US Awards I-Pulse $250 Million for Chip, Geothermal Drilling Technology
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 25
US Awards I-Pulse $250 Million for Chip, Geothermal Drilling Technology
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 25
Summary
$250 million in CHIPS funding will go to I-Pulse Inc. for semiconductor and pulsed-power development, adding the Robert Friedland-backed venture to Washington’s push to shore up domestic chip capacity.
The award targets semiconductor components for a geothermal drilling method that uses bursts of high-power electricity, according to the company’s statement on Thursday.
I-Pulse operates laboratories in New Mexico, tying the project to US-based research as the Commerce Department uses CHIPS money to cut reliance on foreign semiconductor supply chains.
Could a $250M bet on pulsed-power tech unlock America's geothermal energy and critical mineral independence?
Beyond chips, is pulsed-power the next frontier in the global tech race for energy and resource dominance?
How a $250 Million CHIPS Act Grant to I-Pulse Could Revolutionize U.S. Geothermal Energy and Semiconductor Supply Chains
Overview
On June 25, 2026, the Department of Commerce’s CHIPS program awarded $250 million to I-Pulse Inc., marking a major step toward American technological independence and energy security. This investment accelerates the development of advanced semiconductor components, which are essential for I-Pulse’s innovative geothermal drilling technique using powerful surges of electricity. By enabling new, sustainable domestic energy sources, this approach directly strengthens the nation’s energy security. The award also supports the CHIPS Act’s broader goals of reindustrialization and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains, positioning I-Pulse as a key player in America’s strategic technological future.