DITZINGEN, Germany — TRUMPF entered a strategic partnership with LAYERTEC, a manufacturer of precision optics, whereby TRUMPF will invest in a range of machinery for the manufacture of large optical components. Some of this machinery has been acquired from optics specialist Berliner Glas, according to a press release. The large optical components are used in TRUMPF laser systems, which are designed for the production of OLED displays, among other applications. UPTON, N.Y. — A process for making hybrid organic-inorganic materials (photoresists) sensitive to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light is one of two techniques recognized at the 2021 National Labs Accelerator Pitch Event. The technology — developed at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory — could be used for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing via EUV lithography. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More than $5 million in funding from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) will be allocated toward a silicon carbide semiconductor fabrication facility at the University of Arkansas. The grants — $4.5 million from the Army Research Office and $900,000 from the ARL — come on the heels of an $18 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund construction and operation of a national semiconductor fabrication facility. MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel — Tower Semiconductor, a foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, and Anello Photonics, developer of the silicon photonic optical gyroscope (SiPhOG), will partner on a silicon optical waveguide technology and manufacturing process. A range of optical applications — automotive lidar, biosensing, quantum computing, AI, microwave photonics, and optical communications — are apt to benefit from the breakthrough capabilities delivered by the new low-loss process. LOS ANGELES — Mynaric signed a multiyear agreement with Northrop Grumman that identifies the company as a strategic supplier for laser communications in the space domain. The agreement provides Northrop Grumman assured and preferred access to Mynaric’s products and services. The agreement foresees that Mynaric and Northrop Grumman will jointly develop and offer laser communication solutions tailored to the unique needs of specific U.S. government space programs. Mynaric will exclusively develop and sell custom products to Northrop Grumman for this market segment. RESTON, Va. — CACI International will acquire SA Photonics, a developer of multidomain photonic technologies for free space optical (FSO) communications. With the acquisition of SA Photonics, CACI broadens its portfolio of FSO laser communications companies. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Synopsys acquired Concertio, a provider of AI-powered performance optimization software. The acquisition bolsters Synopsys’ SiliconMAX silicon life-cycle management platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. BEIJING — WiMi Hologram Cloud, a provider of augmented reality services in China, received approval from the FCC for its 3D holographic pulsed lidar product to enter the U.S. market. The product, WiMi HoloPulse LiDAR, is a multifunction holographic pulse 3D solid-state lidar that is capable of detecting objects from more than 650 ft and capturing high-resolution 3D holograms. STOCKHOLM — Thin-film solar cell manufacturer Midsummer will receive incentives of approximately €38 million ($43.88 million) in the form of grants and soft loans to build a factory and begin manufacturing of light, discreet, and environmentally friendly thin-film solar roofs in Bari, Italy, for the global market. The factory is expected to commence production in the summer of 2022. DELFT, Netherlands — Metrology company NMi acquired Young Calibration Ltd., a calibration and component testing laboratory. The lab is used for thermal fluid systems testing, component cleanliness, and air flow calibration.