In brief: Spire and Veeco Instruments
NASA's John Glenn Research Center has awarded Spire Corporation a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to develop thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power cells.
TPV cells are similar to solar cells, but are designed to absorb radiation at longer wavelengths and convert heat rather than light into electricity.
The devices are of interest to NASA because they could be used during long duration space missions to produce electricity from the heat generated by long-life radioisotopes. Conventional solar cells are not suitable for this application because of the large distances from the sun.
The cells also have commercial uses and can provide an additional source for electricity generation during propane or wood combustion.
Spire says that its subsidiary, Bandwidth Semiconductor, will develop the InGaAs TPV cells, which will be optimized for high temperature operation and radiation hardness.
Veeco increases epitaxial equipment salesVeeco Instruments has posted epitaxial equipment sales of $17.9 million for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2005, up $7.9 million sequentially.
The company's total revenue and profit for the recent quarter were $112.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
"We currently forecast that Veeco's revenues will increase 8-10% in 2006, providing significant growth in earnings," remarked company CEO Edward Braun.
