German firm invests $1.5 million in semiconductor startup Semprius
Semprius can "print" semiconductors on various surfaces. (Semprius illustration)
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DURHAM, N.C. – A Germany-based semiconductor foundry is investing $1.5 million in venture-capital backed Semprius, which has developed proprietary technology for printing semiconductors on a variety of materials.
As part of the deal, Semprius will use X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG as its foundry. X-FAB is based in Erfurt, germany.
Investors in Semprius include Intersouth partners in Durham and In-Q-Tel, the venture arm of the Central Intelligence Agency. Semprius has raised more than $11 million in venture funding.
Semprius’ technology is centered around a patented manufacturing process which enables semiconductors to be printed onto glass, plastic or other materials for use in solar panels, liquid crystal displays, advanced disk drivers and other devices.
Last summer, Semprius disclosed the receipt of a $500,000 grant from the Department of Energy for use in helping commercialize its solar power technology. The grant follows a $6.4 million investment round in June that included In-Q-Tel.
Semprius is targeting use of its technology for such applications as solar panels, electronic displays and mobile devices.
X-FAB offers Semprius production capabilities in a variety of forms.
“The strategic relationship with X-FAB will provide our customers with ready access to world-class semiconductor fabrication in all aspects, from a Semprius-certified design kit to fully warranted wafer delivery,” said Joe Carr, chief executive officer at Semprius.
Hans-Juergen Straub, X-FAB’s CEO, said the deal “opens a multitude of new markets for our foundry business, and we foresee many areas of potential cooperation with Semprius.”
X-FAB operates semiconductor wafer production facilities in Germany, Lubbock, Texas, and Malaysia.
Copyright 2012 WRAL Tech Wire. All rights reserved.
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