Heliovolt Cuts Jobs as it Shifts to Manufacturing
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 7, 2009...Heliovolt, a thin-film solar cell maker based in Austin, Texas USA, has announced what it is calling a "modest" layoff. The company indicated in an Austin American Statesman article that the layoff was the natural result of the company's shift from a development company to a manufacturer. The producer of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) flexible thin-film solar cells that can be placed directly on building materials, opened a 122,400-square foot plant in October 2008.
The job cuts were "a natural consequence of the transition of the company from being development-oriented to ramping up for manufacturing operations," company founder and chief executive B.J. Stanbery said. "We have had to rebalance our work force in a tough economic environment where we need to be careful with our cash."
The company says it will have its factory qualified to begin production later this year.
Falling oil prices have put a serious damper on investment in solar in the later half of 2008. The article said that some industry experts predict that an oversupply resulting from the lower oil prices will cause an industry shakeup sometime in 2010.
A company spokesperson for Heliovolt said in the article that about 15 jobs were cut from the seven-year-old company.
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January 7, 2009...Hazmat crews reportedly responded to a hazardous materials situation at TriQuints Hillsboro, Oregon manufacturing facility on Monday. at about 11:58 am.
The incident reportedly happened when an employee mistakenly mixed two chemicals that produced a toxic gas in a Class 10 clean room. The company reported that thankfully their were no injuries and no environmental impact from the incident.
TriQuint noted that its facility was shut down for planned annual maintenance.
TriQuint said that a small team was preparing for the factory restart, and repouring process solutions when a mistake in mixing was made. According to TriQuint, once an employee realized chemicals were incorrectly mixed, he notified his supervisor, at which time they evacuated the small staff in the factory, and immediately notified the local fire department. The county Hazardous Materials (HazMat) team came on-site to aid in case a situation developed.
TriQuint said that the employee was experienced in the process and noticed a slight foam bubble in the solution, which was not normal. The company said that it was this slight foam bubble that prompted the employee to tell his supervisor who called the Hazmat team as a standard precaution. TriQuint emphasized that no plume or gas cloud occurred, and that its HazMat clean-up vendor disposed of the solution, and the ventilation system cycled any residuals as it was supposed to do. Company News Release Emcore Responds to Allegations and Fulfills SEC Rule
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 7, 2009...Emcore, a maker of gallium arsenide multi-junction solar cells which has faced a class action lawsuit on behalf of stockholders, has responded to allegations of SEC regulation violations. The lawsuit and a separate investigation have focused disclosure issues surrounding the company's drop in order backlog.
The company notes that it filed its form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission on December 30, 2008.
Emcore notes that in the form it has outlined cost reduction methods to improve the company's future liquidity. Emcore points out that its cost cutting initiatives include a realignment of the its businesses, structural cost and headcount reductions, reduction of capital spending, a greater emphasis on managing working capital, liquefying auction rate securities and pursuing certain asset sales including the recently completed sale of non-core equity interests for approximately $5.7 million in cash.
Emcore also noted that in October it secured a $25 million line of credit and made a corresponding announcement at that time. Emcore says that it is making this latest announcement to comply with NASDAQ rule 4350(b)(1). This rule is due to a recent audit opinion concerning the company's qualification for NASDAQ listing. Company News Release
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SMI Licenses SiC MOCVD Enabling Technology from VEECO
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 5, 2009...Structured Materials Industries (SMI) reports that it has licensed silicon carbide (SiC) MOCVD enabling technology from Veeco. SMI indicated that it would use the technology to enhance its SiC production tools that it hopes to offer soon.
SMI reports that it is presently developing SiC production tools scaled at multiple 2-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch production scales. The company contends its tools feature compatibility with advanced processes featuring high and efficient deposition rates. Dr. Gary S. Tompa was quoted as saying “SMI’s licensing of Veeco SiC MOCVD technology will greatly further and expand our efforts in helping to commercialize SiC MOCVD production tools. Over the past few years, SMI has made teamings for the development of SiC processes and dedicated device enabling materials production tools.” SiC is the only solution for highest power and/or high temperature devices in small packages. Applications include solar, automotive, military, and other industries. SMI says that its new SiC tool will help enable this important industry.
SMI News Release AXT Renews Substrate Agreement With IQE
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 5, 2009...AXT, a maker of compoundsemi substrates announced an order from IQE for semi-insulating gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrates. According to AXT, the approximately $14.3 million order is for IQE's 2009 worldwide substrate requirements. The renewed order this year reportedly includes 4-inch and 6-inch diameter semi-insulating GaAs substrates. IQE is a global supplier of semiconductor wafers that is supported by outsource foundry services.
"We are very pleased to have been awarded a new contract from our valued customer, IQE, for their 2009 substrate needs," said Phil Yin, chairman and CEO of AXT. "As the industry continues to move towards larger diameter substrates, we have made a firm commitment to supporting this transition through targeted capacity increases in our 6" manufacturing capability. We believe we are well positioned to support IQE's substrate needs in the coming year and we look forward to continued close collaboration between our two companies." AXT News Release Leading-Tech Laser Co., LTD Debuts New 473nm Blue Lasers
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 5, 2009...Leading-Tech Laser Co., Ltd., based in Shanghai, China, has introduced a new temperature stabilized and output power stabilized diode-pumped solid state (dpss) 473nm blue laser system. The company says that the lasers could be used for high precision measurement, holography and data storage. Additionally, because of the high beam quality and power stability, the company says that it could be used in laser fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and cell sequencing.
The company is a manufacturer for OEM and ODM laser modules.
The company boasts that its new laser offers high power stability and high beam quality. The blue laser system reportedly consists of a laser diode, optical collimation components and high accuracy temperature control components, and laser power monitoring components. The company says that the output power of the devices is now up to 200mW. The blue laser system also can be combined with polarization maintaining fiber, single mode fiber and multi-mode fiber coupling options to get much lower M2 value.
The 473nm laser system features a laser head measuring 160mm(L)X78mm(W)X60mm(H), and it comes with a separated power supply with an input voltage range from AC 80V ~ 265V pr DC 5V. The modulation is TTL or analog optional and up to 30KHZ. Company News Release Mimix Broadband Introduces 1.6 GHz 30W Power Amplifier Module
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 5, 2009...Mimix Broadband of Houston, Texas USA, has introduced a linear, 3-stage power amplifier module with 30W of peak-power and 38 dB small signal gain. This power amplifier, identified as XP9003, operates at 1.6 GHz. The company says that it is fully matched internally and requires no external components. The module is housed in a 40x36mm, RoHS compliant, surface mount, thermally efficient package with a shielded metal lid. It offers active bias circuit and control voltage, allowing for current setting and minimizing variation over temperature and voltage. The company says that the XP9003 is specifically designed for satellite communications transmitters with high peak to average ratio signals.
"The XP9003 offers a great deal of integration, enabling users to reduce component count, save valuable board space and minimize system size while achieving high linear performance," stated Amer Droubi, Product Manager, Mimix Broadband, Inc. "In addition, this surface mount amplifier module has excellent thermal performance due to its high power efficiency combined with a copper heat spreader attached to the bottom of the package." Company News Release SUSS MicroTec Test Systems Announces Alliance
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 2, 2009...Suss MicroTec Test Systems of Dresden, Germany, has entered into a strategic alliance with MPI Corporation and Chain Logic International Corporation of Taiwan. Suss MicroTec is a provider of test solutions for packaging, nanotechnology, and compound semiconductors. According to Suss MicroTec, the relationship among the organizations covers channel distribution of semiconductor test related technologies and products and outsourcing as well as mutually beneficial development projects.
“This is a win-win agreement for all organizations as well as our valued customer base,” stated Michael Knopp, CFO and member of the management board of SUSS MicroTec AG. “It is in alignment with our business objectives of optimized distribution efficiencies as well as highest product quality with lower cost structures that can be passed along to customers and manufacturing partners. The proven success of the MPI organization will help us better support our Asian customers and at the same time provide a powerful ally in our continuing efforts to improve manufacturing efficiencies.”
“MPI is very excited about this agreement as it is in direct alignment with the organization’s strategy for global expansion.” said Brian Green, Chairman of the MPI Group. “SUSS MicroTec is exactly the type of high-quality organization that will help us improve business practices at home and abroad while offering customers the highest return on their investments.” Suss MicroTec News Release AU Optronics to begin e-paper Display Production
CompoundSemi News StaffJanuary 2, 2009...AU Optronics, a TFT-LCD maker based in Tawain expects to begin shipping electronic paper (e-paper) displays soon, according to a recent Digitimes article. AU Optronics (AUO) has reportedly been developing e-paper displays for some time. After Oprah Winfrey called Amazon's Kindle one of her favorite gadgets, sales of the devices took off. The increasing popularity of devices from Amazon and Sony has led AUO to set aside a portion of its production capacity to make e-paper displays. It was not clear from the article or from the company's web site which form of e-paper it will be producing. Our news features are reported
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