Natcore Technology Inc (NTCXF)

[JB3729]

Welcome to the board nashville! Interesting response from MicroTech.

"I am responding to your inquiry over the internet concerning the Natcore system and our Intelligent Process Station. (IPS).

The IPS is a class of systems which use a variety of metrology systems to measure and control liquid process parameters.

The Natcore system which has now been delivered incorporates this technology. This is a manual system, meaning you hand load the substrates and is targeted for process development.

It will be using Natcore’s AntiReflective Coating technology. Future systems will go into pilot lines and ultimately into production applications in the solar market..."

from MicroTech in response to a question about Natcore and Microtech's latest IPS update from CK. Hopefully, there's some revenue involved. At the very least, Natcore's tech is moving forward...

Nashville

I think that what MicroTech refers to as a pilot line, Natcore calls a test, not sure though. The second paragraph addresses "manual system" ...

Natcore Technology Signs Agreement for First Sale
Natcore began building its processing station on March 15. It is expected that completion of the first production phase will take eight to ten weeks. After extensive testing and adjustments, if necessary, the device will be shipped to TLNZ in China. The sale closing is contingent upon a successful test by TLNZ.

"We have designed this product so we can add and subtract components based on the needs of our customers," says Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini. "This means that we can build machines across a wide range of complexity, capabilities and price and accommodate the specific needs of individual manufacturers. Some solar cell producers will want the fully automated version whereas others may prefer a version that involves a more manual process, because of availability of inexpensive labor.

The below addresses revenue expectations ...

"AR-Box #1 will be used for our own RD efforts," says Provini. "It will allow us to craft precise formulas for each customer. That's a necessity because solar cell production differs from plant to plant."

"We have received strong interest from companies in China, Italy, and the U.S. that could lead to production of four additional machines," Provini adds. "That would represent significant revenue for Natcore. We would profit from licensing fees, and from sales of the machines and the chemicals that will be used to recharge them. We hope to close at least two of these sales by the end of the year."

I asked Tom Scarpa about MicroTech's IPS. I wondered if Natcore's name change to AR-Box, from NIPS, was due to a conflict of any kind. He said no, Natcore wanted to trademark the AR-Box name.

I also asked Tom what Microtech's IPS would be used for. He said that MicroTech has been providing equipment to the semi-conductor industry for 25 years and that every semi-conductor goes through the costly and hazardous chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, which involves high temperature ovens. These ovens are similar to the ovens that Natcore's AR-Boxes will replace in the solar industry.

Tom said that Natcore and Microtech may work together to replace the ovens used in the semi-conductor industry.

JB