POET Technologies Inc., a developer of opto-electronics fabrication processes for the semiconductor industry, announced a research and development initiative for future generations of smart pixels and other applications in association with the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), a part of the Singapore-based Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
The 18-month project, jointly funded by POET and IMRE, is designed in part to adapt the POET platform to potential applications in smart pixel technology for the burgeoning Augmented Reality market.
Additional aspects of the initiative include enhancing POET’s GaAs process technology platform, as well as the research and development of novel gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial growth technologies to potentially support integrated opto-electronic light engines for the smart lighting market.
With this initiative, POET expects to expand its IP portfolio and Roadmap, and enrich its III-V applications suite. POET will have joint ownership of any developed Intellectual Property (“IP”) with IMRE, with a right of first refusal related to exclusive rights to any developed IP.
“We are gratified to be partnering with an esteemed global leader like IMRE in advancing our disruptive and enabling process technology,” said POET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Suresh Venkatesan. “The unique aspect of the POET process platform is its versatility in supporting multiple applications. This joint initiative is also significant as a great stride toward developing alternate applications and developing the POET Roadmap beyond the inaugural addressable market of Data Communications.”
In internal developments, Michel Lafrance, corporate secretary, will be retiring this month. John O’Donnell, currently a member of the board of directors and chief legal counsel of the Company, will additionally take over Michel’s function as corporate secretary. The company thanks Michel for his years of dedicated service to this Company and wishes him and his family the best.
Additionally, POET chief operating officer Dr. Subhash Deshmukh has been granted 250,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company. The options may be exercised at a price of $0.96 per share and expire 10 years from the effective date of issuance. The option terms were determined based on current market price in accordance with the TSX venture exchange policies and the company’s stock option plan. The options will vest over four years with the first options vesting in one year.
About A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
The Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) is a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The Institute has capabilities in materials analysis & characterization, design & growth, patterning & fabrication, and synthesis & integration. IMRE houses a range of state-of-the-art equipment for materials research including development, processing and characterization. IMRE conducts a wide range of research, which includes novel materials for organic solar cells, photo-voltaics, printed electronics, catalysis, bio-medics, microfluidics, quantum dots, heterostructures, sustainable materials, atom technology, etc. IMRE collaborates actively with other research institutes, universities, public bodies, and a wide spectrum of industrial companies, both globally and locally. For more information about IMRE, please visit http://www.imre.a-star.edu.sg.
About POET Technologies Inc.
POET is a developer of opto-electronics and Photonic fabrication processes and products. Photonics integration is fundamental to increasing functional scaling and lowering the cost of current Photonic solutions. POET believes that its advanced opto-electronics process platform enables substantial improvements in energy efficiency, component cost and size in the production of smart optical components, the engines driving applications ranging from data centers to consumer products to military applications. Silicon Valley-based POET’s patented module-on-a-chip process, which integrates digital, high-speed analog and optical devices on the same chip, is designed to serve as an industry standard for smart optical components. More information may be obtained at www.poet-technologies.com.