Zecotek Announces the South Korean National NanoFab Center as New Manufacturer for MAPD Photo Detection Line
Singapore, July 3, 2012 - Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, today announced that it has selected the National NanoFab Center (NNFC) to manufacture its patented Micro-channel Avalanche Photodiode (MAPD) solid-state photo detector arrays. The NNFC is a world class nanotechnology and semiconductors center,located in Daejeon City, Korea, approximately 150 km from Seoul. The NNFC has the manufacturing and technological capabilities to meet the growing market demand for MAPD and to provide technical support and service for future MAPD upgrades.
“The National NanoFab Center has a history of developing leading edge technologies with strategic partners and we are very honored that Zecotek has selected us to manufacture the MAPD solid-state photo detectors arrays,” said Dr. Boung Ju Lee, Director of CMOS R&BD Division, National NanoFab Center. “Our facilities are ISO 9001 certified and our technicians are highly skilled and we look forward to working with the team at Zecotek to advance this unique solid-state photo detection technology even further.”
“With our growing relationship with CERN and interest from positron emission tomography (PET) scanner manufactures and designers, it was necessary to secure a manufacturing facility that will be able to meet the world-wide demand for our new alternative photo detectors,” said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. “The National NanoFab Center is a world class production facility that not only has the required production capacity, but also the necessary expertise to work closely with us to enhance and stabilize the cost and performance characteristics of our MAPD. It is known for its high technical manufacturing skills with 8 inch wafers and its capabilities to meet large scale commercial production. MAPD’s unique and versatile features, open significant opportunities for new solutions and applications in high energy physics, PET scanners new detector configurations as well as provide alternatives for other industries who are looking at replacing existing photo-multiplier tube and low gain photo-diodes.”
Zecotek will work with NNFC to transfer the manufacturing results achieved during the initial R&D and limited production at the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems and Omega Semiconductors. The goal of NNFC is to reproduce, with a high degree of stability and high yield, the key parameters achieved at the development stage, such as; good recovery time, good timing resolution, low dark counts, high Photo Detection Efficiency, thermal stability, high linearity and the inherent High geometrical efficiency in array configurations. The first batch of MAPD elements and arrays, are expected to be delivered in September 2012.
Zecotek’s proprietary MAPD-3N is a design upgrade of its previously announced patented MAPD. When integrated with Zecotek’s scintillation LFS crystal into an array configuration, the MAPD provides for the highest geometrical efficiency assembly needed in the new PET scanners.
Zecotek also announces the granting of 2,250,000 stock options to directors, employees and consultants for their contributions to the Company. The exercise price is set at $0.45and will expire in five years. The stock options are subject to regulatory approval.
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About The National NanoFab Center
The National NanoFab Center (NNFC) was founded under Korea’s Nanotechnology Development Promotion Act in May 2004 and has established itself as a leading-edge facility on nano equipment with extensive processing services. The NNFC is ISO 9001 certified and is focused on developing technologies with competitive strength in order to secure a basis for independence by commercializing research outcomes while building capacity for commercialization. Its goal is to develop into a global nanotechnology supporting instituteand center.
About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance crystals, photo detectors, lasers, and 3D display technologies for applications in medical, high-tech and industrial sectors. Founded in 2003, Zecotek operates three divisional companies: Zecotek Imaging (medical, industrial and research), Zecotek Lasers (industrial and research) and Zecotek 3D (monitors for media, industrial and medical). The Company has labs located in Canada, Singapore and Russia, with affiliated R&D and production facilities in USA, China, and South Korea. Zecotek commercializes its novel, patented and patent-pending photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances with multinational OEMs, distributors and other industry leaders. For more information, visit www.zecotek.com.
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For Additional Information Please Contact:
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Zecotek Photonics Inc. Michael Minder T: (604) 783-8291 [email protected] |
CHF Investor Relations Julia Clark, Account Manager T: (416) 868-1079 x236 [email protected] |
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