|
August 25th, 2005
SENSE Holdings Expands on MEMS Agreement with Oak Ridge National Laboratories
SENSE Holdings, Inc. (SENSE) (OTCBB:SEHO) has expanded on its recent patent agreement with
Oak Ridge National Laboratory with a Joint Development Project. That project expands on SENSE Holdings recent acquisition
of the patent rights of Oak Ridge’s MEMS technology for security applications. As part of the agreement, the first phase
of the project will involve the selection of a MEMS platform to develop future technology for handheld explosive detection,
which have potential applications in the detection of unmarked landmines left after wars end.
The MEMS technology for the project involves microcantilevers, which
sway from the molecular force of chemical vapors. Dr. Bruce Warmack, Principal Investigator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
remarked on the potential of the microcantilever sensors, "Our experience in pioneering microcantilever sensors as well as
recent scientific advances by Dr. Lal Pinnaduwage and coworkers are very encouraging for the future of explosives detection,
and we feel that Sense Holdings is an outstanding commercial partner to bring this technology to market."
August 24th, 2005
Electronic Sensor Technology, Inc. (OTCBB: ESNR), a company with sensor technology that can detect odors, fragrances
and chemical vapors within 10 seconds, has won another contract. This time the order comes from Sound and Optics International,
Inc, a distributor based in New Jersey. The order was for $3 million of the company’s zNose, electronic sensors. International
Security Systems, Ltd. plans to use zNose for security applications.
The new order brings Electronic Sensor Technology’s backlog up to $5 million. The company also just recently won
an $1.25 million order from Beijing R&D Technology, a Chinese company that is distributing Electronic Sensor’s
products in China.
"We have seen a significant increase in demand for the zNose in recent weeks," commented Matthew S. Collier, CEO at Electronic
Sensor Technology. "In just the past two weeks, we have announced purchases for the zNose for use in three countries. We believe
the strong demand for the device represents the growing need of companies internationally for innovative security solutions.
The zNose utilizes state-of-the-art technology to detect and analyze odors or chemicals in a matter of seconds, making it
an integral part of any security platform."
August 23rd, 2005
ISSYS, a company with operations in the microfluidic micro-electro-mechanical
market, has reported on the development of small-methanol concentration sensors for applications in the Direct Methanol Fuel
Cell (DMFC) market. The company indicated that is working with Kyoto Electronics Manufacturing Company (KEM) on the development
of different versions of the device.
The devices besides fuel cell applications also have applications
in the industrial and analytical applications market where low-cost, accurate, small, inline density or chemical concentration
sensors are needed. Commenting on that market, the commercialization date and the company’s venture campaign was Dr.
Douglas Sparks, ISSYS' Executive Vice President, "The small industrial density / concentration sensors will be ready for sale
by the first quarter 2006. ISSYS is in the process of recruiting capital investment in order to commercialize the low-cost
(and high volume) methanol concentration sensors that are expected to be ready for sampling by third quarter of 2006 and for
high-volume sales by 2007.”
August 22nd, 2005
Quantum Research Offers Low-Cost Precision Touch Screen Chip to Replace Capacitive Touch
Sensors
Enabling precision touch of tightly spaced icons on screens is Quantum
Research Group's QT1101 Qtouch charge transfer integrated circuit. The chip is based on a technology referred to as
adjacent key suppression (AKS). On present day touch screens, one will notice a wide separation of keys. For designs of new
touch screens, the company indicates that the new chip will allow much smaller touch icons that can be placed closer together
– needed to eliminate the mechanical keyboard for cell phones. With AKS, two keys can be pressed with one finger,
and the AKS algorithm will determine which key is the dominant or intended key, which also ensures that only one key will
respond to the touch input. The sensitivity of the keys can be programmed through the use of an external capacitor for different
applications.
The chip, based on spread spectrum technology, is available for
$1.00 in volume, and is reported to have the potential to obsolete traditional capacitive touch sensors and is an alternative
to mechanical switches. The chip supports 10 keys, giving it applications in the cellular market, games, ATMs, and other
applications such as MP3 players.
Quantum earlier this month, announced it will enter the mouse market,
with a mouse pad module at a cost projected to be less than $5.00. The mouse pad is to be based on a chip that costs
under a $1.00.
|
