WOBURN, Mass. - (Business Wire) Nantero, Inc., a nanotechnology company using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the development of next-generation semiconductor devices, has announced collaboration with SVTC Technologies to accelerate the commercialization of nanotube-based electronics products. Nantero has developed a
“CMOS-friendly
” proprietary CNT process that it will install at SVTC
’s two state-of-the-art development fabs, in San Jose, Calif., and Austin, Texas.
CNTs -- cylindrical carbon molecules about a nanometer across and up to a millimeter long -- exhibit extraordinary strength, unique electrical properties and efficient heat conduction. Due to their novel properties, CNTs hold tremendous promise for a variety of semiconductor, nanotechnology and optics applications. By making Nantero’s proprietary CNT process available at SVTC’s development fabs, the two companies hope to enable potential licensees of Nantero to develop and commercialize the use of CNTs in SVTC’s IP-secure environment.
“By placing our CNT process module at SVTC, we are now able to support multiple co-development relationships across a growing array of CMOS-grade CNT devices,” said Greg Schmergel, CEO of Nantero. “Our development partners now have the opportunity to develop CNT products with us in a third-party environment utilizing state-of-the-art capabilities that will transfer efficiently to their own production environments.”
The companies’ collaboration fits well with SVTC’s broader mission to enable commercialization of new process and device developments in the semiconductor, MEMS and related nanotechnology domains with support for a direct path between the work completed in SVTC’s facilities to high-volume manufacturing. CNTs represent an ideal area for SVTC because, currently, there is a huge gap between the promise of carbon nanotubes as demonstrated in research labs and their translation into commercial products that can be manufactured in high volumes.
Together, Nantero and SVTC can offer CNT device development capabilities for customers targeting a wide range of applications including photovoltaics (solar cells), LEDs, sensors, MEMS and other semiconductor-based devices.
“SVTC is delighted to welcome Nantero as a partner,” said Dave Bergeron, SVTC’s CEO. “We have seen interest in CNTs coming from a number of companies looking to integrate CNTs with CMOS. Together Nantero and SVTC have the technology and experience to accelerate their efforts.”
About Nantero
Nantero is a nanotechnology company using carbon nanotubes for the development of next-generation semiconductor devices. Nantero’s main focus is the development of NRAM™ universal memory. Nantero is also working with licensees on the development of additional applications of Nantero’s core nanotube-based technology. More information on Nantero, Inc., is available in English and Japanese at www.nantero.com.
About SVTC
SVTC Technologies, a leading independent semiconductor development foundry, enables the development and commercialization of innovative semiconductor-based technologies and products in an accelerated, cost-effective and IP-secure way. Since joining forces with ATDF, SVTC now offers an even more powerful suite of leading-edge equipment and services, including full-scale 8-inch and 12-inch process capabilities, advanced CMOS equipment, development support tools and commercialization services. SVTC's San Jose, Calif., facility and ATDF's Austin, Texas, facility deliver operational excellence and faster time to revenue, allowing customers to create real, manufacturing-ready products for rapidly growing markets such as MEMS/MOEMS, photovoltaics, biotech, novel memory and high-voltage applications. More information can be found at www.svtc.com.
Martell Communications (for SVTC)
Lisa Figlioli, 203-625-0082
lfiglioli@martellpr.com
or
SGN Public Relations & Marketing (for Nantero)
Suzanne Gibbons-Neff, 617-670-1763
Suzanne@nantero.com
