Industry News
Integrated products go global
Mouser Electronics has launched a major global distribution partnership with Maxim. The agreement gives design engineers immediate access to Maxim’s advanced semiconductor components and tools.
[ + ]Semiconductor joint research
IBM and Samsung say they will collaborate on basic research into new semiconductor materials, manufacturing processes and other technologies.
[ + ]IT spending forecast to grow 5%
Worldwide IT spending is forecast to total US$3.6 trillion in 2011, a 5.1% increase from 2010, according to the latest outlook by Gartner.
[ + ]Transparent conductor sales on the way up
Consumption of transparent conductors by the photovoltaics industry is expected to reach $548 million by 2017, according to a new study by industry analyst firm NanoMarkets. The report, Transparent Conductors in Photovoltaics: Market Opportunities 2011, states that photovoltaics is so far the only application for transparent conductors that has made a wholesale shift away from ITO, thus creating a substantial opportunity for suppliers of other transparent conductive oxides.
[ + ]Certification deal
An agreement between IEC, ILAC and IAF may help significantly reduce cost, time and complexity for the reassessment of certification bodies and testing laboratories that are accredited by IAF and ILAC Member ABs.
[ + ]element14 wins award
element14’s trading in Greater China has won the Engineers Favourite Distributor award at the 2010 EDN China Innovation Awards, for the second consecutive year.
[ + ]Livingston expands
Following the opening of facilities in India last year, Livingstone is now collaborating with Tech Rentals, Vicom, Celemetrix and vendors Agilent/Trio Smartcal, JDSU and Spirent/Matrium.
[ + ]Belden reaches out
Belden has bought GarrettCom, a company selling industrial networking IP-based switches and routers, and the Thomas & Betts Communications Products Business.
[ + ]Renesas Mobile opens its doors
Renesas Mobile, a specialist in SoC mainly for mobile devices and car navigation systems, has begun operation on 1 December.
[ + ]Panel expansion using Gen 8 fabs
As panel makers expand, they are increasingly using Gen 8 fabs for LCD TV panel production. According to the latest Quarterly Large-Area Production Strategy Report, 41% of LCD TV panels were produced on Gen 8 lines in Q3’10, a leap from 35% in Q2’10. The share is expected to grow to 42% based on panel makers’ plans. Meanwhile, 6% of notebook PC panels were made on Gen 6 lines in Q3’10, and will increase to 9%.
[ + ]ABB to acquire Baldor
ABB and Baldor Electric Company have agreed that ABB will acquire Baldor in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately US$4.2 billion, including $1.1 billion of net debt.
[ + ]In-vitro study of brain tissue
The nanoelectronics research centre imec and Peira, a Belgium-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical and chemical research instruments, have jointly developed a slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue. The new tool enables long-term studying of brain cultures through electronic stimulation and read-out, essential in getting insight into the functioning of the brain.
[ + ]NanoMarkets releases report on transparent conductor materials
Manufacturers of transparent conductors have good reason to view the emerging OLED industry as a viable business opportunity, according to a new report from industry firm NanoMarkets.
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