All posts by Tate Dwinnell

EV Group To Work With Applied Materials (AMAT) On Thin Wafer Bonding

EV Group just announced that they will be working with Applied Materials (AMAT) to develop thin wafer bonding technologies that will  be used to make through-silicon vias  in three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D IC) packaging applications.

Through-silicon vias technology involves stacking chips vertically to increase package density in electronic equipment. This allow for smaller devices that can do more with less power, but there are problems with the existing technology. The wafers that are used are … Read the rest

Comverge (COMV) Chosen As Pennsylvania’s New Demand Response Partner

Comverge just announced that it has been chosen to provide demand response services as part of a  new partnership with the state of Pennsylvania. Comverge was chosen using a competitive bidding process to help the state with its demand response pilot system. The program is starting with four government building this summer. If it’s a success, all government buildings in Pennsylvania, including schools, hospitals, jails and prisons, will eventually be given the chance to participate.… Read the rest

Oppenheimer: "Expect Big Q3 Out Of Canadian Solar (CSIQ)"

Notable Calls is out with a post this morning saying that Oppenheimer is raising their price target on Canadian Solar (CSIQ) following the Intersolar trade show.  While cautious on solar overall, they believe CSIQ is positioned well with a low cost structure, allowing the company to price aggressively and take market share.  The firm is raising the price target from $14 to $19.  They’re also increasing 2009/2010 revenue and EPS estimates to $476/.28 and $655/1.05 … Read the rest

Veeco (VECO) Purchases Daystar (DSTI) Assets To Enter CIGS Solar Market

It was announced today that Veeco (VECO) will attempt its own push into the copper, indium, gallium, selenium (CIGS) thin film solar market by purchasing equipment and leased facilities from Daystar Technologies (DSTI) as well as hire its R&D department.  Daystar is selling the New York operations to reduce expenses and focus on its CIGS on glass core operations until there is a stronger market for flexible thin film applications.

Senior VP of Veeco, David … Read the rest

Plug-in Hybrid Toyota Prius Not Expected Until 2012

A growing contingent of electric and hybrid vehicle supporters are vouching for the style and simplicity of Toyota’s Prius, one of the most popular and well-loved models on the market. Fans of the Prius have been anxiously awaiting the release of a plug-in model for the vehicle, which is expected to be available to the public in 2012. This January, at the North American International Auto Show, Toyota announced that it would release five hundred … Read the rest

Applied Materials (AMAT) Releases Applied SmartMove System

Applied Materials just announced the release of its new Applied SmartMove system. The company is billing this system as the “first comprehensive wafer management solution for non-automated 200mm and 300mm fabs.” SmartMove combines Applied Material’s Activity Manager software with a location-aware system for tracking wafers that uses ultrasound and radio frequency technologies. By giving factories additional tracking abilities and control over the movement of wafer lots, SmartMove can allow them to increase their output by … Read the rest

Energy Conversion Devices Sells Cobasys To SB LiMotive

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc just announced that its subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company, Inc, has sold its interests in Cobasys to SB LiMotive. Chevron Technology Ventures LLC, which also had an interest in Cobasys, has sold its interests as well. Cobasys is now owned by SB LiMotive, a joint venture between Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. and Robert Bosch GmbH.

Both Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. and Chevron Technology Ventures will continue to receive royalties paid to … Read the rest

Exxon Makes Big Bet On Algae Biofuel With Craig Venter’s Synthetic Genomics

Ok, $600 million for Exxon is pocket change, but for most companies it’s a big investment, particularly when you’re discussing algae biofuels.  Exxon announced today they’ll put in $600 million over five years in a partnership with privately held Synthetic Genomics to develop transportation fuels from algae.  As an interesting side note, Synthetic Genomics was founded in part by Craig Venter who was instrumental in mapping the human genome and has been listed by … Read the rest

IBM and Cisco (CSCO) Collaborating On Amsterdam Smart Grid

IBM (IBM) and Cisco (CSCO) are announcing a smart grid pilot project today in Amsterdam for 500 households to help the city make smarter use of its energy.  The initiative is part of the Amsterdam Smart City initiative with the ultimate goal to create a more sustainable city.  

The two companies will be part of a consortium which will implement smart metering and home energy management technology in homes to provide customers with the feedback … Read the rest

Sydney Theatre Company to Suntech (STP) Pluto Cells For Power

Suntech just announced that the Sydney Theater Company will use Suntech’s new, super-efficient Pluto technology to help power the building. The new system will produce 500 KW of energy and should be up and running by 2010. In conjunction with other energy efficiency measures, the solar panels should enable the Sydney Theatre Company to get by with 70% less power from the grid.

In a press release, Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO, … Read the rest