Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Singapore-based Tera-Barrier Films receives investment from applied ventures to commercialize moisture-resistant films for plastic electronics

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Abstract:
Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of U.S.-based Applied Materials, Inc., a global leader in nanomanufacturing technology solutions, invests in Tera‑Barrier Films Pte. Ltd., a newly incorporated spin-off from A*STAR's Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)

Singapore-based Tera-Barrier Films receives investment from applied ventures to commercialize moisture-resistant films for plastic electronics

Singapore | Posted on August 24th, 2009

Tera-Barrier Films Pte. Ltd., a new spin-off from the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research's (A*STAR) Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), today announced that Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, Inc. has made a strategic investment in the company. The funds will be used for the development and manufacture of a new proprietary, moisture resistant film that can significantly extend the life span of devices such as organic solar cells and flexible displays.

Tera-Barrier Films was founded by two A*STAR IMRE's researchers, Dr. Mark Auch and Mr. Senthil Ramadas, who will serve as the company's CEO and CTO, respectively. The ultrahigh barrier film technology was successfully developed at IMRE and the barrier properties were validated by solar and flexible display manufacturers. Tera‑Barrier is still closely linked to IMRE as it operates under a laboratory-in-a-research institute scheme, allowing research continuity and the uninterrupted development of the films.

The new film protects the easily degraded moisture-sensitive organic materials of plastic devices and targets the burgeoning plastic electronics industry. Applications of the film include the manufacturing of flexible, lightweight and cheap electronics such as disposable or wrap-around displays, identification tags, low cost solar cells and chemical- and pressure-sensitive sensors.

"This investment is in line with Applied Materials' strategy to spur development of a broad range of products that not only serve customers' needs, but conserve the Earth's natural resources, and make alternative energy and environmental solutions more accessible and affordable," said J. Christopher Moran, vice president and general manager of Applied Ventures. "We are pleased that our investment in Tera-Barrier will be used to support the commercialization of this breakthrough technology to enable a new generation of advanced devices."

Tera-Barrier Films is a portfolio company of Exploit Technologies Pte. Ltd., the marketing and commercialization arm of A*STAR. Tera-Barrier has signed a license agreement with Exploit Technologies to obtain the rights to develop and market products using the breakthrough flexible substrate technology.

Mr. Boon Swan Foo, Executive Chairman of Exploit Technologies said, "We are encouraged to have attracted such interest from Applied Materials, a global leader in the field of nanomanufacturing technology solutions. This is a strong endorsement of A*STAR IMRE's technology and of Tera-Barrier Films's long term development and marketing plans; especially so in the current economic climate, where corporate investments have slowed down significantly. We believe this investment will move Tera-Barrier Films in the right market direction.

"Just as we have taken an active role since flexible film's early days to shape the business plan, raise funds and eventually start the company, we are looking forward to working with Applied Materials in continuing our efforts to grow the company. Exploit Technologies hopes to collaborate with more such committed industry players to bring a robust pipeline of A*STAR's technologies to market like flexible substrates, and support promising start-ups like Tera-Barrier Films."

"The investment by Applied Ventures enables Tera-Barrier to move forward with commercialization plans into the flexible solar cells and printed electronics market", comments Dr. Mark Auch, CEO of Tera-Barrier Films. "Tera-Barrier Films is in the process of securing product qualification and sample orders and has strong subcontract partnerships in place for scalable production of high performance barrier films. We are excited to be able to bring to market a key enabling product that could help promote faster growth in our target markets."

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About Applied Ventures, LLC
Applied Ventures, LLC (www.appliedventures.com), a subsidiary of Applied Materials, Inc. invests in early stage technology companies with high growth potential that provide a window on technologies that advance or complement Applied Materials’ core expertise. Applied Ventures’ investments help develop technologies and markets that provide natural extensions of Applied Materials’ businesses and can stimulate the growth of applications for its products and services. Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT) is the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology™ solutions with a broad portfolio of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass (www.appliedmaterials.com).
About Tera-Barrier Films Pte. Ltd.

TERA-BARRIER FILMS is jointly founded by Senthil Ramadas and Mark Auch along with ETPL. TBF is a spin-off company from the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering/A*STAR The strong patent portfolio (29 patents) on transparent gas barrier technology, encapsulation and gas permeation measurement system has been transferred to the company. The technology know-how and expertise could provide a total barrier solution for flexible solar cell and flexible electronics device manufacturers. Tera-Barrier is working in nexus with solar, display and printed electronics customers and has received several product validation reports.

About Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd

Exploit Technologies is the strategic marketing and commercialisation arm of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Its mission is to support A*STAR in transforming the economy through commercialising R&D. Exploit Technologies enhances the research output of A*STAR scientists by translating their inventions into marketable products or processes. Through licensing deals and spinoffs with industry partners, Exploit Technologies is a key driver of technology transfer in Singapore. It actively engages industry leaders and players to commercialise A*STAR's technologies and capabilities, bridging the gap from Mind to Market. Exploit Technologies’ charter is to identify, protect and exploit promising intellectual property (IP) created by A*STAR’s research institutes.

For more information, please visit www.exploit-tech.com.

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Contacts:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Seeto Wei Peng
Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (A member of A*STAR)
Corporate Marketing and Communications
DID: (65) 6478 8443
Mobile: (65) 8375 9474

Dr. Mark Dai Joong Auch
TERA-BARRIER FILMS PTE. LTD.
DID: (65) 65920576
Mobile: (65) 83115332

Applied Materials, Inc.
Betty Newboe (media)
Tel: 408.563.0647

Michael Sullivan (financial community)
Tel: 408.986.7977