SI makes cuts to focus on nano

Sept. 13, 2002 — SI Diamond Technology Inc. said Thursday it will reduce one subsidiary to focus on the nanotech efforts of another business unit.

Texas-based SI said it will lay off four administrators and marketing staff from its 10-person Electronic Billboard Technology Inc. (EBT) subsidiary as it moves away from directly selling and installing its products. EBT now will license its digitized sign technology to manufacturers and suppliers, the company said.

“EBT is a tremendous cash burner,” said Brad Arberg, SI spokesman. “The idea behind this was to figure out a way we could continue to get a possible royalty stream and benefit of research and development.”

Arberg said the firm is concentrating on its Applied Nanotech Inc. subsidiary, which researches and develops nanoparticles for use in flat-panel displays, imaging and other applications.

Applied Nanotech said this week it had signed a licensing agreement with an undisclosed Japanese display manufacturer for making and selling flat-panel displays based on ANI’s carbon films and carbon nanotube electron emission technologies. ANI also will work with the firm on R&D related to hydrogen sensors for fuel cells.

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