Wolfspeed Co-Founder Elected to National Academy of Engineering
John Palmour honoured for the development of SiC-based advanced electronic devices
The US National Academy of Engineering has elected Wolfspeed co-founder and CTO John Palmour into the organisation’s 2022 class for the development of SiC-based advanced electronic devices.
Palmour was one of the graduate students from North Carolina State University who founded the company (then, Cree) in 1987 with the belief that SiC could enable superior semiconductor technology. With his knowledge and expertise, Palmour has helped Wolfspeed transform and evolve. Now, over 30 years later, the business has grown into a pure-play semiconductor powerhouse leading the industry transition from silicon to SIC.
“We all feel privileged to be working alongside John,” said Wolfspeed Chief Executive Officer Gregg Lowe, “His passion and expertise with this transformational technology has led our team to groundbreaking innovation over the years and today is enabling us to help our customers reach new levels of energy efficiency.”
Palmour has championed SiC for power and GaN on SiC for RF for over 30 years, enabling faster, more energy-efficient technologies that are foundational for many industries as they prepare and adapt for a more sustainable future. The company congratulates him and the other innovators who were also elected to the 2022 class.
Palmour has written a total of 386 scientific publications and holds 81 US patents in the areas of processing and device designs for SiC and GaN electronic devices.
Membership in the National Academy of Engineering is one of the highest professional distinctions for an engineer, honouring those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research and practice, including pioneering of new and developing fields of technology and making major advancements in engineering.
This year, 111 new members and 22 international members were elected. Their formal induction will take place on Oct. 2, 2022, at the National Academy of Engineering’s Annual Meeting.
