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Seems that everyone was right.
Those who said they didn't expect to hear news this week. Good call
Everyone else, myself included, who thought they wouldn't have a CC without something positive to report. We were also correct.
We did get a little news today, Tom has meetings with customers (LSS/Celestech?) and collaborators (merger candidate?)
I think Tom had a good reason to postpone the CC. A call with nothing of substance would be worse than this. The problem is that they scheduled it to begin with and then pushed it off for 45 days at the last second. That's an amateur mistake. Seems like Lightwave always trips when they take steps forward. Out of all the stocks I own none are as drama filled as Lightwave.
You gotta be f'ing kidding me.
I guess they decided they didn't want to have a CC without substance.
Thanks for the quick response! I know you from another board I'm on and I respect your opinion. I also hate Starbucks, which is why I remember you so well.
Starbuxsux, how long have you been in this stock if you don't mind me asking?
Like I bolded in the PR Dr. Michael Perry is vice president and senior global program head of Stem Cell Therapy at Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Stem Cell Therapy is the name given to the regenerative department of Novartis. The market cap for Novartis (NVS) is over $165 Billion. Dolphine said before his experience is with building companies and then selling them. This board placement may be a strategic move by Novartis to begin courting Avita. If not it still makes Avita a much more credible company now that we have Perry involved. His guidance will be vital. I don't doubt that he has an eye for value considering the other piece of his background. Being a venture partner with Bay City Capital, a California-based venture capital firm managing over US$1.6 billion invested predominantly in life science companies.
Avita Appoints a new Board Member
http://www.pehub.com/185781/avita-medical-appoints-former-bay-city-capital-venture-partner-board/
Regenerative medicine company Avita Medical has appointed Dr. Michael S. Perry, vice president and senior global program head, stem cell therapy at Novartis Pharmaceuticals to the company’s board of directors. From 2005 to 2012, Perry was a venture partner with Bay City Capital, a California-based venture capital firm managing over US$1.6 billion invested predominantly in life science companies.
PRESS RELEASE
Regenerative medicine company Avita Medical Ltd. (ASX: AVH) (OTCQX: AVMXY) today announced that Dr. Michael S. Perry, Vice President and Senior Global Program Head, Stem Cell Therapy at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., has been appointed to the company’s board of directors. Dr. Perry has over 25 years of successful pharmaceutical/biotech management and development experience.
Dalton Gooding, Avita Medical chairman, said, “Michael has extraordinary biotech and business expertise, and we are delighted that he is joining Avita’s board of directors.”
Perry currently serves as Vice President and Senior Global Program Head, Stem Cell Therapy at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp, a US affiliate of Switzerland-based Novartis AG, a world leader in the research and development of products to protect and improve health and well-being with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, consumer health, generics, eye care and animal health.
Dr. Perry, based in the United States, has previously served as the Global Head of R&D at Baxter Healthcare, President, Cell & Gene Therapy at Novartis affiliates SyStemix and Genetic Therapy, Inc., VP Regulatory Affairs at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp., Director of Regulatory Affairs at Schering-Plough Corporation, and Chairman, CEO or CMO at several early stage biotech companies.
From 2005 to 2012, Dr. Perry was a Venture Partner with Bay City Capital, a California-based venture capital firm managing over US$1.6 billion invested predominantly in life science companies.
“Michael brings a wealth of experience and scientific acumen as well as the insights that come from running successful large global divisions and emerging startups. Michael will be a great addition to our board and I am delighted to be working with him,” said Dr William Dolphin, Avita chief executive officer.
“I am honoured to join the Avita board and work with this exceptional team,” Perry said. “Avita has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of regenerative medicine and I look forward to sharing my experiences and contributing to the future direction and growth at this early stage in the company’s history.”
In addition to Avita Medical, Dr. Perry currently serves on the board of two publicly held companies.
ABOUT AVITA MEDICAL LTD.
Avita Medical develops and distributes regenerative products for the treatment of a broad range of wounds, scars and skin defects. Avita’s patented and proprietary tissue-culture, collection and application technology provides innovative treatment solutions derived from a patient’s own skin. The company’s lead product, ReCell® Spray-On Skin™, is used in a wide variety of burns, chronic wounds, plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. ReCell is patented, CE-marked for Europe, TGA-registered in Australia, and SFDA-cleared in China. ReCell is not available for sale in the United States; in the US ReCell is an investigational device limited by federal law to investigational use. An FDA trial on the safety and efficacy of ReCell is in process.
People think there will be something important for a many reasons. It started because of X, who many envision hanging from a wire in the ceiling of the Lightwave boardroom somehow going unnoticed. In November he said "IMO we and the world will understand the big picture much better just after Valentine’s Day." Then in December he said "around Valentine's day we will be shifting into the next higher gear." As luck would have it months later a CC is announced for the 15th of February.
We get a random day where someone buys 300,000 shares, that fuels the fire.
Everyone is watching this so closely wanting something positive to happen. After a while it's like staring at the sun.
My opinion is that they wouldn't have a CC for pissed off shareholders. But the only thing we can be certain of right now is that we will hear Tom's voice on Friday.
Volume is solid today on the TSX. Over 500,000 shares, .12cents.
If the LSS results are coming in this week that would explain the volume without direction. It's wise to think about what you'll do if the LSS goes the other way so you avoid a knee-jerk reaction to it later.
I was hoping that Lightwave would have the merger/acq done and a contract through Celestech to cushion the impact of bad LSS news.
Could be filling a need stemming from the merger/acq. They're not dumb, Tom knows we would catch this. This could be a case of applying for one job and getting another.
I've read through many of the old posts and have seen those companies thrown out as possibilities. Back when I was a newbie DuPont made sense to me, then Corning when Joe Miller came.
I've never heard Andy Bechtolsheim mentioned though. I only knew him as the first investor in Google. He put up $100,000 and ended up a billionaire. But checking him out on Wikipedia it's apparent he's an active investor and is interested in companies in similar situations as ours.
Nice volume today too, over 150k and up to 1.16 AH. I'm really looking forward to next week!
Funny thing about Cisco.
Remember Stephan from Cisco Technology Radar who I emailed? He was pretty friendly and responsive before he looked into Lightwave. He has since cut off communication and won't respond to my emails.
Thank you everyone for the kind words, it was quite a pleasant surprise to hop on and see this. If I didn't make a dime off this stock I would still be happy because I've gotten to know some wonderful people.
Snez, that gave me a good laugh, there is some truth to it. Occasionally one will land on me for a second and then fly away.
Analysts' coverage.
I saw this blip doing some searching.
Petromanas Energy Inc.
Raymond James analyst Rafi Khouri upgraded Petromanas Energy to “outperform” from “market perform,” citing the stock’s recent price depreciation and working capital levels that should allow the company to comfortably fund its drilling program for the foreseeable future. “While PMI remains a higher risk exploration story, we believe that investors seeking exposure to a fully funded high impact drilling name should add shares following this recent pullback,” he said.
Upside: Mr. Khouri raised his price target by a nickel to 25 cents.
Saw Canaccord had a 12 month target of .95c but it's since passed the target date. I saw another at .39c that was recent. Either way considering Petromanas has the money to fund this project for quite some time current levels are too low. This isn't much different than owning a biotech coming up on FDA results. It should being to ramp up the closer they get to drilling results.
Petromanas announces Shell as JV Partner for Albanian assets
This is 1 year old almost to the day, but I didn't see it included in this forum. Probably the most legitimizing news that Petromanas has had. It's my understanding that Shell really wanted in on this and initially Petromanas turned them down seeking another partner, but in the end they could not turn down the $$ Shell was offering. Hopefully any one glancing at the forum will notice it.
February 09, 2012
Petromanas announces Shell as JV Partner for Albanian assets
CALGARY, ALBERTA, February 09, 2012 -- Petromanas Energy Inc. ("Petromanas" or the "Company") (TSXV: PMI) today announced it has entered into a definitive farm out agreement (the "Agreement") with a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc ("Shell"), whereby Shell will farm into the Company's rights on onshore exploration Blocks 2-3 (the "Blocks") comprising approximately 852,000 acres onshore Albania. Under the terms of the Agreement, Shell will acquire a 50% participating interest in the Blocks in exchange for payments and carried costs up to US$50.3 million. Petromanas will continue to act as operator of the Blocks.
"We are very pleased to have Shell as a joint venture partner. They bring exceptional technical capabilities and substantial resources to our new relationship," said Mr. Glenn McNamara, CEO of Petromanas. "We believe that partnering with a global leader like Shell provides a validation of the potential of our Albanian assets and the exploration work we have completed to date. Our 2012 drilling program remains unchanged and is moving ahead as planned from a position of enhanced strength and we expect the addition of a further seismic program to accelerate the exploration and development of the Blocks."
Under the terms of the Agreement, Shell would carry Petromanas on the following items: a work program up to US$22.5 million in the first exploration period and subject to entering into the second exploration period, a second exploration well. Any potential excess costs of the work program over the carried amounts shall be jointly paid by both parties in proportion to their participating interest. In addition, Shell will pay a cash consideration for a total amount of US$16.3 million, of which US$11 million is refundable to Shell should Petromanas secure a partner for the other Petromanas blocks during the current exploration period.
The Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions including the receipt of all necessary regulatory and government approvals.
About Shell
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 90 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com.
About Petromanas Energy Inc.
Petromanas is an international oil and gas company focused on the exploration and development of its assets in Albania. Petromanas, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, holds three Production Sharing Contracts ("PSCs") with the Albanian government. Under the terms of the PSCs, Petromanas has a 100% working interest in blocks A, B, D, and E and a 50% working interest in blocks 2 and 3 that comprise more than 1.4 million gross acres across Albania's Berati thrust belt.
For further information please contact:
Glenn McNamara, CEO
Hamid Mozayani, COO
Bill Cummins, CFO
Petromanas Energy Inc.
Suite 1720, 734 -- 7th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2P 3P8
Tel: +1 403 457 4400
Fax: +1 403 457 4480
Email: info@petromanas.com
Website: www.petromanas.com
The Equicom Group
Nick Hurst
300 5th Avenue SW, 10th Floor
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2P 3C4
Tel: +1 403 218 2835
Fax: +1 403 218 2830
nhurst@equicomgroup.com
What's this you say? Increasing the demand on the system might require faster, cooler and less power hungry components? I think Intel will ditch EO Polymers and go with gas engines.
Hopefully you're talking about ARNA and not the weather, gotta stay on topic.
None of that is in reference to internals. That article was about Intel making changes for the user experience by "augmenting existing modes of interaction" like voice communication and person recognition, things we already get from other devices. It's the Consumer Electronics Show, it's focused on what what matters to the consumer. I don't know if you caught it but Gatesoft posted this from the SPIE schedule. Intel and EO Polymer.
A low power electro-optic polymer clad Mach-Zehnder modulator for high speed optical interconnects
Paper 8629-34
Time: 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM
Author(s): Bruce A. Block, Shawa M. Liff, Mauro J. Kobrinsky, Miriam R. Reshotko, Ricky J. Tseng, Ibrahim Ban, Peter Chang, Intel Corp. (United States)
Hide Abstract Add to My Schedule
Electro-optic (EO) polymer cladding modulators are an option for low-power high-speed optical interconnects on a silicon platform. A novel Mach Zehnder modulator design is demonstrated using an EO polymer clad device. Modulators were designed and fabricated with both silicon nitride and Si waveguides and demonstrated at high speed (20 GHz). A Vpi*L as low as 3 Vcm is measured on initial devices. An optimized device could provide a Vpi*L less than 1 Vcm enabling devices with 1 V drive voltages, ~100 fF total device capacitance and less than 2 dB optical insertion loss.
That worked out actually, I sent the letter with the questions to Tom. He appreciated the effort and promised to incorporate as much as he could into the CC. Assuming he can take care of a good bit of them while he talks it will help the Q&A flow better.
CC Info.
The only people on the call with be Tom, Jim and Steve. You will be allowed to ask 1 question before they move onto the next person. You will probably get to ask more as they go through the rotation but it's hard to say how much time there will be.
They are not screening the questions.
I'm disappointed we will not have Leonberger, Eaton or someone from the BOD available to us. It would help legitimize the CC.
Response from Dow Corning.
I emailed DC about their new material to get an idea if it's direct competition for Lightwave. I got a response from them wanting to know about my application and what company I'm with. The result was that their material was designed for passive waveguide applications and they are not EO active.
Intel In Mobile: Large R&D Makes Victory Inevitable
This is a solid article about Intel in the mobile market and is inline with my own opinion. It's not entirely relevant to Lightwave but since Intel has been receiving skewed press lately I thought it would be worth posting.
You need to be a seeking alpha member to view the full article, so I posted everything including the images for those that aren't members.
Click here for SA page\
It's easy to listen to the media hype about how Intel (INTC) "missed" mobile. First of all, this is a silly notion, because "mobile" isn't a field that's going away (hint: it's growing), and there's certainly no rule written that says if you miss a product design cycle that you're shut out of the next one. Many commentators also like to claim that the mobile industry doesn't want to work with Intel because they all like ARM (ARMH) better. This also makes no sense because ARM doesn't actually sell chips to anyone: it's up to third party SoC vendors to take the ARM IP and build a usable product. People who claim that LG, HTC, or even Samsung (SSNLF.PK) won't take a superior chip from Intel because they "hate Intel" and "love ARM" are, in my view, wrong.
The Semiconductor Space Is A Supplier's Game
The semiconductor suppliers are not like operating system guys, or even device folks. They make chips that meet certain specs. In the mobile world, the main criteria for buying a chip are:
Does it provide me with long battery life?
Is it fast?
Is it priced correctly?
The first criterion is obvious -- these mobile devices live and die by their battery lives. What good is a smartphone that only lasts 30 minutes on a charge? The second criterion is more subtle. There are a lot of claims that "performance doesn't matter". Oh, really? If that's the case, then why do folks like Qualcomm (QCOM) constantly beat their chests about how fast its Snapdragon is? Why do people continually upgrade to new phones if performance of their older phones is "good enough"?
Performance enables fundamentally new functionality, so saying that it doesn't matter in computing is incredibly naive and short sighted. Once again, don't rely on anybody who claims that "performance" is irrelevant for the next generation of mobile devices -- it's the key enabler of future usage models.
And finally, device vendors want their parts cheap so they can maximize margins on the phones. It's a cutthroat business out there, and in order to make money on these things, the parts need to be obtained inexpensively for the level of performance and value the part brings.
So, why do people count Intel out, again?
Software Compatibility
I will admit that I was very skeptical about 2 years ago when I heard that Intel would try to make a run for the ARM-dominated mobile space. Not because I didn't think that Intel could make a great chip, but because of software compatibility issues. For the same reason that Windows On ARM is destined to fail, I worried that Intel In Mobile would suffer a similar fate.
However, there are some key differences:
Android applications (and Android is the dominant player) are mostly instruction set agnostic since they are generally not written in native languages such as C/C++
Windows Phone 8 (which Intel has expressed interest in via this job posting) is similar in that the majority of applications are instruction set agnostic
Most smartphone/tablet applications are very simple and non-mission critical in nature, so porting and validating any native applications (of which there are relatively few) isn't an insurmountable barrier
Intel has a strong heritage of software developer collaboration and support from its position in the PC/server market
Intel is willing to spend lots of money to make sure that compatibility going forward is a non-issue
Android runs on Intel's X86 instruction set architecture today, and it will be a first-class citizen for that platform going forward.
In fact, Intel and Motorola Mobility (owned by Google) seem to be getting quite cozy, with the two having announced a multi-year, multi-device partnership back at CES 2012. The first fruits of their labor was actually released back in September, and it was known as the Motorola Droid Razr i:
More importantly, another big growth area is tablets. At first, Intel's strategy was to aim for Windows 8 tablets and then on the phones go for Android. At CES 2013, Intel surprised the crowd by showing off its next-generation, 22nm Atom platform codenamed "Bay Trail" not only running on Windows 8, but running Android as well (the tablet in Mike Bell's hand is running Android).
So, with that hurdle out of the way, software compatibility is no longer the big issue that I and many others thought it would be. That being said, as I noted above, Intel is a components supplier, and as such, if it wants to have a dominant position in the market, it needs to have top-notch product.
Intel's R&D: It Costs To Be Boss
For tech companies, R&D is critical. I like big R&D spend, and I distrust any company that claims that it can win a space while being thrifty. A quick look at the trend in Intel's R&D gives one a very clear view into just when the company decided to get serious about mobile processors, RF/modem technology, and the whole software stack that comes along for the ride:
INTC R&D Expense TTM data by YCharts
From 2010 to the most recent quarter, Intel has increased annual R&D spend from a hair over $5B to $10B/yr. R&D is projected to nudge up slightly during 2013 to $10.7B. While the efforts here include the PC chips, solid state drive effort, server chips, it is clear that around 2010, Intel went into warp-drive in a bid to significantly grow its offerings and markets. R&D efforts starting in 2010 wouldn't really show up until 2013/2014, but rest assured that this near doubling in R&D will start to pay off around that time-frame. Intel keeps touting the 2nd half of 2013 as when the "transformation" will be clear to everybody, and from the R&D trend, I believe them.
What's more interesting though, is how everyone says that Intel needs to compete with the entire ARM ecosystem. Take a look at this:
INTC R&D Expense TTM data by YCharts
Qualcomm, the world leader in mobile technologies today, spent $4.14B on R&D in the last 12 months. TSMC (TSM), the world's leading semiconductor foundry, spent $1.25B, and ARM Holdings, the world's leading mobile core licensing house, spent a mere $256M. The three parts of the ARM ecosystem that compete directly with Intel, combined, will spend significantly less than Intel does.
Further, this heavy dose of R&D is sustained by the absolutely gigantic amount of gross profit that it takes in relative to peers:
INTC Gross Profit TTM data by YCharts
Finally, despite arguments that Intel's big spending doesn't/won't amount to much, it is easy to get lost in the mass mobile hysteria and forget that Intel makes more in net income than the mobile champions...combined (that's after the hefty R&D, SG&A, and depreciation):
INTC Net Income TTM data by YCharts
The question isn't whether Intel will get a big slice of the mobile pie, it's when. And that time is very, very soon.
Conclusion
Intel made its bets back in 2010 and has continued to relentlessly keep fighting to get the first fruits of this labor out to market. Investors are impatient and tend to focus on the near term (6 months - 1 year). That's why ARM Holdings trades at $20B market cap despite posting net income that wouldn't even fund Intel's quarterly dividend check. That's also why Qualcomm is able to have a market capitalization greater than Intel's despite Intel's clear cash generating superiority. It's also why the press has had a field day touting the death of Intel, the PC, and whatever else makes for a good story.
In the 2nd half of 2013, Intel's 22nm "Atom" products for both micro-servers as well as for tablets will hit the scene. At MWC 2014, Intel is likely to release its 22nm smartphone system-on-chip, coupled with a complete LTE solution.
Don't sell Intel before these products hit the shelves. Even though the stock's price action won't be sexy for several months, now is an excellent chance to accumulate in anticipation of the sudden sentiment reversal, in addition to the renewal of revenue growth, that is bound to occur in the 2nd half of 2013 leading into 2014.
Expanding on Nuclear Reactors.
That was a good article Tony, while it doesn't include Niobium (like most rare earth articles) it falls into pretty much all the applications that are referenced, especially nuclear. Niobium combines strength, a high melting point, resistance to chemical attack, and a low neutron absorption. All of this promotes its use in the nuclear industry, especially in control rods of nuclear reactors. Niobium is also a key element in nuclear fission reactors due to its strength, high melting point, resistance to corrosive chemicals, and low neutron absorption.
Whoa, $13s? Wtf?
Oak Ridge Investments files 13G, reports 7.18% stake in Vocus.
http://xml.10kwizard.com/filing_raw.php?repo=tenk&ipage=8694268
Oak Ridge manages $3.3 billion and is 49% owned by Pioneer Investments which is manages over $300 billion in assets.
http://www.oakridgeinvest.com/
I listened to the CC and I was pleased with it, but I think I like this news more. Vocus is getting noticed. I just came across this info, I'll read more about Oak Ridge and David Klaskin tomorrow.
Someone broke out the Wagner. j/k
I already tried to work something out with SPIE, recording presentations (even your own) is forbidden without special approval.
Claude Dufresne bought some shares, reported yesterday.
http://www.canadianinsider.com/node/7?menu_tickersearch=qre.v
If I was already getting 822,500 shares given to me paying for more out of pocket after I quit my day job wouldn't be much of a priority unless I saw legitimate potential.
Already did. Edit: got a reply already. Tom is well aware.
Looks like the DoD is allowing open communication for a months time.
DoD Notice: Between January 25 and February 24, 2013, you may talk directly with the Topic Author(s) to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed in each topic description page. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting February 25 , when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.
Something Lightwave Should Pursue?
http://www.zyn.com/sbir/sbres/sttr/dod/navy/navst13a-005.htm
Things move so fast at Lightwave they should be able to pull it together in time. Either way check out the 2nd paragraph, interest in EOP is increasing.
Ultra-Wideband, Low-Power Compound Semiconductor Electro-optic Modulator
Navy STTR FY2013A - Topic N13A-T005
NAVAIR - Dusty Lang - navair.sbir@navy.mil
Opens: February 25, 2013 - Closes: March 27, 2013 6:00am EST
N13A-T005 TITLE: Ultra-Wideband, Low-Power Compound Semiconductor Electro-optic Modulator
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Sensors
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 290
OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a compound semiconductor external electro-optic modulator for ultra-wideband RF/analog signal transmission on aircraft
DESCRIPTION: New military communications, sensing and surveillance systems require ever-faster real time acquisition and transmission of electronic signals to achieve continuous sensing of electromagnetic spectrum. For the development and utilization of such systems ultra-wide bandwidths, low power operation, immunity to interference and survival under high input signals are essential. Transmission of ultra-wide band digital data over fiber optic transmission lines is another essential application for next generation military communications and data centers. Such links provide immunity to interference and can survive large input signals and operate at moderate power levels. As wider and wider portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are accessed and utilized, wider operational bandwidths are needed. In these regards electro-optic modulators that require drive voltage less than 1 volt (V), broadband operation in excess of 40 gigahertz (GHz), loss <5 decibels (dB) and able to operate at optical powers up to 100 megawatt (mW) are essential. Furthermore the impedance of the modulator electrode should be as close to 50 ohms as possible which eliminates impedance matching issues and reduces the return loss. It is also highly desirable for such modulator designs to be scaled up to wider bandwidths approaching 100 GHz, possibly at the expense of drive voltage. At present, there is not an existing technology that can deliver such a modulator.
Presently the most commonly used electro-optic modulator material system is lithium niobate (LiNbO3). This is a mature technology and can provide the required bandwidth using traveling wave designs. However velocity matching requires electrical signal to go faster than the optical signal. Furthermore electrode length is restricted due to precise velocity matching needed. These requirements make the drive voltage rather high, at 5 V or higher level, even for advanced designs using micro machining techniques. Polymers offer better velocity matching but drive voltages are also higher.
External electro-optic modulators provide distinct advantages. Such devices are also key components for fiber optic links, delay lines, transmitters and signal processing. For example broadband analog links with gain is possible using low drive voltage modulators that can transmit moderate optical powers. Compound semiconductor electro-optic modulators have lower electro-optic coefficients compared to LiNbO3 and polymers but have high refractive indices that show very little dispersion from microwave to optical frequencies. High refractive index improves electro-optic efficiency and low index dispersion allows traveling wave devices using the loaded line approach. Electro-optic efficiency can be increased further using multi quantum well cores. Modulators in such materials also benefit from advanced device processing techniques. Such techniques allow the fabrication of highly confined electro-optically active optical waveguides and nanowires. A tightly confined optical mode overlapping very well with externally applied electric fields can create very efficient electro-optic modulation enabling very low drive voltages. Compound semiconductors can enable development of electro-optic modulators with very low drive voltage and ultra-wide bandwidth operation. Major challenges include uncooled operation over -40 to +80 degrees Celcius (minimum), low thermal noise, compatibility with moderate power (100mW), low relative intensity noise laser diode sources, and compact packaging with bend insensitive single-mode fiber coupling.
PHASE I: Design an ultra-wideband semiconductor electro-optic modulator that provides very efficient electro-optic modulation. Establish proof of concept. Develop a modulator fabrication process and a modulator test plan.
PHASE II: Optimize electrical and optical design and fabricate low voltage high speed packaged modulator prototype. Demonstrate modulator electrical and optical performance for high speed and high frequency range operation. Demonstrate single-mode fiber pigtailed electro-optic modulator packaging.
PHASE III: Transition the demonstrated modulator technology to radar systems, electronic warfare systems, and communication systems on Naval Aviation Platforms.
PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The technology would find application in commercial systems such as fiber-optic networks and telecommunications, where photonic integration offers compelling advantages over board-level processing.
REFERENCES:
1. Chen, D., Fetterman, H.R., Chen, A., Steier, W.H., Dalton, L.R., Wang, W., & Shi, Y. (1997). Demonstrations of 110 GHz electro-optic polymer modulators. Applied Physics Letters, 70(25), 3335-3337. doi:10.1063/1.119162
2. Nishimura, S., Inoue, H., Sano, H., & Ishida, K. (1992). Electrooptic effects in an InGaAs/InAlAs multiquantum well structure. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 4(10), 1123-1126. doi:10.1109/68.163753
3. Noguchi, K., Mitomi, O., & Miyazawa, H. (1998). Millimeter-wave Ti:LiNbO3 optical modulators. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 16(4), 615-619. doi:10.1109/50.664072
4. Shi, Y. (2006). Micromachined wide-band lithium-niobate electrooptic modulators. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 54(2), 810-815. doi:10.1109/TMTT.2005.863063
5. Shin, J., Chang, Y., & Dagli, N. (2008). 0.3 V drive voltage GaAs/AlGaAs substrate removed Mach-Zehnder intensity modulators. Applied Physics Letters, 92(20), 201103-201105. doi:10.1063/1.2931057
6. Shin, J., Ozturk, C., Sakamoto, S.R., Chiu, Y.J., & Dagli, N. (2005). Novel T-rail electrodes for substrate removed low-voltage high-speed GaAs/AlGaAs electrooptic modulators. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 53(2), 636-643. doi:10.1109/TMTT.2004.840735
7. Shin, J., Wu, S., & Dagli, N. (2007). 35-GHz bandwidth, 5-V-cm drive voltage, bulk GaAs substrate removed electrooptic modulators. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 19(18), 1362-1364. doi:10.1109/LPT.2007.902923
8. Teng, C.C. (1992). Traveling-wave polymeric optical intensity modulator with more than 40 GHz of 3-dB electrical bandwidth. Applied Physics Letters, 60(13), 1538-1540. doi:10.1063/1.107482
KEYWORDS: External; Electro Optic; Modulator; Semiconductor; Ultra-Wideband; Electromagnetic
TPOC: (301)342-9115
2nd TPOC: (301)757-7124
3rd TPOC: (301)342-9112
** TOPIC AUTHOR **
DoD Notice: Between January 25 and February 24, 2013, you may talk directly with the Topic Author(s) to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed in each topic description page. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting February 25 , when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.
However, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing until the solicitation closes. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS (13A STTR Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the STTR 13A topic under which they are proposing.
If you have general questions about DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at (866) 724-7457 or email weblink.
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NOTE: The Solicitations listed on this site are copies from the various STTR agency solicitations and are not necessarily the latest and most up-to-date. For this reason, you should use the agency link listed below which will take you directly to the appropriate agency server where you can read the official version of this solicitation and download the appropriate forms and rules.
The official link for this solicitation is: www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/sttr2013A/index.shtml.
DoD will begin accepting proposals on February 25, 2013. The solicitation closing date is
March 27, 2013 6:00 a.m. EST.
That sounds like it would use our material, all the Authors are from Intel.
"A low power electro-optic polymer clad Mach-Zehnder modulator for high speed optical interconnects"
I wouldn't buy CTIX at this level, it's riding off a boost from a NY Times article.
How safe a driver is your average robot? Safer than your average American, at least by one measure.
Google announced Tuesday that its self-driving cars have completed 300,000 miles of test-drives, under a "wide range of conditions," all without any kind of accident. (The project has seen a few accidents in the past — but only with humans at the wheel.)
To put that into perspective, the average U.S. driver has one accident roughly every 165,000 miles. Here's how we got that figure: our average mileage per year is 16,550, according to the Federal Highway Administration; the average length of time we go between traffic accidents is 10 years, according to Allstate. (In particularly safe cities such as Fort Collins, Colo., that number can rise to 14 years — which is still no match for Google's 300,000 miles.)
http://mashable.com/2012/08/07/google-driverless-cars-safer-than-you/
I agree, the cheerleading we get in here can be a bit much. I'm expecting more out of the next two weeks than you are. Mostly because I don't think the people at this company could be bothered to deliver lackluster news and then have to catch shit about it over the phone.
Lets look at the text.
With so many game-changing opportunities arising as we move our company forward, we are discussing the possibility of scheduling a conference call in the next month or so to provide our shareholders with additional information and the opportunity to submit their own questions. I am excited about our prospects for 2013. We appreciate your support and wish everyone the very best for a prosperous New Year.
Based on the first part of the statement I would say that the call will be more than a move to appease shareholders. There should be something of substance here to be providing "additional information" about. It would be a major amateur move to release good news on that Friday. They'll have to put out a PR, they can't release new info through a conference call. Also, they shouldn't release the PR when the conference call starts because it gives us no time to read and digest the info. I'm looking for a PR earlier that week.
Austria using Niobium in new 25 Euro coin. I'd like to get a couple of these! The blue is niobium, the ring is silver.
On January, 23th, 2013 the Austrian Mint issued the highly anticipated silver-niobium coin celebrating the contributions that Austria has made to tunneling. In 1848 the world’s first alpine tunnel, the Semmering, was opened in Austria. One of the most mountainous countries in Europe is Austria and because of this, has developed some very sophisticated tunneling technologies.
The obverse of the coin a present-day tunnel boring machine is depicted on the ice-blue niobium core. Its rotating motion is symbolized by the three arrows, which go up and around, from right to left – the outer edge of the tunneling bore. The twinned set of three straight lines, located in the top part of this design field, is a schematic representation of the air access tunnels that must be part of a tunnel’s overall design. The obverse’s outer silver ring shows the mountains through which the machine pierces. Also located on this side of the coin is the country of issue, “Republik Oesterreich”, Republic of Austria, the face value of 25 euros and the year of issue 2013.
The coin’s reverse makes excellent use of the niobium core to depict a twinned road tunnel entrance, similar to the many that dot the Austrian and Alpine landscapes. In the silver ring there is a depiction of a tunnel worker, wearing working clothes that were common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, using a pneumatic drill to loosen rock. The word “Tunnelbau” (tunnel construction) is located in the lower portion of the outer silver ring.
Both sides of the coin were designed and engraved by Mint engraver Mr. Herbert Waehner.
Mr. Waehner decided not to depict a specific tunnel but rather he created a modern one that depicts the safest type of entrance to a tunnel. These long curves, stood on end, have also been proven to be the most readily recognized by drivers. Waehner also stated that he thought these entrances suited the coin design rather well “since they readily provide the perception of driving into the tunnel.”
Waehner found the tunneling theme rather challenging initially. At first he thought “to depict a static tunnel with a bunch of rocks wasn’t interesting enough.” But then, while driving his car, he “got an inspiration and the designing of both sides then went really well.” The modern interpretation of tunneling allowed him to depict both lanes of travel, as well as a mountainous area at the same time and thereby increasing its 3 dimensional effect very successfully.
The “New Austrian Tunneling Method”, (or NATM) which began in 1957
Engineers now continuously monitor the rock masses as the boring machine passes through the various masses of rocks. Depending on how the rock masses react as the tunnel is being created, adjustments will be made to the drilling so that the stress and load factor of the rock masses become part of the finished engineered design. Thereby using strength of the surrounding rock to reinforce the tunnel, and complemented by the supports added to hold up areas of the rock load.
The new 25-euro coin is issued with a maximum mintage of 65,000 pieces and is struck in special uncirculated quality only. It has a diameter of 34 mm and contains 9 grams of 900 fine silver in the outer ring. The core consists of 6.5 grams of 998 pure niobium and has a piercing ice blue color. Each coin is encapsulated, boxed and accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
For further information please visit the website of The Austrian Mint.
article: http://coinsweekly.com/index.php?pid=4&id=1750
buy the coin: http://www.muenzeoesterreich.at/eng/Produkte/Tunnel-Construction
LSS = Large Systems Supplier. Also occasionally referred to as the Major Microelectronics Company.
I agree that the share price and volume should be going up as we approach good news. However, maybe not as noticeably as it has in the past. At this point most of the people who hear things before it's on paper are probably already saturated with this stock.
98.9% purity got them the required consistency for commercialized use of Perk NR. I'm not sure that the same figures would apply to Indigo or regular Perk. They haven't given any information to form an opinion on this.