News

Idaho Office of Science & Technology January 2008

In this issue:

# ON Semiconductor to Buy AMIS

# PakSense Recognized By Food Logistics

# Micron Produces Next Generation DDR2 Memory Chip

# MPC Corp Inks Contract with Flextronics

# Local Search Site Launches in Boise

# OXON to Submit Breathing Systems for Mining, Military Approval

# AMIS, Tyco Enter Joint Development Agreement

# MPC Launches New Email Archiving Appliance

# Lexar Expands Kodak-Branded Offerings

# North Central Equity Buys ITG Assets

# Episciences Signs Two Distribution Agreements

# INL’s Test Reactor Available to Researchers

# Hoku Secures $185 Million for Idaho Plant

# CradlePoint Introduces Battery Powered ‘Personal WiFi Hotspot’

# Acsys to Open Idaho Plant

# Keynetics Spins Off New Subsidiary

# Ideas Innovations Idaho License Plates For Sale

ON Semiconductor to Buy AMIS

http://www.cl.idaho.gov

(Pocatello) ON Semiconductor Corporation of Arizona plans to acquire AMIS Semiconductor in Pocatello in an all-stock transaction with an equity value of about $915 million.
The acquisition is expected to help ON with its analog and power solutions, providing enhanced scale, higher value and higher margin products, said Keith Jackson, ON’s president and CEO.
"AMIS will immediately contribute exciting new products and capabilities in the medical and military/aerospace markets and will complement our existing automotive and industrial businesses," Jackson said.
Under terms of the agreement, AMIS shareholders will receive 1.150 shares of ON Semiconductor common stock for each share of AMIS stock. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2008.
Jackson will serve as president and CEO of the combined company and corporate headquarters will remain in Phoenix with a significant presence maintained in Pocatello, Belgium and various other locations worldwide. AMIS CEO Christine King will join the ON board of directors.
ON is a supplier of power solutions to engineers, purchasing professionals, distributors and contract manufacturers in the power supply, computer, cell phone, portable devices, automotive and industrial markets.
For more information, go to http://www.onsemi.com.

PakSense Recognized By Food Logistics

(Boise) PakSense Inc, which makes packaging sensors, has been named to the Food Logistics FL100 for 2007. The magazine is the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product and information through all channels of the food supply chain.
The 2007 FL100 honors technology solution and service providers that are helping food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods companies transform their supply chains.
Companies were nominated for inclusion in the annual list and the winners were chosen from the magazine’s editorial staff. Final recipients of the FL100 are featured in the cover story of the November/December 2007 issue of Food Logistics, as well on online at http://www.foodlogistics.com.
Inclusion in the FL100 is the most recent industry accolade that PakSense has received. The Company was named a runner up in 2006 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards and also received the 2006 Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Award.
PakSense labels monitor temperature and time of a perishable item through distribution. The labels are a low-cost alternative to traditional temperature monitoring devices and are easy to use. Lights indicate if temperature abuse has occurred and all data collected by the Label can be downloaded and graphed.
Founded in Boise in 2004, PakSense is a market leader in the development of intelligent sensing products specifically designed for perishable goods.

Micron Produces Next Generation DDR2 Memory Chip

(Boise) Micron Technology has released its new 1Gb DDR2 device fabricated on 68-nanometer DRAM process technology. The new process, coupled with Micron’s 6F² technology, has enabled the world’s smallest production 1 Gb DDR2 memory with a die size of just 56 mm².
"Micron continues leading the world in development of advanced memory technology," said Brian Shirley, vice president of Micron’s memory group. "Our 68nm process technology offers our customers best-in-class die sizes, power and speed benefits for their most demanding applications."
This new advanced memory technology will be targeted at server, mobile and other computing applications where the benefits of reduced die size, faster speeds and lower power consumption are most critical.
More information is at http://www.micron.com.

MPC Corp Inks Contract with Flextronics

(Nampa) MPC Corporation has signed a services agreement with Flextronics Computing, a segment of Flextronics. Under the terms of the agreement, Flextronics will provide MPC with supply chain consulting services and materials procurement services for its US-based PC business.
"This relationship is a major element of MPC’s strategic plan," said John P. Yeros, Chairman and Chief Executive Officers of MPC. "Flextronics Computing offers world-class capabilities ranging from new product design to end-to-end vertically integrated global supply chain services."
MPC, a major US PC vendor since 1991, provides enterprise IT hardware solutions to small-and-medium businesses, government agencies and education organizations. With its acquisition of Gateway’s Professional business in October 2007, MPC became one of the leaders in the US market providing PCs, servers and storage products to professional customers.

Local Search Site Launches in Boise

(Boise) Grayboxx Inc., an online local search firm, has launched its "neighbor-recommended" local search service for residents in Boise.
Grayboxx.com provides automated rankings and recommendations for local businesses covering everything from antique shops to violin stores. In the Boise area, Grayboxx provides more than 471,000 neighbor recommendations for more than 13,500 businesses.
Grayboxx’s patent-pending PreferenceScore technology is able to translate the everyday interactions people have with businesses into meaningful expressions of popularity and quality. Information about these actions are refined and translated into a simple number that shows popularity and actual human foot traffic.
Grayboxx works with a variety of vendors to access aggregated community data that does not contain personally identifiable information. Online reservations are one example of how data is used by PreferenceScore to assess the most popular businesses within a given area. When online restaurant reservations are made they are treated as recommendations. Grayboxx can then show the relative number of on-line reservations across all restaurants in a common area. There are numerous other data types that are similarly evaluated – each contributing to PreferenceScore’s rankings of the community’s relative interest level in its local businesses.

OXON to Submit Breathing Systems for Mining, Military Approval

(Boise) OXON Medical LifeSystems Inc expects to submit its non-pressurized, non-explosive, non-flammable breathing systems for the mining industry and military for certification early this year.
"OXON is concentrating on a new, safer generation of breathing systems for the mining and military market," Founder and President Frank Fosella Jr. said. He expects to submit prototypes of the rechargeable, hybrid breathing systems in early January for certification for the mining industry by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
"The comments were extremely positive when we exhibited prototypes at a mining exposition in Las Vegas this past fall," Fosella said. "We’ve had inquiries from as far away as Zambia and China."
The devices are known as self-contained, self-rescue units or SCSRs. Congress last year passed legislation requiring units that supply at least two hours of oxygen for all workers in underground mines.
Most SCSRs currently approved by NIOSH rely on either compressed oxygen or oxygen-generating chemicals such as potassium superoxide, which is corrosive. Whether potentially explosive or a harsh respiratory irritant, each poses potential dangers for the user.
OXON’s SCSR sharply contrasts with existing products by rejecting compressed oxygen and utilizing benign chemicals to both produce oxygen and "scrub" carbon dioxide from exhaled breath. Additionally, OXON’s new SCSR is dockable, or rechargeable, to protect users for very long periods of time without interrupting their oxygen supply. A hybrid filter component will extend the usability of the system after oxygen generation is depleted. Compact size and ease of use are also of utmost importance.
In addition, Fosella said, OXON plans research and development in the area of plasma and freeze-dried human red blood cells for waste-free, on-demand use in space and military programs.

AMIS, Tyco Enter Joint Development Agreement

(Pocatello) AMI Semiconductor and Tyco Electronics’ Elo Touchsystems have entered into a joint development agreement to create an integrated circuit solution.
The solution will enable Elo to port its Acoustic Pulse Recognition touch technology to small, handheld and mobile devices commonly found in consumer electronics (including cell phones, PDAs, UPMCs), industrial hand-held devices, hand-held medical devices, white goods, portable gaming devices, and signature capture devices.
AMI Semiconductor is a designer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art mixed-signal and digital products, and an innovator in ultra-low-power audio signal processing solutions. Elo TouchSystems has selected AMIS design services to develop an audio chip for its APR technology. Elo has applied its APR sound-in-surfaces technology to launch a new touch capability in its already extensive line of touchscreens, touchmonitors and touchcomputers, reinforcing the company’s global leadership in this market.
APR touch technology is based on the physical principle of recording the unique characteristics of a sound generated by a touch on a surface and comparing that to a pre-measured value, thus determining the location of that touch on the surface.
The new solution will provide manufacturers of mobile and handheld devices with a more durable touchscreen that works with a finger or any stylus.
Such a solution has the potential to enable Kanji writing and to scale screen size more effectively than other touch technologies, the company said.
More information is at http://www.amis.com.

MPC Launches New Email Archiving Appliance

(Nampa) MPC Computers has launched its new MPC MailFRAME, an email archiving appliance which automates the process of capturing, storing and retrieving email messages.
Designed to be non-intrusive, the MailFRAME connects to any open-standards-based messaging server and makes "photo-copies" of the mail messages for storage into any standards-based storage device. End-users can then search and retrieve archived messages, even if their mail messages have been previously deleted or lost from their mailbox.
The MailFRAME appliance is email server-agnostic, enabling it to work with any mail server, including Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes or other mail servers that use standard messaging protocols. End-users connect to the MailFRAME appliance with a standard browser to retrieve and replay their mail messages.

Lexar Expands Kodak-Branded Offerings

(Boise) Lexar Media, a division of Micron Technology, will be expanding its lineup of Kodak-branded flash memory products including new mobile microSD and microSDHC memory cards, as well as USB flash drives and higher-capacity SD cards.
The agreement allows for expanded distribution and a broader portfolio of Kodak-branded flash memory product lines created by Lexar.
New Kodak microSD Mobile Memory Cards will be available in 1GB and 2GB capacities, and include free adapters for use in both miniSD and SD products, while the new high-capacity KODAK microSDHC Mobile Memory Card will be available in a 4GB capacity, and includes a free adapter for use with SDHC devices. The cards increase the storage capacity of cell phones, PDAs, or other mobile devices, allowing users to reliably store more photos at a higher resolution on a camera phone, and easily download music, video, games, ringtones, and more.
More information is at http://www.lexar.com.

North Central Equity Buys ITG Assets

(Boise) Central Equity LLC, a Minneapolis based holding company, announced that its subsidiary, Corporate Technologies LLC, has acquired the assets of Intermountain Technology Group (ITG), a broad-based technology services company employing approximately 50 skilled and dedicated professionals.
ITG is based in Boise, Idaho and serves commercial, government and institutional customers in Idaho and throughout the Northwest. As a project-focused, technical services company ITG has been providing IT products, technical/network services and professional services for 25 years.
Corporate Technologies has offices in Minnesota, California, Michigan, New Jersey and North Dakota.

Episciences Signs Two Distribution Agreements

(Boise) Episciences of Boise has signed distribution agreements with Eden Aesthetics of Danbury, England and HYC of Hong Kong.
Eden Aesthetics is a distributor of innovative, high quality and well-researched products to physicians, estheticians and beauty therapists in the United Kingdom and other European countries. The agreement gives Eden Aesthetics sole distribution rights of the Epionce product line to the western European countries they currently operate in.
HYC is a developing Hong Kong venture, and will also gain sole distribution rights of the Epionce product line to several Asian countries, including Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
The Epionce product line is currently being sold around the United States in medical spas and physician offices. Episciences, Inc. signed an agreement last year to begin selling the product line in Japan through Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. This is the first time Episciences will be distributing in the European market and Asian markets outside of Japan.

INL’s Test Reactor Available to Researchers

(Idaho Falls) The Idaho National Laboratory’s Advanced Test Reactor is available to university researchers for irradiation experiments. The Lab has issued a call for proposals for research that could lead to better methods for building nuclear power plants.
Proposals will be accepted through Jan. 21 and experiments are expected to begin in the spring. Universities won’t have to pay to run the experiments but researchers must publish their findings.
The U.S. currently has 104 commercial nuclear plants that supply about 19 percent of the nation’s energy needs; coal supplies nearly half of the nation’s energy.
More information is at http://www.inl.gov.

Hoku Secures $185 Million for Idaho Plant

(Pocatello) Hoku Scientific, Inc. has signed a non-binding term sheet with Merrill Lynch for Hoku Materials, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, to borrow approximately up to $185 million for the construction, procurement and start-up of its planned polysilicon production plant in Pocatello.
"Signing this term sheet is a milestone step towards financing the construction of our polysilicon plant," said Dustin Shindo, CEO of Hoku Scientific.
The Pocatello facility is expected to produce approximately 2,500 metric tons of solar-grade polysilicon per year when it is running at full capacity, and the first customer shipments are planned for the beginning of 2009. Hoku recently announced plans for Phase II of its planned polysilicon facilities, which would increase its capacity beyond 2,500 metric tons per year to meet its obligations to Solarfun Power Hong Kong Limited. Hoku began construction in May 2007 of its Phase I, 2,500 metric tons per year, facility, and estimates that total construction costs for Phase I will be approximately $290 million.
In addition to the loan and Hoku’s cash contribution, Hoku’s customers, SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., Global Expertise Wafer Division Ltd., and Solarfun Power Hong Kong Limited, have committed to prepay a combined total of approximately $240 million for future product shipments to support Hoku’s construction and start-up costs. Receipt by Hoku of these prepayments is subject to Hoku’s successful completion of specified plant construction, process implementation and production milestones.
Hoku Scientific is a diversified clean energy technologies company with three business units: Hoku Materials, Hoku Solar and Hoku Fuel Cells. Hoku Materials plans to manufacture, market, and sell polysilicon for the solar market from its plant currently under construction in Pocatello.
For more information visit http://www.hokuscientific.com.

CradlePoint Introduces Battery Powered ‘Personal WiFi Hotspot’

(Boise) CradlePoint, Inc., has released its PHS300 — a pocket-size, battery powered, Personal Hotspot that lets mobile broadband subscribers extend Internet access to any WiFi enabled device and share connectivity with friends and colleagues.
Powered by CradlePoint’s unique WiPipe technology, the PHS300 is highly intuitive and requires no special software to enable easy broadband access via WiFi on PC’s, PDA’s, MP3 players, game devices, etc.
Similar in function to a home router, when combined with a 3G USB Cellular modem or 3G handset, the device automatically generates a secure, personal hotspot that follows subscribers wherever they go within coverage of their mobile broadband network.
More information is at http://www.cradlepoint.com.

Acsys to Open Idaho Plant

(Post Falls) Acsys Inc, a maker of panelized building systems for commercial and residential construction, has begun work on its new production facility in Post Falls to manufacture its patented panel system.
The system replaces structural stud wall and non-structural curtain wall assemblies. Demand for the system, combined with energy and transportation costs, motivated the company to establish the new West Coast location.
Acsys recently granted Butler Manufacturing Company of Kansas City, Mo., a non-exclusive license to continue manufacturing the Acsys panel under the Koreteck brand name for non-residential projects. Acsys can now source panels from both the Koretech plant in Virginia and the new Idaho plant, which will be in operation this spring.
More information is at http://www.acsys.com.

Keynetics Spins Off New Subsidiary

(Boise) Kount, a newly-formed subsidiary of Keynetics Inc., has appointed its executive management team. Gearing up for a Jan. 13 release of a highly-sophisticated online fraud detection and prevention tool, Kount now has the following people in place to ensure a successful launch:
Brad Wiskirchen is now Chief Executive Officer of both Kount, Inc. and its parent company, Keynetics, Inc.
Prior to joining the Keynetics team, Wiskirchen was a partner at Holland and Hart LLP in the company’s Boise regional office.
Steven Rouse is Chief Operating Officer responsible for overseeing both Kount Inc. and its parent company, Keynetics Inc. Rouse has been instrumental in the research and design of Kount’s fraud control service and brings perspective from both online and brick-and-mortar retail. While operating Keynetics’ subsidiary, ClickBank, he saw the company grow to become the largest privately held technology company in Idaho.
Chief Scientist Dr. Timothy P. Barber founded Keynetics in 1998. Since its founding, Barber has been instrumental in Keynetics’ expansion as the company has developed several successful electronic commerce companies, including ClickBank.com. In 2000, Barber’s machine fingerprinting technology was sold to First Data Corporation.
Prior to launching Keynetics, Barber spent seven years as part of an elite federal research group selected to solve some of the most difficult computational problems facing U.S. national security. Currently, his primary research interest is automated reasoning. He holds 10 patents and has numerous publications.
Vice President of Sales David Walker is charged with spearheading worldwide sales and marketing for Keynetics, and to help with the introduction of Kount to a national market. Prior to joining Keynetics, Walker spent 15 years with First Data’s TeleCheck business unit in Houston.

Ideas Innovations Idaho License Plates For Sale
(Statewide) Specialty license plates that support Idaho’s science and technology industry are for sale through the Idaho Transportation Department.
A portion of the proceeds from each plate sold goes to a fund that is used to develop programs and market the state’s technology sector.
A picture of the license plate, and information on how to purchase one, can be viewed at technology.idaho.gov/license.

Have an Idea/Submission for this Newsletter?
Contact Julie Howard at the Idaho Department of Commerce’s Office of Science & Technology at (208) 334-2650, ext. 2147, or at [email protected]

Read More Idaho Technology News
Miss last month’s Science & Technology newsletter? Find the complete newsletter archives at technology.idaho.gov and click on "news."

2007 Events Calendar

January 10
Kickstand
Boise
5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Wine Cave of Le Cafe de Paris. Guest speakers are Ryan Woodings, Chris Blanchard and Wyatt Werner on the topic of "Should you outsource?"
For information, go to Kickstand.org.

January 14
Nanotechnology Paper Deadline
Vancouver BC
The deadline for papers for the first nanotechnology symposium designed to attract nanotech researchers, business leaders and government representative from the two provinces and three states (Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) that comprise the Cascadia region. The conference is March 3-5 in Vancouver BC. For information, go to http://www.cns2008.ca.

January 23
Overcome Funding Gap
Teleconference
A live audioconference featuring experts talking about "Overcome the Funding Gap for Early-Stage University IP" will be held 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participation is $197 per site. For details, call 1-239-263-0605.

January 23-24
Idaho Business Expo
Boise
2008 Business Expo features the latest in technology and business. Meet the pros, view displays, attend educational seminars and learn about job openings. More information at http://www.idahobusinessleague.com.

February 2
Discover Engineering
Boise
Annual Engineering Day at Boise State University features activities and presentations for all age levels. More information is at jasonidaho.boisestate.edu.

March 4
Manufacturing & Innovation Conference
Boise
Conference will feature three breakout tracks and keynote speaker Doug Hall, founder of Eureka! Ranch, a center for innovation and research.
Early bird cost is $195. For information, contact Paula at (208) 364-6188 or email [email protected].

For more calendar information, visit Conferences and Events at cl.idaho.gov

"We Create Jobs, Strengthen Communities and Market Idaho."

IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
PO Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0093
Tel: 208-334-2470; Fax: 208-334-2631
Web: technology.idaho.gov
08-62000-250

C.L. "BUTCH" OTTER, GOVERNOR
JIM ELLICK, DIRECTOR

Idaho Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer.
This document is available upon request in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities.
[email protected] • Idaho Department of Commerce

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