In brief: Structured Materials, RFMD, Hittite
Structured Materials has won a NASA Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to develop photovoltaics operating at 1.05 µm for free-space laser-based high-power transmission systems.
According to the company, the development program is needed because the majority of photovoltaic devices currently available can only detect radiation at wavelengths much shorter than 1.05 µm.
Structured Materials will focus on developing affordable materials and processing technology capable of producing highly-efficient devices.
RFMD set to expand its Chinese facilitiesRF Micro Devices' (RFMD) Board of Directors has approved the expansion of the company's assembly operations, which are located in Beijing, China.
The expansion, which is expected to be on line during the June quarter of 2006, should increase RFMD's internal assembly capacity by 50% and enable the company to meet a quarter of its assembly requirements in-house.
"Expanding assembly capacity is consistent with our overall goal of improving profitability," remarked company CFO Dean Priddy. "Our in-house assembly products have lower manufacturing costs, allowing improved gross margin versus components assembled by third parties."
Hittite shuffles executive boardFabless RFIC designer Hittite Microwave has appointed its CEO and president, Stephen Daly, as Chairman of the Board.
He succeeds the company's founder, Yalcin Ayasli, who will remain on the Board and serve as Chairman Emeritus.
