Ewing, N.J.-based Universal Display Corp. and IDD Aerospace/Zodiac Lighting Solutions of Redmond, Wash., have partnered to design and demonstrate an energy-saving shelf utility white OLED lighting prototype for aircraft interiors using Universal Display’s UniversalPHOLED technology. OLED lighting offers advantages over fluorescent and incandescent lighting technologies traditionally used in aircraft, including reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions, energy savings, and minimized space requirements. The form factor of OLEDs is expected to translate into an extremely thin, lightweight utility light design. The work will be completed under a $225,000 US Department of Energy SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Phase I program.

Photo courtesy of Universal Display Corp.

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Luxexcel of Goes, Netherlands, and the Institute of Photonics at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) in Kuopio, Finland, have partnered to develop an improved platform for photonic 3-D printing. The partnership will leverage the optical rapid prototyping company’s Printoptical manufacturing process, a method for printing optical-quality components that do not require postprocessing. “The aim is to take advantage of the printer with other modern manufacturing photonic devices such as laser ablation and see what they offer,” said professor Jyrki Saarinen of UEF. The first phase of the project will span 18 months with €950,000 (about $1.25 million) funding leveraged from the European Union 2007 structural funding instrument of Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation; other partners and funders also are involved in the project. The platform is expected to be ready at the end of this year.

Photo courtesy of Luxexcel.

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Zecotek Imaging Systems Pte Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of Zecotek Photonics Inc., based in Canada and Singapore, has signed a joint collaboration agreement with Tokyo-based Hamamatsu Photonics KK to manufacture photodetectors, integrated detector modules, and associated electronics and data acquisition modules for imaging applications. The two companies will work to improve existing versions of photodetectors and imaging modules for immediate commercialization, as well as to develop new instruments for future markets. Both parties will retain full ownership of their respective patents and intellectual property.

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The European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) of Barcelona, Spain, and North America’s machine vision trade group, Automated Imaging Association (AIA), of Ann Arbor, Mich., have agreed to cooperate on market research by providing data-compatible quarterly reports. The reports will detail revenue by product category, growth history and growth expectation. The market data research of both large international associations is now aligned so that both data sets can be compared and joined, said EMVA board member Gabriele Jansen.

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Midland, Mich.-based Dow Corning has joined nanoelectronics research center imec of Leuven, Belgium, to advance 3-D integrated circuit (IC) packaging technologies that stack IC chips in vertical 3-D architectures. In collaboration with imec, Dow Corning will explore its temporary bonding CMOS-compatible solution for 3-D through-silicon-via semiconductor packaging. The partnership will aim to further expand the technology’s ability to achieve simple, cost-effective bonding-debonding techniques compatible with standard manufacturing.

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Thermal imaging technology provider Opgal of Karmiel, Israel, has signed a new contract with Elbit Systems of America LLC of Fort Worth, Texas, for the design and manufacture of hundreds of advanced EVS (enhanced vision system) units. Opgal’s sensing and imaging technology provides pilots with a clear picture of the runway during approach, landing and taxiing, even in complete darkness, fog and rain, the company said. The newly designed systems will integrate Opgal’s advanced thermal imaging and optics technology into the next-generation EVS developed by Commercial Aviation-Kollsman, a division of Elbit Systems of America based in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Biozoom of Kassel, Germany, is looking for licensees or other partners for its patented mobile spectroscopy technology. The company’s first commercial product is a handheld scanner for real-time spectroscopic analysis of biomarkers in the human body, such as antioxidant levels. The intellectual property behind the technology could have applications in optics, nanofiltration and database management, among others, Biozoom said. The additional revenue from its intellectual property is expected to allow the company to develop new applications for its core handheld and nanoscale spectroscopy business.