Source: Konarka Provider: SustainableBusiness.com News
Konarkas Sole Sub-License to Hybrid Technology Provides Strong Advantage in Commercializing Next Generation Photovoltaics
Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in developing and manufacturing breakthrough products that convert light to energy, has licensed certain intellectual property from DuPont Electronic & Communication Technologies to compliment Konarkas ongoing organic photovoltaic program. The acquisition of this asset furthers Konarkas leadership position in developing third generation photovoltaic technology and bringing to market products based on this technology.
In addition to gaining access to certain technology developed by DuPont, the license also gives Konarka access to certain intellectual property originally developed by the University of California. This latter intellectual property portfolio includes work developed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Alan Heeger, Chief Scientist, co-founder and Director of Konarka, as well as work from Dr. Serdar Sariciftci, Senior Scientific Advisor to Konarka.
This significant licensing agreement broadens Konarkas technology platform and uniquely positions the Company to take advantage of nanotechnology developments in both dye-sensitized cells and polymer cells, said Howard Berke, Chairman, Konarka Technologies. Hybrid cells offer the best of both worlds. Gaining access to intellectual property about hybrid cells further enables Konarka to deliver on its vision of bringing flexible, lightweight, low cost photovoltaic products to market.
The agreement grants Konarka a limited sole license in a specific field of use and related to certain types of hybrid photovoltaic cells. According to Dr. Bill Beckenbaugh, of Konarka Technologies, Hybrid cells are the intersection of dye-sensitized cells, developed by Dr. Michael Grtzel and polymer cells, developed by Dr. Alan Heeger. Konarka was the first company in the Americas to be granted licensee rights to dye-sensitized solar cell technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). Dr. Beckenbaugh added, Konarka now has a clear path to commercialization of hybrid, as well as all-polymer photovoltaic cells. This gives Konarka the advantage of mass producing higher efficiency, environment-friendly cells at even lower costs.
We look forward to expanding our relationship with DuPont as a supply chain partner and technology partner, said Daniel Patrick McGahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Konarka.
DuPont is a science company, and we are very pleased to be a part of enabling the advancement of photovoltaic technology through this agreement with Konarka, said E. James Prendergast, Vice President and Chief Technology Office, DuPont Electronic & Communication Technologies.
About Konarka Technologies, Inc. Konarka builds products that convert light to energy – anywhere. Konarka is the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic products that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications. Konarkas photovoltaic nanotechnology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Konarka has a broad portfolio of patents, technology licenses and a technical team that includes Nobel Laureate Professor Alan Heeger (UC Santa Barbara) and Dr. Michael Grtzel (Ecole Polytechnic Fdrale de Lausanne). Konarka is funded by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Zero Stage Capital, Ardesta LLC, NGEN, ChevronTexaco (NYSE: CVX) and Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN). Konarka Technologies is headquartered in Lowell, MA, U.S.A. and has subsidiaries in Linz, Austria and Zug, Switzerland.
About DuPont DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make peoples lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
CONTACT: Joe Romano, HighGround, 781-279-1320 x 208
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