X-FAB puts $1.5M into Semprius

Semprius Inc. foundry X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG have forged a development agreement to provide turnkey silicon wafer fabrication for Semprius customers. X-FAB has made a strategic investment of $1.5 million in Semprius a part of the agreement, making X-FAB the designated foundry for Semprius technology.

Semprius develops novel technology for the manufacture of advanced semiconductor devices. This technology enables "point-of-use electronics," greatly broadening the options available to designers of advanced electronic devices. For many existing designs, the technology can enable a manufacturing process that is faster and far less expensive. It is suited for multiple markets and applications, including solar modules, electronic displays and wireless devices.

X-FAB is an analog/mixed-signal semiconductor foundry. Its portfolio of foundry technologies range from advanced modular CMOS and BiCMOS platforms—with a broad spectrum of additional analog functions and modular options—to specialty technologies such as MEMS, BCD and SOI-based processes.

"The strategic relationship with X-FAB will provide our customers with ready access to worldclass semiconductor fabrication in all aspects, from a Semprius-certified design kit to fully warranted wafer delivery," said Joe Carr, president and CEO of Semprius. "We are delighted to be working with such a strong technology and service-focused partner."

"Semprius' expertise and innovative intellectual property position it as a key driver in the field of printed electronics," said Hans-Juergen Straub, CEO of X-FAB. "Its advanced technology opens a multitude of new markets for our foundry business, and we foresee many areas of potential cooperation with Semprius."