#Nanofibers #Power #Nanobots with Harvested #Energy

In the future, nanobots could swim in your bloodstream, constantly on the lookout for early signs of disease, according to researchers creating a piezoelectric power source that harvests mechanical motion. Look for self-powered pacemakers and other medical implants using piezoelectric energy harvesting within seven years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Piezoelectric nanogenerator alligns 60 nanometer by 500 micron semiconducting fibers on interdigitated electrodes of platinum fine wires and packaged using a soft polymer on a silicon substrate.

Here is what EETimes says about piezoelectric energy harvesting: The nascent field of piezoelectric energy harvesting got a boost recently when researchers reported the creation of nanogenerators on both silicon and polymer substrates. The eventual aim is the design of energy harvesters that could power small electronic devices from environmental motions. A medical implant, for example, might be powered by the mechanical energy in flowing blood. Besides medical implants, the researchers are targeting applications of wireless sensors and portable electronic devices on "stretchable" substrates...the tiny nanogenerators could eventually power nanorobots that would inhabit a patient's bloodstream for extended periods, taking samples and transmitting diagnostic data to doctors for analysis.
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#Graphene Enables World's Strongest Magnetic Field

Graphene--pure crystalline carbon atoms--are known to make better electronic chips, but could also enable higher density magnetic storage too, thanks to new magnetic properties revealed by these researchers. Look for graphene to begin replacing our aging silicon chip infrastructure within five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


In this scanning tunneling microscopy image of a graphene nanobubble, the hexagonal two-dimensional graphene crystal is seen distorted and stretched along three main axes. The strain creates pseudo-magnetic fields far stronger than any magnetic field ever produced in the laboratory.

Here's what Berkeley Labs says about its own announcement: Graphene, the extraordinary form of carbon that consists of a single layer of carbon atoms, has produced another in a long list of experimental surprises...a multi-institutional team of researchers headed by Michael Crommie, a faculty senior scientist in the Materials Sciences Division at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a professor of physics at the University of California at Berkeley, reports the creation of pseudo-magnetic fields far stronger than the strongest magnetic fields ever sustained in a laboratory – just by putting the right kind of strain onto a patch of graphene...
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#IBM's #Optical Amp Ushers in Era of #Silicon #Photonics

Computing with light instead of electrons is the aim of this optical amplifier from IBM, which repurposes its CMOS fabs for crafting tiny waveguides, optical gratings, mixers and other photonic devices. Look for medical spectroscopy made so sensitive with IBM's light amplifier that it can detect disease in a puff of breath within five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Scanning electron microscope cross-sectional image of the silicon (Si) waveguide core, the silicon dioxide (SiO2) and silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy) cladding layers. The color-map illustrates the Ey electric field component of the fundamental transverse-magnetic mode at a wavelength of λ = 2200 nm.

Here is what EETimes says about IBM's optical amplifier: Optical amplifiers used in applications like telecommunication links must be made with materials such as indium gallium arsenide phosphide. IBM researchers said they have been able to do the same thing for other applications using a much less expensive standard silicon process. Fabricated at its Yorktown Heights, N.Y., pilot line using the same silicon photonic waveguides used for telecommunications optical interconnects, the new silicon optical amplifier targets the mid-infrared band used by heat sensors, medical imagers and industrial process monitors...
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UK: World’s Fastest-Growing #Solar Market?

Solar energy is bursting out all over--even in dreary-weather England, where the fastest growth is now being experienced. Look for the "fastest growing" crown to be passed around country-to-country in sync with changing incentive patterns over the rest of the decade. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


iSuppli’s forecast of annual PV installations in the United Kingdom


Here is what iSuppli says about its own forecast: The sun is rising on the United Kingdom’s solar market in 2010, as attractive government incentives make it the world’s fastest-growing country for Photovoltaic (PV) installations this year, according to iSuppli Corp...Installations of PV systems in the United Kingdom will amount to 96 Megawatts (MW) in 2010, up an astounding 1,500 percent from 6 MW in 2009. While the country’s growth will start from a nearly negligible level in 2009, the expansion will dramatically outpace the growth of the next fastest-growing nation—Spain—which will rise by approximately 730 percent in 2010...
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Nuclear Fusion to Harness Power of Sun

Nuclear fusion is currently only occuring on the Sun--at least in our solar system--but with these new reactor lining materials the containers capable of unlimited energy production on Earth may be possible too. Look for fusion reactors to finally be perfected by the end of the decade. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Chase Taylor, left, and Jean Paul Allain are developing coatings capable of withstanding the grueling conditions inside nuclear fusion reactors.

Here is what Purdue says about it fusion research: Researchers have discovered mechanisms critical to interactions between hot plasma and surfaces facing the plasma inside a thermonuclear fusion reactor, part of work aimed at developing coatings capable of withstanding the grueling conditions inside the reactors. Fusion powers the stars and could lead to a limitless supply of clean energy. A fusion power plant would produce 10 times more energy than a conventional nuclear fission reactor, and because the deuterium fuel is contained in seawater, a fusion reactor's fuel supply would be virtually inexhaustible. Research at Purdue University focuses on the "plasma-material interface," a crucial region where the inner lining of a fusion reactor comes into contact with the extreme heat of the plasma. Nuclear and materials engineers are harnessing nanotechnology to define tiny features in the coating in work aimed at creating new "plasma-facing" materials tolerant to radiation damage, said Jean Paul Allain, an assistant professor of nuclear engineering...
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#4G Debuts from #Clear in Shrink-Wrap at #BestBuy

Best Buy Connect service will offer shrink-wrapped wireless WiMax 4G services from Clear giving customers access to connection services when they buy their 4G devices. Look for consumers to take advantage of more 4G services by virtue of the convenience of getting cut-rate prices for bundles with 4G devices, starting in 2011. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Here is what Clear says about it deal with BestBuy: Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services and operator of the fastest 4G network in the country, and Best Buy Connect, LLC, a subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) today announced the formation of a strategic wholesale relationship in which Best Buy will use Clearwire's 4G network to offer mobile internet service to customers under the Best Buy Connect service. Beginning in 2011, Best Buy will offer a new 4G tier for its recently introduced Best Buy Connect service. Best Buy Connect was conceived to help accelerate mobile broadband adoption by providing consumers the convenience of one-stop shopping for devices, service activation, billing and customer support from Best Buy...

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#MEMS Startup Aims Picoprojectors at 3D Modeling

Today 3D models must be meticulously input with measurements or with handheld haptic scanners, but now an automated technique using pico-projectors has been invented. Look for touchless fingerprint sensors, intelligent surveillance and videogame makers generate 3-D models from real-world setups within five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Here is what EETimes says about structured light illumination: Structured light illumination (SLI) can automatically build a three-dimensional model of any object, replacing the tedious process of measurement that is usually required. Stripes of light are projected onto objects as a digital camera records their deformation, letting algorithms automatically deduce the size, shape and subtlest contours of even moving objects. Now microelectromechanical system startup Seikowave (Lexington, Ky.), in cooperation with the Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments at the University of Kentucky, is harnessing MEMS picoprojectors to bring SLI to the mass market...
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3D- and Internet Enabled TVs to Become Standard Equipment

3D-TVs will sell fewer than 5 million units in 2010, according to market forecasters, but Internet enabled (IE) TVs were more popular--a trend predicted to continue. Look for 3D- and IE-TVs to merge and become standard equipment on all high-end TVs within five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


iSuppli’s forecasts of global 3D and Internet-enabled (IE) TV shipments.

Here is what ABI says about 3D-TV: A new generation of TVs has reached retail, with 3D models now available from all leading TV manufacturers. DisplaySearch forecasts 3.4 million 3D TVs to be shipped in 2010, with the market expected to reach 42.9 million in 2014. Based on this forecast, 3D TV market penetration is expected to grow from a 5% share of total flat panel TVs in 2010 to 37% in 2014...
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Here is what iSuppi says about 3D- versus IE-TV: While the consumer electronics headlines this year have been dominated by 3-D television news, the real story in 2010 is about Internet-Enabled TVs (IETVs), according to iSuppli Corp. Global shipments of IETVs—i.e., TV sets with built-in Internet capability—will amount to 27.7 million units in 2010. In contrast, 3-D set shipments will total only 4.2 million this year. While 3-D television shipments are set to soar in the coming years, iSuppli’s forecast shows the biggest near-term growth story is in IETV.
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LCD Flat Panel Price War on Horizon

Large flat-panel are due for a price drop next year as oversupplies hit the market after larger than expected capital investments in capacity cited by iSuppli. Look for price wars in LCD panels next year to start reminding us of the price drops that CRTs felt before the big switch to flat panels. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


iSuppli’s forecast for capital expenditures among major large-sized LCD panel suppliers from 2005 to 2010. iSuppli defines large-sized LCD panels as those having a diagonal dimension of 10-inches and larger.

Here is what ISuppli says about its own report: Capital Spending Spurs LCD Panel Oversupply...In a race to build bigger and better next-generation fabs, large-sized LCD panel manufacturers in 2010 are set to boost their spending on capacity expansions by more than 40 percent—triggering an oversupply of LCD panels , according to iSuppli Corp...For the Top 13 large-sized LCD panel makers, capital expenditures in 2010 are forecasted to reach $16.9 billion, up a hefty 43.2 percent from $11.8 billion in 2009. This follows a decline of 29.3 percent during the recession year of 2009...
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#Intel demos 50-Gbit/s silicon optics, Aims for Terabit/s

By this time next decade, all the data communications between systems, boards and even chips on boards will be done with optical signals, thanks to silicon photonic technologies being perfected now, according to Intel. Look for optical communications not only to lower power and costs of electronics, but also to reduce the weight of portable devices to styrofoam-levels within five to ten years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog



Here is what EETimes says about Intel's silicon photonics efforts: Silicon photonics will replace copper connections in everything from supercomputers to servers to PCs, according to Intel Corp. researchers who demonstrated 50-Gb/s optical transmitter and receiver chips that it plans to scale up to terabit-per-second speeds prior to commercialization...Optical connections can operate over longer distances than copper wires, according to Intel, and could eventually replace not only the copper connections between systems, but those between boards in the same system and eventually between cores on the same board. The chip maker already has a 10-Gbit/s Light Peak chip that uses conventional optical technologies. Intel's Photonics Technology Lab is leveraging its silicon manufacturing expertise to build photonic components. [Intel] estimated that the first commercial applications of silicon photonics will begin appearing in as little as five years in data centers and supercomputer facilities...

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#Apple #iPad, #iPhone Spur Foxcomm into #1 Slot

Foxconn (Taiwan) makes Apple's iPhone and iPad, which has spurred its growth into the number one electronics manufacturing service (EMS) provider worldwide, according to iSuppli. Look for Apple to leverage its components buying power to increase margins for itself and cut margins of its competitors thus repeating its success in the iPod sphere over the next five years in the emerging touchscreen tablet market. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Here is what iSuppli says about its own report: Driven by fast growth at Apple Inc., leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider Foxconn Technology Group is set to take more than half of global EMS industry revenue by 2011, up from 44.2 percent in 2009, according to iSuppli Corp...The attached figure presents iSuppli’s ranking of the top 10 EMS providers in the first quarter based on revenue. EMS providers are defined as companies whose primary business is the contract manufacturing of electronic products on behalf of Original Equipment Manufacturers, or OEMs. With revenue of $17.1 billion, Taiwan’s Foxconn, aka Hon Hai Precision Industries Ltd., was the dominant EMS provider in the first quarter of 2010, dwarfing No. 2 player Flextronics International Ltd., which posted revenue of $5.9 billion during the same period. Foxconn’s revenue in the first quarter surged 54.1 percent from $11.1 billion during the same period in 2009. Part of Foxconn’s revenue boom is due to the industry wide strength of the digital consumer business and a strong recovery in computing-related products. Moreover, the company dramatically outperformed the 27.5 percent year-over-year revenue increase for the Top 10 EMS providers in the first quarter, reflecting the strength of its customer base. Apple represents the fastest-growing customer for Foxconn, which manufactures products including the iPad and the iPhone 4...
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#Carbon #Graphene Beats #Silicon at #DNA #Sequencing

Semiconductor manufacturers are not the only ones pursuing carbon-based graphene for next-generation electronics--this group is fabricating an automatic DNA sequencer using graphene nanopores. Look for affordable personal DNA sequencing enabled by electronics within five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


University of Pennsylvania researchers developed a carbon-based, nanoscale platform to electrically detect single DNA molecules by using electric fields to push tiny DNA strands through atomically-thin graphene nanopores that ultimately may sequence DNA bases by their unique electrical signature.

Here's what EETimes says about graphene nanopores: Carbon-based platforms outperform existing silicon-nitride based systems, according to a University of Pennsylvania team that is working on a system which automates DNA sequencing. With its carbon-based detectors, the team has been able to sense the electronic signatures of DNA strands with integrated graphene nanopores. The graphene-based detector was fabricated at the University of Pennsylvania using chemical vapor deposition to grow flakes of graphene in which they drilled nanoscale pores with the electron beam of a transmission electron microscope. The researchers were able to demonstrate that individual DNA strands could be coaxed into threading through the tiny graphene nanopores with electric fields. The process, called translocation, detects the components of a DNA strand (called bases) by sensing them with tiny electrodes as they glide through the graphene pore.
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MaxArias #Ferroelectric F-RAM Wireless Memory Debuts from #Ramtron

Smart memory chips with wireless reception enable novel electronic devices to perform simplified remote data collection tasks. Look for a new wave of smarter mobile data collection devices over the next few years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Here is what Ramtron says about its wireless FRAM memory chips: Ramtron International Corporation (Nasdaq: RMTR), a leading developer and supplier of ferroelectric-based low-power memory and integrated semiconductor products, today announced the availability of commercial samples of its F-RAM enabled MaxArias™ wireless memory devices. Ramtron’s MaxArias wireless memory products combine the low power, high speed, and high endurance features of nonvolatile F-RAM memory technology with industry standard wireless access to enable innovative mobile data collection capabilities. MaxArias is ideal for a wide range of applications such as high-value asset tracking, manufacturing and maintenance history collection, and smart utility metering, among others.
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#Jailbreaking #Apple #iPhone Ruled Legal in U.S.

U.S. copyright law has sided with the hackers jailbreaking iPhones in order to use them on other networks besides AT&T. Look for jailbreaking services to pop-up unless Apple and other phone makers decide to stop locking their phones altogether. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog



Here is what EETimes says about the jailbreaking ruling: The Librarian of Congress has issued a ruling stating consumers, educational institutions and other interested parties may develop software applications that allow them to unlock electronic equipment and bypass restrictions placed on such devices by manufacturers. The process, known in technology circles as “jailbreaking” would allow hackers and others to modify a range of electronic equipment, including Apple Inc.’s iPhone and encrypted CDs, to enable the use of such devices...The announcement puts an end to the cat-and-mouse game Apple has for years played with hackers since it introduced the iPhone in the United States but restricted its use solely to the AT&T Corp. network. Since then, hackers have repeatedly developed software applications that would allow non-AT&T customers use the iPhone on competing networks...
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Remote Control Buys on #QVC with App by #Ensequence

Soon you will be able to buy stuff from your easy chair on QVC using nothing more than your remote control, thanks to an app being developed for it by Ensequence. Look for one-click buying for Comcast impulse shoppers by next year. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog



Here is what Ensequence says about its deal with QVC: Ensequence, the interactive TV company, today announced that QVC, one of the world’s largest multimedia retailers, has selected the Ensequence Managed Services Group and the Ensequence iTV Manager Programmer Edition to deliver its customers an interactive TV remote control shopping experience...Interactive TV from Ensequence will provide QVC the opportunity to offer a selection of products for viewing and purchase across cable set-top boxes. In addition, using the Ensequence iTV Manager Dynamic Data module, QVC will have the ability to change its “shop window” to suit the products available along with multi-product display capabilities. Product details will also be able to be quickly updated, modified and synchronized to video content on a daily or even hourly basis...
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Acoustic Cloth Senses, Emits Sonic Signals

Piezoelectric transducers have enabled tiny electronic devices to sense and emit sound, but now MIT researchers have woven these fibers into a cloth that can turn your clothing into a combination microphones and speaker. Look for wearable acoustic cloth for for industry, military and consumer applications within five years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Here is what Smarter Technology says about acoustic cloth: Researchers at MIT have developed a way to weave piezoelectric fibers, which can send and receive sound, into cloth. Possible applications include wearable microphones, hospital gowns that monitor vital signs and sonar imaging systems. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) claim to have perfected "acoustic cloth"—a man-made fabric mass-produced from piezoelectric fibers that enables textiles to both sense and emit sound. Applications range from wearable microphones and iPod speakers to hospital gowns that act as medical monitors and underwater "sails" that perform sonar imaging. For the first time, piezoelectric fibers can be woven into fabrics containing millions of tiny acoustic transducers that act together to both sense and emit sound. Using the same equipment that makes optical fibers for communications, these new fibers can be woven into fabrics that act as wearable microphones and loudspeakers. Possible uses include biological sensors that measure medical quantities such as blood flow in capillaries, environmental monitors measuring the flow of water passing through them, and large-area sonar imaging systems for monitoring underwater activities.
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Software to Drive #TouchScreen Revolution

Apple pioneered the touchscreen computer interface with its iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad, but now independent software vendors (ISVs) are driving adoption by other computer makers according to iSuppli, prompting them to add the OS building blocks to enable touch applications on their platforms too. Look for touchscreens sales to rise from 15 million in 2010 to over 115 million in 2014, in order to take advantage of ISVs who will unleash a torrent of must-have "killer" touchscreen apps. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Here is what iSuppli says about its own report: Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) are set to play a central role in the booming market for touch screens in mobile and desktop PCs, providing the differentiating features that will allow the interface technology to expand its appeal to new users and segments, according to iSuppli Corp.
Global production of touch screen modules for use in computers will soar to 117.9 million units in 2014, up from 15.8 million in 2010, iSuppli predicts. The attached figure presents iSuppli’s global production forecast of touch modules for use in computers, including desktops, mobile PCs, and slate and tablet devices.
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Smart Power Management Debuts from IDT

Smart power management technology from Integrated Device Technology aims to extend the battery life of smartphones, portable navigation devices, mobile Internet devices and eBooks. Look for the battery life of all portable electronic devices to be extended by this and other smart power management chips as they are adopted over the next few years. RColinJohnson @NextGenLog


Here's what IDT says about its power management unit: Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT®; NASDAQ: IDTI), a leading provider of essential mixed signal semiconductor solutions that enrich the digital media experience, today announced a highly integrated microcontroller-based Intelligent System Power Management Solution targeted for portable consumer products, such as smartphones, portable navigation devices, mobile Internet devices and eBooks. The unique architecture of the IDT P95020 features a best-in-class high-fidelity audio subsystem, clock generation, resistive touch controller, backlight LED driver, Li+/Polymer battery charger, multi-channel DC-to-DC converters and a high resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC). By embedding a microcontroller, the IDT P95020 offers full programmability and flexibility into designs using leading multimedia application processors. All of the functional blocks can be accessed via I2C. The programmable regulators satisfy the dynamic voltage adjustment required by application processors. The IDT P95020 is the latest generation of cost-effective, customizable Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMIC) that provide optimum performance, functionality, programmability and flexibility to the system designer of portable consumer applications...
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#Glass Invisibility Cloak Shields Infrared

Invisibility cloaks for infrared wavelengths can be crafted from magnetic resonators made from chalcogenide glass, according to these Michigan Tech researches. Look for visible wavelength invisibility cloaks that pull Harry Potter's trick off for real within five years. R.C.J.



Here's what EETimes says about infrared invisibility cloaks: Invisibility cloaks cast in chalcogenide glass can render objects invisible to infrared frequencies of light, according to researchers at Michigan Technological University. Created by professor Elena Semouchkina and others at Michigan Tech and Pennsylvania State University, the glass cloak is currently being adapted to work in visible wavelengths....Most other demonstrations of invisibility cloaks have used metamaterials composed of free-space split-ring resonators that were constructed from metal printed-circuit board traces surrounded by traditional dielectric material. The Michigan Tech researchers have already demonstrated such cloaks at microwave frequencies. They now claim that by substituting nonmetallic glass resonators made from chalcogenide glass, infrared cloaks are possible too...
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#Audi #A1 E-tron Kicks Electric Vehicles into Gear

Electric cars will take the world by storm starting later this summer, with every major car maker getting in on the action by next year--including Audi whose new A1 will feature an all-electric option. Look for all-electric cars to capture a twin-digit percent of the world market by 2012. R.C.J.


Here's what SmarterTechnology says about Audi's new all-electric option: Audi's new A1 family, slated to debut this fall, is a precursor to its electric model—the A1 E-tron. Dubbed a mega-city vehicle, the A1 E-tron combines an all-electric drive train with style and economy...The A1 E-tron will have a 30-mile range on a single charge from its 12-kilowatt-hour, 380-volt, 330-pound, 96-cell lithium ion battery pack, but its range can be extended with an on-board gasoline-powered electricity generator. Audi claims this "serial hybrid" architecture has a smaller energy footprint and lower cost than parallel hybrids (like Toyota's Prius, which uses a gasoline engine to power its wheels). In its design, Audi's A1 E-tron is more akin to Chevy's Volt, another serial hybrid that will only use the gasoline engine to recharge the batteries, or to extend its driving range...
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#Battlefield #Lasers Blast Airborne Drones in #Raytheon, #Navy Test

The original Star Wars is starting to look like Flash Gorden, namely a technology treasure trove doomed never to see the light of day--but Raytheon and the Navy think they can at least bring battlefield lasers into the realm of reality. Look for both sea- and land-based battlefield lasers within seven years. R.C.J.



Here is what EETimes says about battlefield lasers: Star Wars-era battlefield lasers successfully shot down unmanned areal vehicles (UAVs) during a simulated attack using the U.S. Navy's Laser Weapon System (LaWS) guided by Raytheon's Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) sensor suite. LaWS combines six solid-state lasers that simultaneously focused on the moving targets in the test to destroy them in seconds, outperforming previous tests that focused on stationary targets, according to Raytheon...
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#Nanotech to Covert Sewage into Electricity

The world is quickly running out of fresh water, but these researchers claim to be able to convert sewage into clean water with microbial fuel cells that harvest enough energy to run the plant. Look for self-sustaining sewage plants by the end of the decade. R.C.J.


Bacteria is being used by OSU to enable self-sustaining treatment plants that feed on sewage to generate electricity.

Here's what EETimes says about coverting sewage to electricity: A nanotech coating is claimed to boost the efficiency of microbial fuel cells by 20-times, taking the technology one step closer to commercialization. Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to break down sewage while at the same time generating electricity, combining a renewable energy source with a pressing worldwide need to provide clean water to municipalities. When the technology is perfected, researchers hope that sewage processing plants can become self-sufficient—generating enough electricity from sewage to power the water purifying machinery...
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Silicon Labs Rolls #Wireless Remote Control SoC

Wireless remote control technologies are everywhere--from garage door openers to building automation--but building them has until now required dozens of components. Look for ultra-small remotes enabled by single-chip radios over the next few years. R.C.J.


Silicon Labs EZradio SoC requires only one external component (capacitor at right) whereas traditional SAW designs require as many as 41 external components.

A new wireless remote-control system-on-a-chip enables remote-keyless entry designs to slim down their bill-of-materials to one external component, compared to dozens required for traditional solutions, according to Silicon Laboratories Inc., which announced the EZRadio single-chip radio frequency (RF) transmitter...Silicon Labs combined its RF microcontroller and its all-CMOS oscillator technologies to enable the EZRadio Si4010 SoC radio frequency (RF) transmitter to eliminate the need for external components (except for a single capacitor). The EZRadio chip is designed for remote-keyless entry applications such as garage door openers, building automation remotes, secure-entry devices and other remote controls that require only a one-way RF link...
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#Osram #LED Goes Green--Draws 30 percent Less Juice

Osram says it can cut the power bill for your LEDs by 30 percent with its latest prototypes using improved indium-gallium-aluminum-phosphide materials. Look for super bright, but lower power, LEDs to eventually replace most incandescent indoor lighting by 2015. R.C.J.



Here is wht Osram says about its announcement: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors has set a new laboratory record by increasing the efficiency of red thin-film LEDs by 30%, using a new optimized chip platform. A prototype of a red Golden Dragon Plus LED-- the latest generation of OSRAM’s red 1-by-2 mm thin-film (InGaAIP) chip--achieved an efficiency of 119 lm/W at an operating current of 350 mA...
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#Apple to be #1 OEM Chip Buyer by 2012, After #HP, #Samsung

Hewlett Packard remains the #1 buyer of semiconductor chips, but Samsung will slip to #3 behind Apple by 2011 and by 2012 Apple could overtake HP to become #1, according to iSuppli. Look for HP to play catch-up ball in 2011 by linking its WebOS, PC, Hurricane tablet and Palm phone in like manner to Apple's OS, Mac, iPad and iPhone, with Samsung, Sony and a dozen others doing the same by 2012. R.C.J.


iSuppli’s 2010 and 2011 forecast for the top 10 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) ranked by projected 2011 semiconductor spending, measuring both direct and indirect purchases.

Here is what iSuppli says about its own study: The phenomenal success of the iPad and iPhone is expected to make Apple Inc. the world’s second-largest OEM semiconductor buyer in 2011, potentially positioning the company to become the world’s top chip purchaser in 2012, according to iSuppli Corp. With projected semiconductor spending in 2011 of $16.2 billion, Apple will leap over Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., which will drop to the third spot after finishing with $13.9 billion. Apple’s one-step rise in the rankings will move the company to a close second place behind Hewlett-Packard Co., which will retain its No. 1 ranking next year thanks to $17.1 billion in spending. The attached figure shows iSuppli’s 2010 and 2011 forecast for the top 10 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) ranked by projected 2011 semiconductor spending, measuring both direct and indirect purchases...
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#NASA Probe Seeks Signs-of-Life in the Universe

NASA believes that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has an inkling as to where to look for life in the universe and has given them $630,000 to pursue its search. Look for RPI to announce the discovery of Earth-like planets circling distant stars within two years. R.C.J.


Protoplanetary disk around a luminous young star. Dust particles in the disk that orbit around the star may eventually coalesce to form new planets. Research by the RPI team will provide new insight into the chemical evolution of the disks.

Here's what RPI says about its NASA funded effort to find life elsewhere in the universe: The New York Center for Astrobiology will widen the scope of its search for the building blocks of life beyond Earth with the help of a new NASA grant. Based at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the center is devoted to investigating the origins of life on Earth and the conditions that lead to formation of habitable planets in our own and other solar systems...The new four-year $630,000 grant will allow the center to expand operations...Researchers at the center study the chemical, physical, and geological conditions on Earth that gave birth to life. That information, in turn, is used to search for similar conditions elsewhere – on Mars and other bodies in our solar system, and on planets orbiting other stars...The researchers look for clues within young solar systems, where stars are surrounded by molecular clouds or pre-planetary disks that have not yet coalesced into planets...
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Smart Metal Enables Solid-State Refrigerant

The incessant hum of the compressor on your refrigerator and airconditioner could become a thing of the past, as shape-memory alloys take the place of liquid refrigerants. Look for silent refrigerators using shape-shifting metals by 2015. R.C.J.



Here is what EETimes says about smart metals: Smart metals that change shape when absorbing or releasing heat are being developed at the University of Maryland Energy Research Center (UMERC) under a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The thermoelastic shape memory alloy will take the place of conventional vapor-compressor refrigeration, but without the emission of greenhouse gases. According to UMERC (College Park, Md.), besides eliminating the need for vaporized refrigerants, its solid-state cooling technology will increase the efficiency of energy usage by as much as 175 percent while it is simultaneously reducing U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 250 million metric tons per year...
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iPad Pioneering 12.9 Million Unit Market in 2010

Market analyst iSuppi predicts that 12.9 million iPads will be shipped in 2010 and almost 50 million by 2012, one-upping ABI's forecast earlier today of 11 million touchscreen tablets in 2010. Look for the iPad to start a whole new genre of computer--touchscreen tablet--by 2012. R.C.J.


Here is what iSuppli says about its own report: Amid indications that Apple Inc. is ratcheting up its iPad production targets to meet booming demand, iSuppli Corp. is ratcheting up its shipment forecast as well. iSuppli now predicts Apple will ship 12.9 million iPads in 2010, an increase from the previous forecast issued April 2nd of 7.1 million units. Shipments will rise to 36.5 million in 2011 and 50.4 million in 2012, as presented in the attached figure...iSuppli’s original iPad forecast was by far the most aggressive outlook for the product among industry analysis and market research firms issuing outlooks at the time. iSuppli in April characterized its forecast as conservative, and noted that Apple could easily ship higher volumes. Subsequent events have shown iSuppli’s characterization to be correct...
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Crystalline Plastic Chips: Cheap and fast

Silicon chips outperform organic polymer semiconductors by virtue of their perfect crystalline lattices, but now polymers can employ the same trick to combine high-speed and low-cost. Look for organic plastic semiconductors to begin supplanting silicon chips over the rest of the decade. R.C.J.


Scanning tunneling microscope image (top) and density functional theory-calculated structures (bottom) reveal the formation of a well-organized PEDOT polymer.

Here's what EETimes says about crystalline plastic: Amorphous, poly- and crystalline silicon differ in the organization of their atomic lattices; the more organized, the higher the performance. Epitaxial silicon, with its perfect crystalline lattices, is required for high-end chips. Until now, such performance was unavailable for organic semiconductors, but researchers at the Energy Department's Oak Ridge National Laboratory now claim to have demonstrated epitaxial growth in polymers, foreshadowing a plastic chip process that could combine the high speed of silicon with the low cost of plastic.
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#Touchscreen #Tablets Selling 3X Forecast, 11 million in 2010

The touchscreen tablet craze has boosted iPad and lookalike sales by three times, according to ABI Research which revised its forecast upwards to 11 million in 2010. Look for dozen iPad copy-cats by Christmas and two dozen more in 2011. R.C.J.


Here's what ABI says about its own forecast: When ABI Research first examined the media tablet market, neither Apple’s iPad nor any other multinational-branded tablet had been released. Six months later, the firm has revisited its forecasts, almost tripling the original estimate to reach about 11 million tablets expected to ship by the end of 2010. Its long-term estimates, however, remain basically unchanged...the media tablet segment is still far short of a “mass market” and that a market size justifying that term probably won’t be reached before 2013. Much depends on Apple’s distribution reach, which is still quite limited, and the relative success of its eventual competitors. A number of competing tablets were to have been launched by now, but the global recession, implemention of the most suitable operating system, and the challenge of matching the iPad’s user experience have all caused delays...
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#3D PCs, Displays, Projectors Debut from #LG

Korea's LG has a new line of 3D displays--from PCs to projectos--that use the inexpensive passive polarized glasses that do not require a battery. Look for more 3D viewing systems using polarized glasses instead of the more expensive LCD shutter glasses, now that LG has pioneered the technique, over the next two years. R.C.J.



Here is what LG says about its new 3D line: LG Electronics today announced the launch of its first 3D notebook (model LG R590 3D) which captures all the benefits of 3D in a portable form factor. In addition to the 3D notebook, LG is introducing a 3D monitor and 3D projector, offering a complete package of 3D products for gaming and movie viewing in one’s home. To create the optimal 3D viewing experience without the need for buffering, the LG R590 3D with 15.6-inch display is powered by an Intel Core i7 Processor with HM55 chipset and NVIDIA GeForce GT335M graphics card, including 1GB of dedicated DDR3 video memory. The new notebook features SRS Tru-Surround HD for an even more thrilling 3D entertainment experience, while an optional Blu-ray drive allows for the viewing of HD movies in both 2D and 3D. In addition, included TriDef software converts 2D video to 3D in real time so there’s never a dearth of 3D content for the LG R590 3D.


Included polarized glasses help reduce eye fatigue when watching 3D content on the LG R590 3D. With no internal circuitry or batteries, the slim, lightweight glasses are easy and convenient to carry with laptops. LG’s first 3D notebook will be launched in Korea this month and introduced globally in the weeks to follow...LG’s newest W63D 3D monitor was developed specifically with gamers in mind. With full HD, 70,000:1 contrast ratio and 120Hz refresh rate, the W63D delivers sharp picture quality and stunning colors. Thanks to copper panel electrodes, the W63D boasts an exceptionally high brightness of 400 cd/m². Rated at 172Hz per second, the W63D reduces the blur that can sometimes occur during fast-paced actions sequences. The smoother, more realistic on-screen action significantly reduces eye strain even after long periods of usage. The W63D also includes a game mode called G-mode for optimizing the set-up process for gaming. Auto Brightness Control reduces eye strain and Aspect Ratio Control eliminates distortion across all ratios. In sound, SRS Tru-Surround HD delivers the very best in audio and Thru Mode ensures absolute clarity in even the fastest action sequences...Another addition to LG’s diverse range of 3D products is the CF3D, the world’s only polarized glasses 3D projector to transmit full HD pictures though a single lens. With a maximum projected image of 200 inches, the CF3D delivers a true cinematic experience. With a 3D brightness rating of 1250 ANSI lumens (2500 ANSI in 2D) and a contrast ration of 7,000:1, the CF3D projects superb images that put viewers right in the thick of the action. The CF3D ships with six pairs of polarized glasses so friends and family can all enjoy the 3D show together.


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Room-Temp #Superconductors Aim of #Brookhaven Probe

Superconductivity--electricity flow without resistance--could revolutionize electronics, if only someone could figure out how to do it at room temperature, but wait: Brookhaven National Lab believes it may have found the key to superconductivity without the need to cool devices to cryogenic temperatures. Look for renewed attempts to conquer superconductivity using Brookhaven's new insight over the next few years. R.C.J.


Phase pattern of oxygen atoms show tunneling potential is strong (bright yellow) in north-south direction but weaker (less intense yellow) in the east-west direction, an asymmetry that may help scientists better understand high-temperature superconductors.

Here is what EETimes says about Brookhaven National Labs superconductivity breakthrough: The discovery of asymmetries in the formation of liquid crystals eventually led to their control. The result was the liquid-crystal display. Now, researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory believe they have found similar asymmetries in the formation of superconductors, potentially leading to their control and subsequent room-temperature operation. At super low temperatures, many materials behave as superconductors, conducting electricity without resistance. As their temperature rises the unrestricted flow of electricity fades. Researchers at Brookhaven Labs (Upton, N.Y.) have cataloged asymmetries that simultaneously arise when superconductivity fades, potentially explaining the behavior in a way that engineers could harness to raise their temperature while maintaining superconducting property...
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Blu-Ray Player Sales Double in 2010 and Rising

Blu-ray player sales are skyrocketing, predicted to top 62.5 million units next year. Look for Blu-Ray players to drop in price and to start to be built into many devices over the next few years. R.C.J.


Here is what ABI says about its own report: Worldwide Blu-ray player shipments are expected to more than double between 2009 and the end of 2010, and the numbers from ABI Research forecast continued growth next year, for a total of more than 62.5 million shipments in 2011. In North America standalone Blu-ray players are expected to reach almost 18% penetration among TV-owning households, up from just over 7% in 2009...ABI Research believes that CE device vendors can improve their chances of success in this very competitive marketplace by, on one hand, continuing efforts to educate consumers about what they can do with the latest devices, and on the other by striving to keep the user-experience as seamless and painless as possible...
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#Astrophysicist Verifies #Einstein's Cosmic Lens Theory

Einstein predicted that massive objects could act as a lens by bending light around them using gravity, but astronomical observations could not verify his theory until now. Look for a series of new astronomical observations over the next five years now that an example of Einstein's predictions has been found. R.C.J.


Here is what the Le Laboratoire d’astrophysique says about its own work: The EPFL’s Laboratory of Astrophysics has for the first time observed a quasar that is located between the earth and a more distant galaxy and acts as a gravitational lens, a phenomenon that illustrates Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity and will make entirely new kinds of observations possible. A quasar acting as a gravitational lens has now been observed for the first time. This discovery, made by the EPFL’s Laboratory of Astrophysics in cooperation with Caltech, represents an advance in the field, since it will allow scientists to weigh and measure a galaxy that contains a quasar. Gravitational lenses are common throughout the universe. They are caused by massive objects such as stars or galaxies that bend rays of light passing nearby. If these objects are between the earth and a more distant light source, the light will therefore be brighter and easier to observe, but also very distorted. If the alignment of the various stellar bodies is almost perfect, the image of the source will be multiplied. The lens phenomenon is not only an interesting result of Einstein’s theory of general relativity; it has also been a valuable astrophysical tool with important applications in the search for extrasolar planets and the study of stars, galaxies, clusters of galaxies and quasars. For example, the nature of the distortion, the number of images of the most distant objects and their position in the sky provide essential information about the distribution of matter in the lens galaxy and allow a measurement of its total matter, including dark matter, to be made...
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Mobile Video Market to Top $2 Billion by 2013

As more consumers begin carrying mobile devices that can stream video, an explosion of services to fill that screen are emerging. Look for mobile video to start offering a wider variety of realtime streaming capabilities as people adopt 4G speeds beyond 2012. R.C.J.


Here is what ABI says about its own report: Revenue from mobile video services is expected to top $2 billion worldwide in 2013, according to the latest data from ABI Research. Video services included in this forecast are video telephony, video messaging, video sharing, video-on-demand, VoD downloads, and “other” video services...Video sharing will be a small portion of this revenue while video telephony, video messaging and video-on-demand will account for the lion’s share. Consumers’ appetite for mobile infotainment, sparked by the availability of 3G networks, is one of the main drivers for this market. This will only increase as MNOs move to 4G. At the same time, the proliferation of connected mobile devices means more screens in the hands of subscribers. Web 2.0 services, with their emphasis on real-time collaboration, communication and networking add fuel to the fire. A few factors, however, do have the potential to limit this growth. The lingering global recession may affect consumption patterns, especially in industrialized nations. The popularity and adoption of OTT services provide intense competition for MNO-branded mobile video services. There is still an insufficient range and variety of video-capable mobile devices. And because this industry is still in its infancy, the business models are still immature and imperfectly matched to consumers’ preferences...
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#GPS Receivers In 80 Percent of Cell Phones

By next year, global positioning system (GPS) chips will be in almost 80 percent of all cell phones made, according to iSuppli. Look for an explosion of location-based services as nearly every cell phone made gets a GPS receiver over the next few years. R.C.J.


Here is what iSuppli says about its own report: With cell phones increasingly becoming the nexus of the burgeoning markets for navigation and Location Based Services (LBS), the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in such platforms is set to explode during the coming years, according to iSuppli Corp. In the fourth quarter of 2011, 79.9 percent of cell phones shipped—amounting to 318.3 million units—will incorporate GPS functionality, up from 56.1 percent in the first quarter of 2009—or 187.8 million units—iSuppli predicts. The attached figure presents iSuppli’s forecast of penetration of GPS functionality in mobile phones. The adoption of GPS in mobile handsets is being driven by smart phones...
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Graphene Batteries Recharge in 10 minutes!

Recharging your cell phone in 10 minutes instead of two-to-five hours is the promise of a new graphene-based battery technology being brought to market soon. Look for lithium-air batteries with vastly larger capacities and yet which recharge in under 10 minutes within three years. R.C.J.


Graphene electrodes enable batteries to recharge in minutes rather than hours--here a PNNL researcher prepares and tests lithium ion batteries and lithium/air batteries for electric vehicles and other mobile applications.

Here's what EETimes says about graphene batteries: Graphene electrodes used in lithium-ion batteries could reduce recharge times from two hours to about 10 minutes, according to government and Princeton University researchers. The new graphene-based electrode fabrication process, also developed by researchers at the Energy Department's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), has been licensed to Vorbeck Materials Corp. (Jessup, Md.) for commercialization. The graphene process was developed at PNNL in cooperation with Princeton researcher Ilhan Aksay under a cooperative research and development agreement with Vorbeck. PNNL said it has demonstrated that ultra-thin sheets of grahene can be fabricated on lithium-ion battery electrodes to yeild vastly shorter recharge times...


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Free #CMOS Clock Design Service, Evolving to #MEMS

Silicon Labs is now offering a free clock design service for that new gadget idea of yours. Silicon Labs has traditional crystal quartz based timers, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS-only) timers as well as micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) timers. Look for a shift from traditional timers to MEMS over the next few years R.C.J.


Here is what EETimes says about Silicon Labs new clock design service: Silicon Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today announced an online Clock Tree Design Service that gives customers quick access to Silicon Labs’ experienced applications engineering team to provide custom timing architecture proposals that simplify design, reduce BOM costs and minimize risk during development. When combined with the industry’s shortest component lead times of two weeks or less, Silicon Labs’ clock and oscillator family is designed to accelerate customers’ time to market. Performance-sensitive applications often require a combination of oscillators, clock generators and clock buffers to provide critical reference timing to high-speed SerDes devices, FPGAs, processors, data converters (ADC/DACs) and digital signal processors (DSPs). Not only is individual timing component selection critical, but system-level requirements also need to be taken into account to optimize performance. Silicon Labs’ online Clock Tree Design Service enables customers to enter their system-level timing requirements using a web-based utility, specifying multiple parameters including the number of clock inputs and outputs, input and output frequencies, signal formats and clock jitter. Silicon Labs’ applications engineering team reviews the requirements and provides a timing architecture optimized for performance, cost and lead time. Timing proposals are provided in just three business days, providing rapid feedback to customers...
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Artificial Skin Realizes Asimov's 1st Law of Robotics

Artificial skin is what robots need to keep us safe with algorithms that shut them down immediately if their skin contacts a human. Look for artificial skin to be mandated for robots operating around people within the decade. R.C.J.


Here is what Fraunhofer Institute says about their invention: artificial skin covering the robot...[consists] of conductive foam, textile and an intelligent evaluation circuit. The sensor system detects points of contact and differentiates between gentle and strong contact. It registers people immediately. The shape and size of the sensor cells implemented in the skin can be varied depending on the application. They detect any contact. The higher the number of sensor cells, the more precisely a point of collision can be detected. A sensor controller processes the measured values and transmits them to the robot or, alternatively, a computer, a machine or production line...
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#Dow #Deflexion Fabric Beats Padding in Sports Apparel

Dow Corning claims to have created a fabric that can absorb the force of an impact without the traditional bulk of padding. Look for Deflexion-reinforced sports apparel, luggage and security applications for years to come. R.C.J.



Here is what Dow Corning says about its new fabric: Dow Corning Corporation, a leading innovator in silicone solutions for the textile industry, has introduced its patent pending DEFLEXION™ impact-protection technology based on silicones. The DEFLEXION™ technology platforms are engineered for protective equipment and apparel in a flexible, breathable form...DEFLEXION™ technology is a performance textile and impact-absorbing material in one that is designed to protect without the added bulk and stiffness of traditional padding. DEFLEXION™ technology offers textiles that are flexible, breathable, washable and durable; and can be cut and sewn directly into clothing, eliminating the need to insert uncomfortable padding...Innovative DEFLEXION™ technology is suitable for a multitude of applications in products such as: sports apparel, equipment and footwear, medical devices, personal protective equipment and luggage...Dow Corning has been a leader in silicone material science for over 60 years and is always exploring innovative application opportunities. Find out more about Dow Corning’s selection of products, services and technology solutions at dowcorning.com/deflexion...DEFLEXION™ from Dow Corning (dowcorning.com/deflexion) offers a range of impact-protection technologies that allow for the easy creation of high-performance protective apparel and equipment. DEFLEXION™ technologies focus on providing exceptional comfort, enhanced fit, superior freedom of movement and due to the unique stability of silicones, performance over a broad range of temperatures. Unlike traditional soft armor protection, DEFLEXION™ products are able to achieve high levels of protection, while remaining comfortable and stylish

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#MIT Protein Supplement Slows Aging, Boosts Memory

The protein called "sirtuin" has long been studied with regard to the regulation of aging, but now MIT researchers say it can also boost memory and multiply learning abilities. Look for intelligence enhancing therapies alongside those for treating neurological disorders within five years. R.C.J.


Here's what MIT says about its own work: Over the past 20 years, biologists have shown that proteins called sirtuins can slow the aging process in many animal species. Now an MIT team led by Professor Li-Huei Tsai has revealed that sirtuins can also boost memory and brainpower — a finding that could lead to new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders.
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Is DarbeeVision the Dolby-of-Video?

DarbeeVision has crafted 3D-to-2D technology that allows depth information to be rendered on normal displays, potentially enhancing both still and video imagery without the funky glasses. Look for "DarbeeVision Inside" on high-end displays starting this fall. R.C.J.


The original 2D image on the left looks flat and out-of-focus compared to the DarbeeVision enhanced image (right) where 3D highlights are emphasized.

Here is what EETimes says about DarbeeVision: Dolby took the very best available audio and made it better, but nothing like it has existed for video. Now DarbeeVision Inc. hopes to do for video what Dolby did for audio—enhance the details while suppressing the noise. And like the first Dolby devices for audio, the first DarbeeVision equipped devices—due out by Christmas—will be equipped with a on/off button, so you can prove to yourself how well it improves picture quality...
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#MEMS Chips Beat Recession with Double-Digit Growth

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) chips have bounced back from recessionary pressures by returning to the double-digit growth they experienced before the recession. Look for MEMS chips in everything from mobile handsets to children's toys, beating nearly every other technology in market growth for at least five more years. R.C.J.


Here is what EETimes says about the growing MEMS market: Propelled by strong sales of mobile handsets, gaming controllers, digital cameras and other consumer electronics devices, the micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) market will return to double-digit growth in 2010 after two years of decline, according to market research firm iSuppli Corp. The total MEMS market will be worth about $6.5 billion, up more than 11 percent from last year and nearly as high as its historic peak in 2007, according to iSuppli (El Segundo, Calif.). By 2014, the MEMS market will surpass $9.8 billion, iSuppli predicted...
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#Cyber #Security How-To in the #Botnet Era

Cyber-security issues are evolving as fast as botnets, making it a challenge to keep up with effective defense techniques. Look for increasing sophistication in cyber attacks and in response an escalation in defense techniques for the foreseeable future. R.C.J.


Here's what TRI says about its own cyber security report: Leadership in the cyber security solutions business is a very fickle thing. For instance, the most dangerous cyber threat today is the botnet-based attack that spawns Denial of Service (DoS), data theft, and malicious spam. But where were botnets three years ago? They were relatively unknown -- which means a lot of recently purchased security solutions are out of date and new categories of security products have emerged to fill the gaps. So warns a new analyst study by Technology Research Institute (TRI) entitled, Advanced Network Security Solutions for the Large Enterprise. The study is based on deep conversations with 16 leading cyber security solution firms who are profiled in the report. TRI claims market confusion abounds today over what constitutes a truly "advanced" cyber security system especially for organizations with large scale, always-on networks. But that confusion is not necessarily a bad thing in a fast moving field like cyber defense, says TRI. In fact, it's only natural: since the cyber criminal is ever-elusive and adaptive, cyber defense systems must also constantly adapt and absorb new functions...Here are some highlights from TRI's report:Cyber Attacks Gain in Sophistication...Network Operator Proficiency is key...Network Simulation Software now Critical...Security from the Inside Out Through NBA...SIEM Super Fast Correlation and Reduction of Events...DPI Cleaning of Traffic during a Denial of Service Attack...Combining Security Capabilities...
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#MEMS Expertise Propels EV Group in #3D #IC and #LED

EV Group is supplying the world's semiconductor fabs with wafer bonding and lithographic equipment prized by MEMS and other nanotech pioneers. Look for EV Group to expand its reach beyond MEMS to 3D ICs and LEDs in 2011. R.C.J.


Here is what EV Group says about its own efforts at Semicon West: EV Group (EVG), a leading supplier of wafer bonding and lithography equipment for the MEMS, nanotechnology and semiconductor markets, today announced it has received an order for its EVG520IS semi-automated wafer bonding system and EVG620TB mask and bond aligner from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The tools will be employed at Nano Fab - UTA's Nanotechnology Research and Teaching Facility, which is funded by the National Science Foundation's Major Research Instrumentation Program - for a wide range of MEMS-related as well as photonics and optoelectronics research. The order is EVG's latest centered on the MEMS market, following its March shipment of two wafer bonders to the University of Michigan's Lurie Nanofabrication Facility for advanced MEMS research. MEMS are currently undergoing explosive growth, according to market analyst firm Yole Developpement, outpacing nearly every other segment of the electronics industry due to their implementation in sensors and accelerometers for mobile handsets, set-top boxes, gaming consoles and other high-volume consumer applications. A long-established premier provider of wafer bonding, alignment and handling equipment to MEMS-focused customers in industry as well as academia - 27 of the world's top 30 MEMS manufacturers use its equipment - EVG has leveraged its success in this arena to migrate into key emerging technologies, including 3D ICs and light-emitting diodes (LEDs)...
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