Dow Corning aims to accelerate time-to-market for key research breakthroughs
April 24, 2006 — /PRNewswire/ — MIDLAND, Mich. — Dow Corning Corporation, a member of the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics (CAPE) consortium, today announced that Cambridge University Electrical Engineering Division has completed and equipped a new research facility for the development of emerging technologies across a variety of markets, including optoelectronics, nanoelectronics and displays. Located on the University of Cambridge’s science and technology campus in West Cambridge, England, the new building represents the culmination of nearly two years of collaboration between the University and CAPE’s member companies. This new facility will be the home of the CAPE consortium and the focus for the research portfolio it supports.
Founded in 2004, CAPE is a partnership between Dow Corning and three other high-tech companies: optoelectronics component supplier ALPS Electric Co. Ltd., optical systems firm Marconi/Ericsson, and Advance Nanotech, a nanotechnology-focused business incubation company. Together with the University of Cambridge, CAPE is developing new photonics and electronics technologies, applications and business opportunities. The member companies bring expertise from every level of the microelectronics and photonics supply chain, enabling CAPE to both develop new technologies and bring them to market quickly.
“The opening of this facility represents an important milestone for the CAPE consortium. By collaborating together in a strategic, pre-competitive environment, CAPE partners will gain access to research results that would be virtually impossible for any one of us to fund or accomplish alone,” said Gregg Zank, chief technology officer of Dow Corning. “This is exactly the kind of technology and business innovation that is required for electronics and photonics companies — and their customers — to succeed today.”
To date, Dow Corning has supported a diverse range of CAPE research projects, from optical waveguides and optical interconnects for advanced data and communication to advanced functional optical element materials to emerging display technologies. As part of the company’s participation in the consortium, Dow Corning has embedded one of its top scientists, Dr. Terry Clapp, at the CAPE facility.
Zank added, “By aligning with and supporting centers of R&D excellence, such as the University of Cambridge, we can leverage the expertise and resources of both industry and academia. As a result, we can accelerate key research breakthroughs and bring innovative solutions to customers faster than ever before.”
“As a global leader in materials science, Dow Corning brings unique market insights and technical experiences that are essential to CAPE’s work in electronics and photonics technology development,” said Professor Bill Milne, director of CAPE and head of the Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. “Dow Corning, along with the other CAPE members, has demonstrated a level of vision and leadership that will surely shape the future of the industry — so much so that other high-tech businesses and government agencies are now looking to CAPE as a model for smart, successful R&D initiatives.”
The new CAPE facility comprises over 4,800 square meters of research and laboratory space, and includes a state-of-the-art cleanroom equipped with dedicated process, assembly, test and measurement tools.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning Corporation (http://www.dowcorning.com/electronics ) is a globally integrated provider of materials, application technology and services, and is focused on providing innovative technology for all segments of the electronics industry. Dow Corning has development and applications centers strategically located throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. The centers offer advanced resources for electronics materials and services, and are staffed with experienced professionals who can provide technical support to customers locally. Dow Corning Corporation is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) . More than half of Dow Corning Corporation’s sales are outside the United States.
Source: Dow Corning Corporation
CONTACT: Company Contact: Don Piering of Dow Corning, +1-989-496-8972,
[email protected] ; Agency Contact: Bruce Hokanson of Loomis Group,
+1-360-574-4000, [email protected]
Web site: http://www.dowcorning.com/electronics