STMicroelectronics Makes Metasurface Tech from Metalenz Available to Consumers: Week in Brief: 06/10/22

S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that ON Semiconductor will replace IPG Photonics in the S&P 500. IPG Photonics will replace Yelp Inc. in the S&P MidCap 400.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Integrated photonics company ANELLO Photonics released its Optical Gyroscope and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/Inertial Navigation System Evaluation Kit (EVK) for Autonomous Applications. Powered by the company’s optical gyroscope technology and Sensor Fusion Engine, the company said the kit maintains centimeter accuracy in conditions that cause other systems to degrade. The system maintains stability over a broad temperature range and under extreme vibration conditions.

BOSTON — Semiconductor technology company STMicroelectronics released the VL53L8 direct time-of-flight sensor, which the company said is the first commercial device to feature Metalenz’s meta-optics technology. Metalenz’s technology replaces existing complex and multielement lenses and provides additional functionality with a single meta-optic embedded in time-of-flight modules. STMicroeletronics said the introduction of Metalenz technology into the modules brings performance, power, size, and cost advantages to a multitude of consumer, automotive, and industrial applications.

SEATTLE — Hamamatsu Photonics invested in NLM Photonics, the companies said. Details of the investment were not announced. NLM Photonics develops computing and network solutions and devices.

DRESDEN, Germany — The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS and the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM’s All Silicon System Integration Center Dresden (Fraunhofer IZM-ASSID) will establish a center for semiconductor research. The Center for Advanced CMOS & Heterointegration Saxony will offer the complete value chain in 300-mm microelectronics. An investment volume of approximately €140 million ($149 million) will see the establishment of a facility with a 4000-sq-m cleanroom. The center will be built at one of Fraunhofer IPMS’ sites in Dresden.

Fraunhofer' IPMS's 4000-sq-m cleanroom at the Center for Advanced CMOS & Heterointegration Saxony. Courtesy of Fraunhofer IPMS.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Spectroscopic systems developer and manufacturer Ocean Insight will expand its operations at Monroe Community College. The expansion is anticipated to create 100 new jobs over the next five years. The company expects the expansion to be completed by October. Empire State Development is providing up to $1 million through the Excelsior Tax Credit Jobs program in exchange for the performance-based job creation commitments. Ocean Insight plans to invest almost $1.8 million to expand its facilities at its Village Gate location and purchase new machinery and equipment. Monroe County, the City of Rochester, RG & E, and Greater Rochester Enterprise are assisting.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thermoplastics company Plaskolite acquired MXL Industries, a manufacturer of high-quality optical plastics. The acquisition serves to strengthen the company’s existing coatings business, complement exiting polycarbonate production, and expand its broad product offering to include specialty-crafted optical thermoplastic solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

JENA, Germany — Jenoptik will double its R&D and manufacturing capacity in Ontario, Canada, due to increasing demand. A relocated facility doubles the currently available space, enabling a larger production area for research and development, manufacturing, and warehousing. Corporate offices and support services will occupy the accompanying administration space.

SAKAI, Japan — Sharp Corp. achieved a conversion efficiency of 32.7% in a lightweight, flexible, practically sized solar module, which it said is the world’s highest rate. Sharp’s triple junction compound solar cell adopts a proprietary structure that comprises three photo-absorption layers, with indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) as the bottom layer, so that sunlight can be efficiently converted into electricity. The device was developed as part of the project Research and Development of Solar Cells for Use in Vehicles administered by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan.

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Dental laser company BIOLASE entered a lease agreement to expand its training operations footprint and establish its first dental office, called a Model Dental Office. The approximately three-year lease, with option to extend, is for 7700 sq ft. The company will begin construction immediately, with expected completion by the end of the year.

MONTREAL — Nuvu Cameras’ Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD) technology is being integrated into NASA’s Roman Space Telescope. The device stems from a contract awarded this year by the Canadian Space Agency to develop an EMCCD imaging solution capable of fulfilling a wide range of nanosatellite mission requirements.

HOUSTON — 5E Advanced Materials entered a nonbinding letter of intent with Corning to supply boron specialty materials. Under the letter's terms, 5E and Corning will work toward a binding agreement for the supply of boron specialty and advanced materials. The materials are used in the manufacture of Corning products. The companies will also collaborate and share technical knowledge for the purpose of developing and enhancing boron materials.

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Self-driving technology company Aurora will build a 78,000-sq-ft facility at the Montana State University Innovation Campus. The facility will include R&D laboratories and a manufacturing space and cleanroom. Also in collaboration with the university, Aurora plans to open a lidar test range.

A drawing of the 78,000-sq-ft Aurora facility to be built in Bozeman, Mont., at the Montana State University Innovation Campus. Courtesy of Aurora.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Ground Penetrating Radar Systems (GPRS) acquired 3D laser scanning technology company TruePoint Laser Scanning. The acquisition indicates a step toward above-ground mapping services that are in addition to GPRS's current below-ground mapping technology, company President Matt Aston said. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.C. — Medical technology company Becton, Dickinson, and Co. (BD), along with private equity firm Frazier Healthcare Partners, entered a definitive agreement for BD to acquire Parata Systems, a provider of pharmacy automation technologies, for $1.5 billion. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first half of BD’s fiscal year 2023.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England University and Spark Photonics Foundation received $279,681 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education to lead STEM outreach activities across the state. The activities will introduce middle and high school students and teachers to advanced manufacturing and integrated photonics through various hands-on experiments and project-based learning modules. The grant also funds professional development workshops for teachers to learn more about optics and photonics.