Business briefs

04 Mar 2005

Including news from Northrop Grumman, Jenoptik, Samsung Electronics, Konarka Technologies and more.

Jenoptik Diode Lab, a subsidiary of Jenoptik Laserdiode, plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Berlin-Adlershof in Germany starting this spring. The expansion will create 40 new jobs. The new complex, covering a total of 1800 square meters, will produce laser diode chips and 3-inch gallium arsenide wafers. Production is due to begin in early 2006.

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $142 million follow-on contract from the US Missile Defense Agency for further systems engineering, planning and logistics support of the agency's Airborne Laser program. Work on the contract includes development of its chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL) and the beam control system.

Samsung Electronics is investing KRW 2.08 trillion in a second TFT-LCD production line at its plant in Tanjeong, Korea. The line will be fitted for glass substrates measuring 1870x2200 mm and will begin operations in the first half of 2006. Initial production capacity is 45,000 substrates per month.

Firecomms of Ireland says its plastic-optical fiber (POF) transceivers will be used by Renault as part of an in-car entertainment system in an Espace demonstrator vehicle. The entertainment system will use a POF network. Because the network can transport up to four simultaneous video streams, each passenger can independently choose to watch DVDs, digital TV or play video games.

Konarka Technologies of the US has received a $500,000 two-year grant to develop plastic solar cells. During the term of the grant, Konarka hopes to increase the efficiency of its dye-sensitised products to 10% or more.

Helix Technology, US, has acquired the cryogenic cooling specialist IGC Polycold Systems for $49.2 million in cash. Helix will also assume tax liabilities of around $515,000. Headquartered in California, IGC will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Helix and will be known as Helix Polycold Systems.

Gamma scientific, a US maker of light measurement systems, has opened an east-coast US sales office in Malden, Massachusetts. The office will provide full-time sales, service and technical support.

DIAS Infrared of Germany, a maker of pyroelectric detectors, has appointed Scitec Instruments as its UK distributor.