WRAL Tech Wire

 Durham's high-tech infrastructure, talent lure Virginia company

The New Bully City is the new home for Nuvotronics, a high-tech manufacturing firm that uprooted itself from Virginia and transplanted itself among the high-tech infrastructure of Durham. CEO Noel Heiks explains why she and husband David Sherrer, who is company president, decided to call Durham home even though they received no tax incentives to do so.

Noel Heiks, left, and David Sherrer

Intel names company veteran to CEO post

Brian Krzanich becomes the sixth CEO in Intel's history and continues its tradition of hiring for the top job from within the company's ranks.

 As PC industry changes, Intel braces for new CEO, possible new direction

Analysis: With PC demand slowing and mobile device use growing, chip giant Intel has yet to announce who will replace retiring CEO Paul Otellini. In the short-term, customers will delay purchasing while there is significant uncertainty surrounding Intel's long-term direction.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini

 Solar tech firm Semprius aims to raise $4M

Solar technology company Semprius, which has developed a way to make more efficient solar cells about the about the size of a pencil point, raises $2.1 million.

Semprius' solar panel technology

 Lenovo reportedly to design own chips for smartphones, tablets

The world's No. 2 PC manufacturer is designing its own semiconductors for mobile devices, according to a report in the EE Times.

One of Lenovo's new tablets

 RTI, NCSU research finds new ways to cool and power electronics

New research from North Carolina State University and RTI International has yielded new understanding of thin films, opening the door to more efficient technologies to power or cool electronics.

NCSU-RTI semiconductor research

 New NCSU nanotech research has 3-D, nanofiber potential

Nanotechnology researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new type of nanoscale structure that could eventually find its way into new, 3-D technologies in the next generation of devices. Advances also have been made in "nanofibers."

Nanostructure

 Intel highlights Lenovo, Epic Games in new mobile chip launch

Epic Games and Lenovo were both the beneficiaries of publicity from Intel at the World Mobile Congress on Monday when the chip giant rolled it its new mobile device processor.

 Nextreme Thermal sold to Missouri firm in deal worth as much as $60M

Nextreme Thermal, a spinout from RTI International which has developed cooling technology for use in high-performance electronics and optical devices, is being acquired by Laird Technologies. No layoffs are anticipated and company is expected to stay in Durham.

A sample of Nextreme thermal technology

 Intel developing new TV set-top box to replace cable

Intel, the world's biggest chipmaker, is building an Internet television set-top box that it will sell directly to consumers, aiming to create a new market for its processors.

 Cree removes 'interim' from CFO Mike McDevitt's title

 Samsung passes Apple as No. 1 chip buyer; Lenovo, Cisco in top 10

Samsung is the new leader in the buying of semiconductors, passing Apple for the top spot. Meanwhile, Lenovo rises to No. 6. Cisco is No. 9. However, overall, semiconductor sales fall 3 percent.

 SAS moves up to No. 2 on Fortune 'Best Companies to Work for in US'

Cary-based SAS, rated the best international work place in 2012, has moved up a spot on the best places to work in the U.S. in a new survey from Fortune magazine. SAS was third a year ago. NetApp, which has a major facility in RTP, ranks sixth.

 RTI spinoff Ziptronix signs licensing deal for chip technology

 Samsung Electronics heats up mobile chip battle with new processor

Samsung Electronics is following announcements this week by chipmakers such as Nvidia Corp., Qualcomm Inc. and Intel Corp. of processors designed to make handheld devices more powerful.

 Epic Games exec, Ubisoft embrace new Nvidia game console

Tech Wire Gamer: Nvidia, best known as a maker of powerful gaming, mobile device and PC chips, unveiled a portable gaming console at CES on Monday night. And Epic Games exec mark Rein likes what he sees.

 Chip wars: Qualcomm intensifies mobile speed battle with Intel, Nvidia

CES 2013: Qualcomm, will accelerate the introduction of faster semiconductors to bring 'Ultra HD' to phones and to put more pressure on Intel and Nvidia, which are targeting the wireless market.

 Blue Monday: Analyst's downgrade triggers 7.5% decline in Cree shares

Shares in LED maker Cree dropped more than 7 percent Monday after analyst firm Canaccord Genuity cut the stock to "Hold" from "Buy" and slashed its share target price by $6.

 IBM acquires Texas-based big data analytics firm StoredIQ

Big Blue Blog: The deal is the latest in a recent series of acquisitions in which IBM is broadening its footprint into data analytics and storage.

StoredIQ's strategy

 Bar code inventor, a long-time IBMer who once lived in Raleigh, dies

Big Blue Blog: Joseph Woodland, the co-inventor of bar code technology and a resident of Raleigh for 35 years, dies at age 91. Plus: IBM touts new nanophotonic chips.