CoolCAD Electronics

CoolCAD Electronics, LLC is a specialized semiconductor company that designs and fabricates transistors and integrated circuits (ICs) from wide bandgap silicon carbide (SiC). These components are engineered for high performance in extreme environments, such as temperatures exceeding 400°C (752°F), high voltages, and high-radiation conditions, significantly outperforming traditional silicon-based chips.

The company was founded in 2008 as a spin-off from the University of Maryland's (UMD) Electronics Modeling & Mixed Signal Group by Dr. Neil Goldsman, a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at UMD, and Dr. Akin Akturk, a UMD graduate. Dr. Goldsman holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and has focused on commercializing his research, holding numerous patents. Dr. Akturk received his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland and has extensive experience in modeling semiconductor devices across a wide temperature spectrum. The company initially started as a computer-aided design (CAD) house for cryogenic electronic circuits for space and quantum computing applications. In 2010, the company expanded its operations to include the in-house design and fabrication of its own SiC-based electronic chips.

CoolCAD's business model is centered on research, development, and production of SiC and Gallium Nitride (GaN) based electronics. Revenue is generated through the sale of its SiC products and by securing federal research and development contracts, particularly Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. The company has received numerous SBIR contracts from government agencies like NASA, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Energy for developing technologies such as high-temperature power converters, radiation-tolerant switches, and solid-state memory. The company serves a diverse client base across industries including aerospace, automotive, defense, green energy generation, and industrial controls.

The company's product portfolio includes SiC MOSFETs, power diodes, high-temperature ICs, and deep ultraviolet (UV) optical sensors. These products are critical for applications such as power converters in electric vehicles and solar energy systems, radiation-hardened electronics for space missions, and UV monitoring for water purification. CoolCAD also develops its own proprietary simulation software, CoolSPICE, for designing ICs and performing thermal simulations. The company holds multiple patents for its discoveries and fabrication processes in wide bandgap SiC electronics.

Keywords: silicon carbide (SiC), wide bandgap semiconductors, high-temperature electronics, power electronics, semiconductor fabrication, integrated circuits (ICs), MOSFETs, cryogenic electronics, radiation tolerant, ultraviolet (UV) sensors, gallium nitride (GaN), government contracts, SBIR, deep space exploration, renewable energy systems, custom electronics, harsh environment, power conversion, aerospace electronics, defense applications