Russian IT firm Aquarius to invest $7m in Zecotek Display Systems

17 Jul 2014

Equity position will enable co-development of 3D manufacturing and monitoring technologies.

Zecotek Photonics, a developer of photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, has signed a letter of intent with Aquarius, a member of Russia’s National Computer Corporation, to acquire 20% of its wholly owned subsidiary, Zecotek Display Systems, for $7m.

The Russian investment in Zecotek Display Systems will be used to complete the commercialization of two patented 3D displays for flat screen and large screen formats, and a new high-speed 3D printer for rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping.

Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, President and CEO of Zecotek, commented, “The development of this relationship with Aquarius is a significant endorsement of our 3D display and printing technologies. We already have some connections as our Canadian-based 3D team of scientists are of Russian origin.

“By this partnership, Zecotek will complete the commercialization and integration of the 3D printer technology, the patented auto-stereoscopic 3D flat screen monitor, and the auto-stereoscopic 3D large format screen. Aquarius has recognized the value of our 3D technologies and we look forward to collaborating further for a speedy move to commercialization of our patented and patent pending technologies.”

Aquarius has more than 200 service centers in 135 cities of the Russian Federation, providing end-to-end computer solutions to industrial markets, while the National Computer Corporation has an extensive IT product portfolio.

Development opportunities

Vladimir Shibanov, CEO of Aquarius and Executive VP of Aquarius Group, commented, “Zecotek’s 3D technologies provide for value-added solutions and find clear synergy with our products.

"A high-speed, auto-stereoscopic multiple view and glasses-free desktop monitor would open up many applications as would the interfaced 3D printing peripherals. We look forward to executing this Letter of Intent and providing Zecotek 3D Company, with the necessary support to take their products to market.”

Zecotek Display Systems has a substantial portfolio of patented and patent-pending 3D technologies, which include:
flat screen, front projection 3D auto-stereoscopic displays, large format, rear projection 3D auto-stereoscopic display,
 printer technologies and new materials for 3D printing.

The company’s glasses-free patented 3D Display System is based on the auto-stereoscopic principle, but with substantial innovative and patented improvements and represents a new generation of 3D displays. It has the capability of simultaneously presenting 3D and 2D images on the same screen, and for separate views at different viewing angles.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor tooptics.org.