Feb 22, 2007 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Stocks to Watch: VIASPACE Inc. (OTCBB: VSPC), ESS Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESST), Wi-Fi TV Inc (PinkSheets: WTVI), LTX Corporation (Nasdaq: LTXX), iFinix Corp (PinkSheets: INXR)
Featured Stock: VIASPACE Inc.
(OTCBB: VSPC) Current Price (0 56) www.GrowthStockAlert.net
VIASPACE Reports on Demand for Fuel Cell Cartridges and Strategy for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Business
PASADENA, CA-February 21, 2007-VIASPACE Inc. (OTCBB: VSPC), a company commercializing proven technologies from NASA and the US Department of Defense, today reported on the emergence of fuel cell technology for portable electronics and the strategy of its Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation subsidiary to capture a significant share of the large projected market for direct methanol fuel cell cartridges.
VIASPACE subsidiary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation (DMFCC) is engaged in developing, obtaining safety certification, manufacturing and distributing disposable methanol fuel cartridges to provide the energy source for laptop computers, cell phones and other portable electronic devices powered by direct methanol fuel cells. DMFCC expects to profit from the growing market for micro fuel cells for portable electronic devices by providing the global fuel cartridge manufacturing, distribution and sales infrastructure the industry requires. The company also offers patent protection for OEMs and manufacturers of direct methanol and other liquid hydrocarbon fuel cells.
Methanol fuel cells are expected to gain a substantial market share because they offer operating time two to three times longer than current lithium ion batteries, can support the increased energy demands of additional wireless and television features, are environmentally friendly, and may be instantaneously recharged by simply replacing the disposable fuel cartridge. According to analysts at Freedonia Group commercial demand for fuel cell products and services will increase nearly sevenfold to $2.6 billion in 2009. By 2014, those revenues are expected to reach $13.6 billion. The Darnell Group, ABI Research and other analysts predict an estimated 14 to 22% of notebook computers and 2.5% of mobile phones and other devices will be powered by fuel cells in 2012. Using industry projections for the number of computers and mobile phones with an average usage of 2 to 4 cartridges per month leads to a projection of 2 to 6 billion cartridges sold annually. With an estimated retail price of $3 for phone cartridges and $5 for computers, the DMFCC addressable fuel cartridge market has the potential to reach $8 to 24 billion annually.
Many companies including NEC, Toshiba, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Sanyo and others in Japan as well as Samsung and LG in Korea have demonstrated portable electronic devices using direct methanol fuel cells. Hitachi has announced the intention to go into initial production in 2007. Overall, the Asian companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars and have in-house R&D teams working on direct methanol fuel cells and products using them.
DMFCC is in a unique position to help establish and benefit from the growth of the fuel cell industry. The company has licensed a large intellectual property portfolio including 56 issued and 62 pending patents on direct methanol fuel cell technology from Caltech and the University of Southern California. VIASPACE believes the broad and early patents are directly applicable to many of the direct methanol fuel cells being commercialized today and that the majority of the major direct methanol fuel cell players will need this patent protection. As part of an overall strategy, DMFCC is offering this crucial patent protection to manufacturers of fuel cells and portable electronics in exchange for using cartridges produced and distributed by DMFCC and its partners. DMFCC's goal is to establish a global cartridge infrastructure which is necessary for the success of the fuel cell electronics industry and which can be much more profitable than simple patent licensing.
Also key to DMFCC's strategy for growth are relationships with worldwide cartridge manufacturing partners that are already trusted suppliers to the portable electronics OEMs that produce products powered by fuel cells, and with distribution partners with known brands and existing channels to the retail market. The fuel cell cartridge business requires the following capabilities: cartridge design and safety certification; cartridge manufacturing; branding and marketing; distribution and sales. DMFCC's strategy is to concentrate on its corporate strategic vision and internal strength in cartridge design and certification and build a global network of partners to fill out the team's capabilities.
The company has key cartridge manufacturing partnerships in place. Its cartridge manufacturing partners in Korea -- Elentec, SMC and Hyun Won -- are current and trusted suppliers of lithium ion batteries and other products to Samsung and LG. DMFCC's Japanese cartridge manufacturing partner, Sato Group, currently supplies printer cartridges to Japanese OEMs, and U.S. partner Nypro has global operations which provide plastic components to many companies. These cartridge partners have provided engineers to work with DMFCC to produce cartridge prototypes and to demonstrate their safety certification. The prototype cartridges have been shown to OEMs and at trade shows, and are in testing.
A crucial part of the cartridge infrastructure is distribution and sales, enabling the consumer to buy fuel cartridges for their laptop computer or mobile phone everywhere they concurrently buy disposable AA batteries; such as computer stores, office supply stores, grocery stores, hardware stores and convenience stores. This requires a distribution and sales strategy to the mass-market. DMFCC plans to partner with established companies that already have established retail channels and possibly consumer branding to enhance sales. The company is in discussions with potential distribution partners and VIASPACE has added Mr. Rick Calacci to its Board of Directors to help with the distribution and sales strategy.
A significant development for the direct methanol fuel cell business is the progress toward allowance of methanol fuel cells on airplanes. The Japanese companies and a US team led by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) with DMFCC as a member joined together under the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to write safety rules for fuel cells and fuel cartridges. The IEC safety specifications state that the fuel cartridge should not be refillable by the consumer because of safety reasons, and disposable cartridges are preferred. Based on these safety regulations, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN body, decided to approve the use of methanol fuel cells on airplanes. Hydrogen fuel cells were not approved. Local air transportation bodies such as the FAA are now considering the case, and a favorable decision is expected in 2007.
Dr. Carl Kukkonen, CEO of VIASPACE, commented: "DMFCC is helping the micro fuel cell industry solve two critical issues-intellectual property protection and a global fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. With groundbreaking proprietary direct methanol fuel cartridge products, a global manufacturing network, and a comprehensive suite of fundamental fuel cell patents, DMFCC is in position to maximize penetration of this exciting new market."
An expanded background of the fuel cell business and VIASPACE's role in it can be found at www.VIASPACE.com.
About VIASPACE: Originally founded in 1998 with the objective of transforming proven space and defense technologies from NASA and the Department of Defense into hardware and software solutions that solve today's complex problems, VIASPACE benefits from important patent and software licenses from Caltech, which manages NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, please visit our website at www.VIASPACE.com, or contact for Investor Relations, Dr Jan Vandersande, Director of Communications at 800-517-8050, or IR@VIASPACE.com.
For an in-depth analyst report, please visit: www.GrowthStockAlert.net
ESS Technology, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ESST) Current Price (1.34) www.GrowthStockAlert.net ESS Technology Inc Friday announced the sale of its HD DVD and Blu-ray DVD technologies and related assets to Hsin-chu, Taiwan-based Silicon Integrated Systems Corp. for $13.5 million. ESS Technology, Inc. engages in the design, development, and marketing of analog and digital processor chips and digital amplifiers worldwide. Its digital processor chips are used in digital video and audio devices, including digital versatile discs (DVD), video compact discs (VCD), consumer digital audio players, and digital media players. The company also offers chips for use in modems, other communication devices, and PC audio products; imaging sensors; and processors and system-on-a-chip semiconductor devices, and camera lens modules. Its camera lens modules provide camera capabilities to electronic devices, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants. The company markets its products through its direct sales force, distributors, and sales representatives to original equipment manufacturers of DVD, VCD, digital camcorders, consumer digital audio players, digital media players, cellular phones, modem, and PC products. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Fremont, California.
Wi-Fi TV Inc.
(PinkSheets: WTVI) Current Price (0.04) www.GrowthStockAlert.net NEWPORT BEACH, CA----Feb 20, 2007 -- Wi-Fi TV Inc. (Other OTC:WTVI.PK - News) premieres its new Social Internet TV(TM) web site (www.Wi-FiTV.com) on a global level today and offers a dynamic combination of user video, social networking, phone and TV on the Internet. The site is being referred to by the Company as The Next IT Web Site(TM) (www.TheNextITWebSite.com). Wi-Fi TV Inc has long touted the coming convergence of TV and the Internet and was established twelve years ago, and provided the first online movie in December 1995. Wi-Fi TV will be introducing targeted video advertising throughout its web site and Wi-Fi TV Stations when the next generation of the web site launches on Feb. 19. The Wi-Fi TV web site is the only place on the Internet where you can watch hundreds of TV stations and chat with others watching the same program in a live chat box directly under the viewing screen, and get breaking news for each country and category listed, and download a dialer and make free phone calls all on one web site.
LTX Corporation (Nasdaq: LTXX) Current Price (6.31) www.GrowthStockAlert.net NORWOOD, Mass.----LTX Corporation (Nasdaq: LTXX - News), a leading provider of semiconductor test solutions, today announced the purchase of its X-Series Fusion MX test system by GCT Semiconductor, a leading provider of highly integrated semiconductor solutions for wireless communications. LTX Corporation engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of automatic semiconductor test equipment in the United States. It offers LTX Fusion platform, which combines enVision software with high-end Fusion HFi configuration and capable of testing a range of analog, digital, mixed signal, and SOC devices on a scalable single platform. The company?s products are used in mobile Internet equipment, such as wireless access points and interfaces; broadband access products, including cable modems and DSL modems; personal communication products, such as cell phones and personal digital assistants; consumer products including televisions, videogame systems, digital cameras, and automobile electronics; and for power management in portable and automotive electronics. It also offers hardware and software support and maintenance services. The company?s customers comprise semiconductor designers and manufacturers, integrated device manufacturers, and subcontractors. LTX Corporation was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts.
iFinix Corp.
(PinkSheets: INXR) Current Price (0.0019) www.GrowthStockAlert.net JAMAICA, NY----Feb 20, 2007 -- iFinix Corp. (Other OTC:INXR.PK - News) released today a comprehensive overview of iFinix's corporate strategy and goals for 2007. Chairman Drew Budhu commented, "As iFinix embarks on an accelerated entry into the financial marketplace with its comprehensive line of real time and trading platforms, the level of inquiry from prospective users of our products, shareholders and potential investors has increased dramatically. The following summary will prepare our clients for their future with iFinix and address shareholder concerns at this opportune turning point in our corporate history." iFinix CEO Doug Spadaro stated, "iFinix's objectives are three-fold. We will deliver quality real time trading tools and execution platforms to the financial marketplace at a competitive price, effectively support our subscribers and eliminate any obstacles that limit achieving solid returns for our shareholders. We consider these objectives to be more than mere goals. They are our obligations to the consumers and shareholders who support us and whom we work for."
