May 4, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — Research firm Lux Research profiled 328 companies across 15 different emerging technology domains in Q1 2012. Of these, Lux Research selected its top 10, including a gallium-nitride (GaN) power device maker, printed electronics supplier, and others.
Lux Research uses primary research to provide detailed information and critical analysis of firms developing emerging technologies that are poised to impact global megatrends like sustainable energy and infrastructure, sustainable health and wellness, and materials revolutions. Each firm gets a “Lux Take” that ranges from “Strong Caution” to “Strong Positive,” to provide a bottom-line assessment of its prospect, with a “Wait and See” rating for companies that still face too much uncertainty for a definitive call. The top 10 from Q1 2012 are:
1. Transphorm – Energy Electronics (Wait and See)
This high-profile, VC-backed, vertically-integrated manufacturer of GaN-based power devices is a leading start-up with new product releases and demonstrations in the power supply, PV inverter, and motor drive areas.
2. Zyvex Technologies – Advanced Materials (Positive)
Combining a savvy business strategy with its core proprietary polymer technology, Zyvex is one of the few developers to successfully commercialize structural nanocomposites.
3. Clearford Industries – Water, Alternative Fuels (Positive)
With a low-maintenance, easy-to-install distributed wastewater treatment system that is vetted in the developed world, Clearford is poised for a successful transition to developing world markets.
4. Accelergy – Alternative Fuels (Positive)
A leading developer of catalytic coal-to-liquid (CTL) and gas-to-liquid (GTL) technologies that convert cheap, available feedstocks into jet fuel and diesel, Accelergy is currently testing its CTL technology in China and looking for GTL partners in North America.
5. Cbrite – Printed Electronics (Positive)
Novel metal oxide semiconductor materials could liberate flat-panel displays (FPDs) from dependence on silicon and open new frontiers in cost and flexibility.
6. Amyris – Bio-based Materials and Chemicals, Alternative Fuels (Positive)
In spite of revised production and cash flow targets, Amyris still tops the list of bio-based innovators we briefed last quarter with its biosynthetically-produced farnesene that readily converts into products relevant to cosmetics, flavorings, diesel-compatible fuels, and other specialty chemicals.
7. Global Solar – Solar Components, Solar Systems and Sustainable Building Materials (Wait and See)
As a Tier-1 flexible copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS)-based photovoltaics (PV) module manufacturer, Global Solar is one of the flexible solar cell suppliers for Dow Chemical’s PowerHouse Shingles.
8. Liquid Metal Battery – Smart Grid (Wait and See)
With its entirely liquid electrodes and electrolyte, this early-stage MIT spin-out could enable drastic cost reductions for numerous grid-scale energy storage applications.
9. Encap Drug Delivery – Formulation and Delivery (Positive)
Encap’s all-round capabilities include preformulation and formulation services for poorly soluble drugs, potent drugs requiring specialized facilities, and biologics, followed by liquid-filled capsule manufacturing services.
10. Controlled Power Technologies – Electric Vehicles (Wait and See)
Despite requiring expensive control, switched reluctance motors do not use expensive rare earth magnets and can use cheaper cooling systems, providing micro- to mild hybridization with the potential for lower costs.
Lux Research provides strategic advice and intelligence for emerging technologies. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.