Dynex Semiconductor is celebrating the launch of its new Research & Development Center (RDC) – part of an €11.25 million investment in what the company says is groundbreaking technologies and new jobs.
The €1.8m, energy-efficient, center is part of a three-year program which is creating up to 40 skilled engineering jobs and safeguarding its 315-strong city workforce.
The project – developed by Dynex in partnership with Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric (the majority shareholder of its parent Dynex Power Inc., Canada) – means the company is in a strong position to take advantage of the power electronics revolution.
Dynex’s President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Paul Taylor said: "Our major investment programme started in May 2010, when we announced the start of the R&D project to expand that team, by forming a joint operation with CSR. At that time there were 12 R&D people at Lincoln. Since then we have expanded to employ 32. We are still recruiting, with the aim of having 50 engineers working in the new building."
Dynex designs and makes high power bipolar semiconductors, insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules and electronic assemblies.
"The power semiconductor device is at the very heart of all modern power electronic systems. Whether wind, solar, tidal, wave, coal, gas or nuclear energy, we need safe, smart and reliable interconnection to the electric grid and safe, smart and reliable power transmission and power quality," said Dr Taylor.
"Whether for driving motors and power equipment for cars, locomotives, metros and manufacturing, for powering our communications, aircraft, keeping the lights on or for keeping us warm in winter and cool in the summer, the power device is the workhorse that enables the control of electric energy to drive these sectors and more."
Dynex’s R&D team is busy on a range of projects designed to create the applications needed to meet the demands of tomorrow’s key energy, transport and industrial sectors, serving a low carbon society.
The RDC has already produced trial samples for CSR Times Electric for its Chinese locomotive and metro applications. The same product is expected to later become a key component in power conversion applications for electric grid use.
"There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a power electronics revolution and that Dynex and CSR Times Electric are well-placed to deliver the advanced innovative power products fuelling this revolution and to deliver the future developments in advanced semiconductor components that will be required," said Dr Taylor.
Dynex’s R&D teams work closely with university groups, such as Nottingham, Loughborough, Warwick and others, on advanced research topics and knowledge transfer projects.
"We are now building relationships with the new Engineering School at the University of Lincoln and we have benefited for many years from educational links with Lincoln College," added Dr Taylor.
More news and information regarding the latest developments in Smart Grid electronics can be found at Darnell’s SmartGridElectronics.Net.
