructure. By installing ipTEST’s dynamic reliability and robustness tester, Warwick fills a critical gap, offering repeatable, industry‑aligned stress testing that mirrors real‑world fault conditions. The system’s ability to generate a comprehensive SiC and GaN reliability dataset will serve both academia and manufacturers, enabling data‑driven design improvements and reducing costly field failures. Moreover, the facility’s open‑access model lowers barriers for SMEs and start‑ups that lack capital for in‑house labs, fostering a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.

Strategically, the new capability strengthens the UK’s position in the global power‑electronics supply chain. A national testing service can become a revenue‑generating hub, attracting international device suppliers seeking independent validation. Faster, more confident product qualification shortens development cycles, helping UK firms compete for contracts in electric‑vehicle platforms, offshore wind converters, and defense applications. In the longer term, the reliability database will inform standards bodies and accelerate the certification of next‑generation WBG components, reinforcing the UK’s reputation as a leader in sustainable technology development.