| From: David C. Burns | 9/7/2010 12:14:53 PM | | | | | | Corning's Specialty Glass Combined with Oerlikon Solar's Micromorph(R) Technology Delivers Silicon-Tandem Solar Cell with 11.9 Percent Efficiency
CORNING, N.Y., September 7, 2010 — Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) and Oerlikon Solar (SIX: OERL) announced today that they have achieved a record-breaking 11.9 percent stabilized conversion efficiency in a silicon-tandem, research-size photovoltaic cell. Results were confirmed by the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Based on the unique combination of Oerlikon Solar’s world leading Micromorph® technology and Corning’s thin specialty glass, the resulting solar cell’s energy conversion efficiency exceeds the current 11.7 percent industry record, set in 2004, and was achieved without the use of antireflective coating.
Increasing conversion efficiency, or the rate at which sunlight energy is converted into electric current, is a key industry challenge. This milestone for Micromorph® tandem technology is particularly significant in the advancement of thin-film photovoltaics, a rapidly progressing segment of the fast-growing solar energy industry.
The newly developed photovoltaics research cell combines the advanced light-trapping capabilities of Corning’s specialty glass and Oerlikon Solar’s proprietary Micromorph® technology, utilizing a zinc oxide low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) front contact.
“The 11.9 percent efficiency achievement is an important step forward in thin-film innovation for our customers,” said Dr. Jurg Henz, chief executive officer, Oerlikon Solar. “We look forward to continued work with Corning on a roadmap to advance this technology to cell efficiencies of 12 percent and beyond.”
“We are thrilled with the milestone reached through this very strong collaboration between Oerlikon Solar and Corning,” noted Dr. Gary Calabrese, vice-president, Science and Technology and director, Corning Photovoltaic Glass Technologies. “More importantly, we are strongly encouraged by the great opportunities that these advancements make possible for the photovoltaics industry as the combined efforts of these two companies move forward to achieve even higher efficiencies with silicon tandem.”
More information and research details will be presented by Dr. Julien Bailat of Oerlikon Solar at the 25th Annual European Photovoltaics Solar Energy Conference (PVSEC) and the 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WPEC-5) in Valencia Spain on Sept. 7. A presentation on the topic of photovoltaics glass reliability will also be presented by Dr. James Webb of Corning Incorporated at the same conference on Sept. 8. |
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| From: i-node | 1/11/2011 10:41:37 AM | | | | | | Corning is making its Consumer Electronics Show (CES) debut this year. And though it's a newcomer, it's one of the most talked about and prevalent companies at the convention.
This year, the CES is focused largely on touch-screen tablets and smart phones, and Corning makes the material—called Gorilla Glass—that encases nearly all these devices.
Gorilla Glass is used in 150 different products on the market today—phones, tablets and laptop screens. Over 200 million devices with Gorilla Glass have sold and after just three years on the market it has 20 percent of the phone market.
Corning doesn't talk about who its customers are, but Apple [AAPL 342.52 0.065 (+0.02%) ] is clearly one of its largest—it uses the glass for its iPhone and iPad. What makes it so useful for touch screens? It's twice as strong and half as thick as competitors' glass. Corning's been demonstrating the durability to CES attendees by encouraging them to scratch it with a key or break it with a metal barit hardly smudges.
In an interview CEO Wendell Weeks tells CNBC that Gorilla Glass is the most exciting growth opportunity in Corning's 150-year history. Last year the product had a $400 million run rate, it's profitable and its growth rate has been doubling annually for the past couple years.
But now, Gorilla Glass is poised to grow even faster. Corning says the market for this type of glass—called cover glass—should quadruple this year.
Gartner projects tablet sales will triple to 60 million in 2011 and smartphones—with Gorilla Glass touch screens—are expected to continue to explode. And now, Gorilla Glass is moving into a new market, which requires bigger pieces of its glass. Here at CES Sony announced that it is featuring Gorilla Glass in its new Bravia TVs.
Corning is making a big effort to establish itself as a key part of consumer devices. In addition to a big booth at CES, where Corning is doing demos and taking meetings with a range of potential new partners, the company is launching a print and online ad campaign for the Gorilla Glass brand.
Weeks says the potential for Gorilla Glass is endless. The company is now molding the glass into shapes, so it could be used in cars. Since the glass so much lighter than traditional glass that lends itself to battery-powered "green" vehicles.
And the company is already experimenting with putting the glass on refrigerators and using it as an architectural material. And now Corning is working on the second generation of the glass, which is even stronger and more flexible, which should open the door to more potential products.
Corning made a name for itself as a brand for cookware products—products it no longer makes—but now it's well on its way to building another kind of consumer brand recognition for Corning yet again. |
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| To: JakeStraw who wrote (2208) | 2/10/2011 4:45:12 PM | | From: i-node | | | | >> Corning: Best Bet on Tablet Revolution?
I have been selling calls against my shares for some time now; for the first time, I had to buy some back last month. That has to be a good sign.
I may have to re-think that strategy -- if I can get through the next expiration with the stock staying under 23... |
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