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MAY 23rd, 2005
Quellan Inc, based in Atlanta, Georgia, announced its Nx2000 6.25
Gbps Quad Wideband Noise Canceller. The chip, designed as a companion chip to the company's Eq601 Wideband Equalizer, overcomes
timing delays that are normally associated with wire traces, cables and connectors in high speed applications such as network
communications. The new technologies' capability to increase the speed of the enterprise without expensive high-speed equipment
was confirmed by Tony Stelliga, Quellan's President and CEO, "The Nx2000 provides OEM's the interconnect performance they've
been dreaming of -- up to a 400% increase in speed -- all without having to change their interconnect infrastructure. This
greatly reduces both capital equipment and development costs, while preventing costly network downtime required to install
new interconnects. The Nx2000 quad canceller is fully adaptive to ensure the highest performance across a wide range possible
system variations in Telecom/Enterprise, Network Storage, and Computing Applications."
The Nx2000 chip, an analog VLSI design with over 4000 discrete analog
devices, is based on an algorithm that synthesizes network signal interference and then determines and applies a noise correction
signal. In order to accomplish this, the chip is placed between the connector and the transceiver to cancel any signal coupling
between local transmitters and adjacent receivers. To give the Nx2000 fully adaptive phase, amplitude and frequency control
the chip includes eight channel emulator cores.
The chip, which has applications in a number of "market-demanding"
areas, is priced at $99.00 in quantities of $500.00 and up. Power consumption is rated at 600 mW per receive channel.
MARCH 31st, 2005
Green is the color to describe environmentally safe technology.
Consumers, governments and business scrutinize for green tags on products that range from PCs to clothes. This trend towards
more environmental regulation and a healthier environment throughout the world, has resulted in the most technically advanced
companies placing the environment on the top of their business plan list.
Raymor Industries Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RAR) has gone one step beyond
the realm of applying technology to minimize environmentally dangerous products and manufacturing processes. Raymor's process,
by contrast, consumes pollutants. In this case the process used to produce carbon nanotubes consumes methane, a greenhouse
gas, and then converts it to carbon nanotubes and hydrogen. Because the process uses methane, the company states that it helps
Canada meet its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. As well, because the byproduct of the process is hydrogen, the potential
exists for a source of emission-free hydrogen fuel. Besides these added benefits, the company reports that the nanotube process
is 25 times more efficient, less dangerous and less costly than other existing nanotube technology process.
Raymor's side wall carbon nanotubes (C-SWNT), which are actually
based on methane gas as the raw material, are reported to be 100 times stronger than steel, but only one-sixth the
weight. The company lists numerous areas where innovative applications of the technology can be found. These include
automobile and spacecraft components, biomedical components, chemical sensors, fuel cells, textiles and X-Ray machines. The
technology, because of its light-weight, could also give rise to the age of self-propelled air flight. Stephane Robert, President
of Raymor hinted at the technologies' potential, "There is no question that single-walled carbon nanotubes will have enormous
impact on our lives. This new process makes it easier and safer to produce the high quality nanotubes needed for breakthrough
technologies. Manufacturers around the world are looking for sustainable and efficient ways to incorporate nanotechnology
into their products. We've brought them one step closer with this Raymor process."
Raymor's technology was obtained just recently through an exclusive
worldwide rights agreement with the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS).
MARCH 7th, 2005
Daystar's
Ultralight Solar Foil Planned for Flight Applications
Daystar Technologies
Inc. has announced its silicon-free solar cell product called Lightfoil. The technology based on specialty metal foils instead
of silicon is targeted at low-weight flight systems, which can not afford the extra weight from batteries or bulky silicon
solar cells. The technology may be useful to power toy-sized search and rescue planes or the basis for new types of light-weight
gliders, or perhaps incorporated onto solar powered winged bicylces.
The light foil gets
its name from its low power to weight ratio. The company in a laboratory setting has achieved a 1440 W/kg power to weight
ratio ( with a 15.2% AM0 efficiency). This performance, according to the company, has 50 percent more energy density level
and is 60 percent lighter than all known thin film technologies. The ultra-thin LightFoil is based on copper indium gallium
selenide (CIGS) solar cells, a technology gaining in popularity, deposited on
thin titanium foil.
As an added feature,
above and beyond silicon, the foil, like everyday aluminum foil found in the kitchen, can be molded into a variety of different
types of shapes. A feature useful to energy retrofit the curved surfaces found on planes and satellites.
MARCH 2, 2005
New Technology Protects Pedestrians
from Unexpected Electrocution from Lamp Posts
Ever feel a little bit wary as you stepped
on a metal man-hole cover or a metal storm drain cover? Couldn't quite pinpoint
the basis for your fear? What about a lamp pole? Perhaps you should trust your
basic instincts. Manhole covers, lamp poles and other conductive structures on the street have electrocuted pedestrians and
their pets. Why? Aging electric distribution grids with poor and frayed connections.
So for now avoid such objects, especially
in the older sections of town. As well, wear non-conductive shoes and brush up on electrocution protection techniques and
first aid techniques. There are a number of them.
Later, you may be able to let your guard down some. Sarnoff Corporation's
stray voltage detection system has been designed to locate stray voltage leaks that are both dangerous and lethal. Christos
Polyzois, senior director of Commercial Systems at Sarnoff indicates that stray voltage problems increase with the age of
the grid and as the grid's complexity increases. The SVD1000 from Sarnoff is able to detect structures that have been electrified. Before their product came along, inspectors had to manually check electrical connections
on a regular basis. The Sarnoff SVD1000 greatly simplifies the task and helps ensure that the city is as safe as possible
from, what might conclude as a surreal traumatic injury.
The mobile system can be mounted
on a vehicle and driven through the city to check for potential hazards from a distance of up to 25 feet. Christos goes on to say that the system can also detect minor problems that may soon become hazards. The
system can detect objects electrified down to a level of just five volts. So
to some extent, the system also provides preventive maintenance. So what about electric hazards at gas stations? Makes you
wish for all electric cars, maybe not on second thought.
FEBRUARY 23rd, 2005
Flywheel
Based Hybrid Engine Offers 250 Miles to the Gallon, Soon!
Readers of the Semiconductor
Evening News may have noticed that flywheel based energy sources can be used to solve voltage regulation and as safe batteryless
energy sources. Active Power, Inc. and Beacon Power Corporation are two companies that are in the
flywheel market and in this search page. Now there is a third, which may solve
the world’s energy problems and perhaps traumatize the oil industry – ironically as oil barrels past a record
$50.00.
AFS Trinity Power’s Extreme Hybrid drive train, which was announced today, is expected to significantly reduce
driving costs, cut emissions, and reduce the world’s dependence on oil. According
to the company’s projections, tomorrow’s driver will see 250 miles per gallon in a standard sedan and 200 miles
per gallon in a SUV (no mention was made about motorcycles). AFS Trinity says that the technology it uses obtains more than
2 to 3 times more energy from braking than standard hybrids on the market. In fact, the company says the technology recaptures
over 80 percent of the energy used in braking. Another major difference is that
cars built on the company’s technology don’t require any gasoline in the first 40 miles of travel in a day. The car is able to run on the flywheel energy and regenerative brake power for the
first 40 miles.
Another technology, of many, the company refers to as part of its technology
is ultracapacitor technology. CAP-XX Inc. is one company that has commercialized ultracapacitors or SuperCapacitors, as CAP-XX puts it.
The announcement was made at the Girvan Institute of Technology. The Girvan Institute is a non-profit organization,
which promotes the commercialization of technology developed at government labs and agencies. AFS
Trinity has received over $45 million in funding over the last ten years. The company is currently under contract with NASA,
the United States Department of Transportation and the United States Navy.
So when will your new car be ready? Or perhaps a better question would
be, how long should you wait to buy a new car? AFS Trinity reports that the drive train is expected to begin development
this year, demonstrated in a prototype vehicle in two years and should be available for license in three years.
Funding For Adjustable Glare
Control Promotes Health and Energy Savings
Look
outside your window today and what do you see? Ever wish you could instantly control the glare or the amount of ultraviolet
light coming through your window. Well apparently now you can. Research Frontiers Inc., which just received $5 million in
funding, offers smart control film. The film, once applied to windows, or your sunglasses for that matter, gives the user
the capability to adjust the tint and glare – eliminating ultraviolet rays or unwanted solar heat. In the summer time,
the tint on sunny windows can be automatically increased to reduce the heat entering the building. In the winter time, the
tint can be reduced to let in the warmth of the sun’s winter rays. So how will the technology mix with new solar energy
producing windows? Are there any plans for Research Frontiers to work with solar window companies?
Besides
potential temperature control, different applications for the product include the automotive market, where glare can be a
safety hazard, as well as aircraft, and eyewear markets to name a few. Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd. is one of 34 that have
licensed the technology.
The
four United States based funds were not named. The investment was in the form of a purchase
of one million shares of the company’s common stock with five year warrants. Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
Flywheel Energy Source Starts to Take Hold
As
reported recently on the Semiconductor Evening News, energy flywheels are now used in semiconductor wafer fabs to provide
a well regulated supply of energy, and as a reliable backup system for power outages. The New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA) has also realized the importance of this technology.
Such is the case the NYSERDA has granted Beacon Power Corporation an executed contract. The contract between Beacon
Power and tbe NYSERDA is also part of an initiative between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Storage Research Program
and NYSERDA. The goal of this program is to develop an advanced energy storage solution for frequency regulation and grid
stability in New York State. Most likely this contract has
been motivated in part by the memorable New York City black-out.
The contract has been valued at $645,000.
Beacon
has pointed out that regulation services purchased in the United States
by four regional grid operators exceeded $400 million in 2003. As well, Beacon
sees a potential market for flywheel technology in the renewable energy market. Wind,
solar and biomass alternatives will be supported with its grid regulation technology. Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
Reports Indicate Hitachi will Lower DNA Chip Costs With
RFID
Asia Pulse has reported that Hitachi Ltd. has developed a low-cost alternative to DNA array chip technology. The technology is said to permit the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs), critical for identification of genetic differences. Doctors armed with this knowledge will be able to determine if
a patient will have an adverse reaction to a drug prescription – over 100,000 people die a year because of adverse drug
reactions (ADRs). Hitachi’s new technology is based on an optical sensor
and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) smart tags. These RFID tags send out a radio signal if a specific SNP is detected. Test time is reported to be less than an hour. The smart tags are expected to reduce
both reader and DNA chip costs by a factor of about 10. However, the cost of reagents necessary to perform the tests is still
expensive. Hitachi expects to have the system ready in five
years.
Hitachi has been involved in the medical research area through several different operating divisions
as well as its Central Research Laboratories for several years. Hitachi Instruments Group has manufactured Nanogen Incorporated’s
Nanochip, a technology used for DNA analysis. Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
Wafer or Nano Battery Innovation? Take Your Pick
Altair
Nanotechnologies, Inc. and Electro Energy Inc. have both reported on new technology
that are expected to significantly increase battery power, life and applications. Altair
has developed an electrode nanomaterial, which the company says will allow rechargeable batteries to have three times the
power of existing Lithium Ion batteries at the same price – but with a recharge time of only a few minutes. Electro
Energy’s reports that its patented bipolar battery design offers reduced weight and volume with increased discharge
efficiency and lower manufacturing costs. What is unique about Electro Energy’s battery is that combines wafer cell
design with gel polymer electrolyte-based lithium ion (Li-ion) technology. The bipolar Li-ion cells are reported to have 50
percent more power, 30 percent lower volume and 25 percent lower manufacturing costs than competing technologies. Electro Energy has begun pilot operations for the new battery in Colorado
Springs, Colorado. Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
FEBRUARY 9th, 2005
IPFlex Reports Sales Success with One-Clock Reconfigurable Multiprocessor
IPFlex has reported that license
sales for its DAPDNA-FW II Integrated Development Environment
have reached 100 in less than 10 months. Licenses of the design tool are a good
indication of future revenue levels of IPFlex’s one-clock reconfigurable multiprocessor chip.
The
design tool is used by IPFlex customers to develop change-on-the-clock electronic gadgets.
The company has planned a new release of the design tool for later in 2005. The tool simplifies the process of multiprocessor
based system design – that is systems that incorporate more the one microprocessor core.
Multiprocessor
core systems are expected to replace most single microprocessor systems that are used today. Graphics processors and security
encryption boards is where significant demand is seen. With the transition,
tomorrow’s PC will have the power of today’s supercomputers. For
multiprocessor system development, the IPFlex design systems supports up to 10 microprocessor cores. Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
FEBRUARY 9th, 2005
Atlas Mining Obtains Major Clay Nanotube Order
Atlas
Mining Company announced that it has a purchase order for 5,000 tons of its processed halloysite clay. The halloysite clay
is considered vital for the production of low-cost nanotubes. Atlas Mining states the price for the clay will be $500 per
ton. Atlas says it has already remitted a purchase of 500 tons against the purchase order.
The order was from Nanodynamics. Atlas
has previously agreed to issue a one-year warrant to NanoDynamics to purchase up to 1 million shares of Atlas common stock.
Nanodynamics is a diversified nanotechnology company, which has operations in nanomaterials and energy. The company has recently
obtained stature in the golf community with a revolutionary golf ball it has created.
Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
FEBRUARY 8th, 2005
Stacked Wireless Technology May Replace MCP Stacked Chips
The Jiji Press reports
that the University of Hiroshima has developed a new
type of wireless stacked chip. Today’s traditional stacked chips, stack
one die on top of another and then use a vertical interconnects to connect the chip die together. At the University of Hiroshima, the design also stacks
the chips vertically, but instead of a vertical interconnect, the design uses a very small antenna in each chip die to transfer
data. The technology also permits a relatively large number of chips to be stacked,
over 10 compared to about 3 used in today’s MCP stacked chips. The
work was done at the university’s Research Center on Nanodevices and Systems. Professor Atsushi Iwata, who heads the center, was
responsible for the research. In 2004, the center in 2004 also presented a paper on wireless stacked chips at The 2nd Hiroshima International Workshop. That paper
was presented by Professor Takamaro Kikkawa, also of Hiroshima
University. Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
FEBRUARY 8th, 2005
Solar Wrap, Will it Replace Handiwrap?
The ever popular handiwrap,
now marketed as Saran Wrap by SC Johnson, may want to give solar wrap a hard look at.
Konarka Technologies Inc. reports that it has “light-activated power plastic.” The company’s web site implies that its nanotechnology manufacturing process, based on titanium
dioxide, can be applied to almost any material, from cloth to windows, and even paint. The end result is an energy producing
product, which offers lower cost than silicon based solar cells. The company
says that its technology can produce photovoltaic products with an efficiency rating of 8 percent, but without the extra weight
associated with today’s solar cells. Konaraka and Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
which does research on energy technology with the United States Department of Energy, have been working together since 2004
to develop and commercialize Konaraka’s process technology. Information Request - Specify Company,
Product, Etc.
FEBRUARY 7th, 2005
Nanotech Funding To Bring Fuel Savings to Market, Soon!
Oxonica Limited, a diversified
nanotechnology materials company with operations in fuel technology and biotechnology, reported that it had raised approximately
2.7 million British Pounds. The funds were raised through the issuance of new ordinary shares, which included shares issued
to employees of the company. The investment was underwritten by Seighford Investment
Company Limited and Mr. Richard Farleigh, both original investors in the company. The offering was reported to be well supported
by the company’s three largest investors, BASF Venture Capital GmbH, Foresight Technology VCT and TriVest VCT.
The funds are planned for
the product marketing of the company’s Envirox Fuel Borne Catalyst and Optisol UV Absorber. The fuel product, which has been selected for use in Stagecoach Group’s bus fleet, offers a
potential fuel economy savings of up to 10 percent. Stagecoach Group plc, based
in the United Kingdom, operates around 16,000 vehicles.
Oxonica Limited also has
signed a distribution agreement with DMX Technology Corp to distribute the fuel product in partnership with BASF. The diesel
fuel saving additive will be distributed in the Philippines.
Additionally Optisol reports that its ultraviolet skin protection product, UV Absorber, was selected by Boots Group, a company
also based in the United Kingdom. Boots
has over 75,000 employees and product sales in over 130 countries. Boots will use the product in a range of sun care products.
Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc.
FEBRUARY 1st, 2005
Mirrors Cut Solar Cell Energy Costs in Half
Energy Innovations, Inc.,
which has under development a low-cost rooftop photovoltaic based solar concentrator system, has announced the acquisition
of Prevalent Power Inc. Prevalent (to be called EI Solutions) will assist with Energy Innovation’s Sunflower solar concentrator.
Sunflower is based on mirrors, which track the sun, and concentrate the sun rays onto a solar panel. Energy Innovations reports
that Sunflower will be able to provide energy at a lower cost than the utilities presently can. The company indicates that Sunflower will be able to reduce the cost of solar electricity by 50 percent
or more. More Information Request - Specify Company, Product,
Etc.
FEBRUARY 1st, 2005
Harris & Harris Invests in Biological Electronics
Harris & Harris announced
that it has invested in Cambrios Technologies Corporation, a company that is developing electronics products based on biologically-directed
synthesis of inorganic materials. Investors besides Harris & Harris, for the Series B round, included In-Q-Tel, Headland
Ventures, and previous investors, Alloy Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, Avalon Ventures, Lux Capital, and Oxford Bioscience
Partners. Cambrios founders developed the directed-evolution technology. More Information Request - Specify Company, Product,
Etc.
Infra-Com Technologies, Inc. - Infra-Com offers an optical wireless technology that permits audio signals to traverse the air waves. Applications
for this technology include wireless audio speakers and home theater. The technology developed is considered a better alternative
to RF based wireless audio transmission. One of the reasons is that this optical wireless technology does not require a direct
line of sight and consistantly reproduces high quality audio. Information Request - Specify Company, Product, Etc
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