ULVAC, SAL Collaborate on Plasma Etching Processes: Week in Brief: 12/13/24

ULVAC, Inc., a vacuum technology developer, has entered into a collaboration with Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (SAL), a research center for electronics and software-based systems, on the development of plasma etching processes for high-volume manufacturing of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN). SAL will be implementing ULVAC's NLD-5700 plasma etching system to advance R&D of TFLN, with the goal to continuously advance the manufacturing processes crucial to enhancing the materials' integration and scalability on a 200 mm platform.

ULVAC’s NLD-5700 plasma etching system. Courtesy of SAL.

LEDERHOSE, Germany — PI Ceramic, a piezoceramic components developer, has introduced a new, fully automated production line for multilayer technology at its manufacturing facility to accelerate sample production for development projects. The system consists of a sheet cutter, screen printer, and a ceramic tape stacker, and will provide end-to-end traceability of intermediate products, according to the company. The system facilitates production of small-scale series and prototypes and nearly halves the time needed for sample manufacturing for system development to a few weeks.

HAMBURG, Germany — ZEISS had entered into a partnership with AI-driven digital pathology solutions developer Mindpeak to develop an integrated multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) solution that would serve pathologists across research, diagnostics, and clinical applications. The partnership will integrate both companies' existing offerings to address multiple market segments and the companies will make their first joint appearance at the European Society for Molecular Biomarkers Conference to show case their mIF solution.

VAUGHAN, Ontario — An affiliate of Bausch + Lomb Corporation, an eye health company, has acquired Elios Vision, Inc., folding the company into Bausch + Lomb’s portfolio that includes pharmaceutical and surgical approaches to treating glaucoma. Elios Vision is the developer of the ELIOS procedure, which is a clinically validated, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery procedure using an excimer laser. Elios Vision is currently in the process of pursuing U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the product.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Femtosecond laser technology developer FemtoVox Inc. has entered into a collaboration with the Mayo Clinic for the development of femtosecond laser platform technology for ear, nose, and throat surgery, with an initial focus on the voice box. Per FemtoVox, the company will use input from Mayo Clinic’s surgeons and researchers to raise its technology’s standards for use in surgery.

An armored vehicle fitted with the British Army’s laser directed energy weapon. Courtesy of the Government of the United Kingdom.

LONDON — The British Army has successfully tested a high-energy laser weapon system mounted on an armored vehicle. The system, which was developed for the British Army by a consortium led by defense systems company Raytheon U.K., works by directing an intense beam of IR light towards its target using advanced sensors and tracking systems that maintain lock-on and accuracy in real time. The weapon was developed through collaboration between the Ministry of Defence’s Team Hersa and an industry consortium led by Raytheon U.K.

GRENOBLE, France — Quantum computing startup Quobly has entered into a collaboration with STMicroelectronics (ST) to produce quantum processor units at scale. Quobly and ST will adapt ST’s 28 nm fully depleted silicon on insulator (FD-SOI) process to match Quobly’s requirements, targeting a 100 qubit quantum machine with proof of scalability beyond 100 k physical qubits. ST will leverage its integrated device manufacturer model to bring Quobly the ability to bridge co-design, prototyping, industrialization, and volume production at scale in 300 mm fabs using FD-SOI.

HOBOKEN, N.J. — Quantum Computing Inc., an integrated photonics and quantum optics technology company, has entered into securities purchase agreements with institutional investors for the purchase and sale of 1,540,000 shares of common stock. In a concurrent private placement, the company entered into securities purchase agreements for the purchase and sale of an additional 8,460,000 shares of its common stock, resulting in an expected aggregate gross of $50 million before deducting offering expenses. With the anticipated net proceeds and existing cash reserves, the company expects to continue advancing the development of its quantum technologies, including not only the initial buildout, but also the potential expansion of its U.S.-based thin film lithium niobate photonic chip foundry in Tempe, Arizona.

LANCASTER, England — The Cockroft Institute, a partnership between Lancaster University, the Universities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Strathclyde, and the Science and Technology Research Council, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI ERIC) laser research facility to collaborate on research in high-power laser and FIR techniques for electron beam acceleration. The collaboration agreement targets research in laser-driven plasma acceleration, with Lancaster and Manchester providing expertise in laser-particle beam manipulation on ultra-fast time scales. The Science and Technology Research Council will provide insight and expertise in the control and capture of micron-size beams.

JETRO chairman Norihiko Ishiguro and NY CREATES COO Paul Kelly. Courtesy of NY CREATES.

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State advanced electronics accelerator NY CREATES has entered into a partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to promote advanced chip-related R&D, technology alliances, and workforce development across the high-tech ecosystems of New York’s Capital Region and Japan. The agreement outlines core objectives including jointly organizing events such as seminars, conferences, business missions, and other networking engagements to encourage knowledge-sharing and foster cross-border connections in the semiconductor sector. The partnership will also aim to pursue potential opportunities for joint programs with Japan’s local ecosystems.