Xaar Regulatory News (XAR)

15 Mar 2005 07:00

Xaar PLC15 March 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 15 March 2005 Xaar plc JOINT DEVELOPMENT ON NANO TECHNOLOGY WITH MOLECULAR IMPRINTS Xaar plc ("Xaar"), the inkjet printing technology group headquartered inCambridge, is pleased to announce a Joint Development Agreement with MolecularImprints Inc. ("MII") of Austin, TX, USA. MII, a spinout from the University ofTexas, has developed a unique combination of lithography and 3-dimensionalprinting to pattern nano-scale devices and structures incorporating Xaar'sinkjet technology. The MII technique is based on a Step and Flash Imprint Lithography (S-FILTM)process, and MII holds over 100 patents covering all aspects of the technologyand its implementation. MII has developed a range of equipment using the S-FILprocess in conjunction with Xaar's inkjet printheads and electronics from Xaarsubsidiary, Vivid Print Innovations Inc. This equipment is now being sold tointegrated circuit makers, chip makers and device makers in a wide range ofmarkets including semi-conductor component devices, photonic and opticalstructures, nano fabrication, data storage and advanced packaging. MII sells its equipment direct to end users or via distributors which includeCarl Zeiss SMT, KLA Tencor Corp. and Hakuto. Commenting on the agreement, Nigel Berry, head of business development for Xaar,said; "I am delighted to announce this tie up with MII, a leading innovator inthe use of imprint lithography to radically restructure future productionprocesses in the semiconductor and device market. Not only did the team at MIIdevelop their unique technology, but they went on to raise significant fundingin order to commercialise it, and have now brought an impressive range ofequipment to market. We are pleased they consider Xaar and its technology to bean ideal partner for them and we look forward to working with them toincorporate the next generation of our technology into their developmentprogramme." (www.xaar.co.uk). Commenting from MII, S.V. Sreenivasan, CT0, said: "We are pleased to announcethis agreement with Xaar and Vivid. These two companies are the leaders influid dispense technology and will continue to provide the pioneering workrequired for our nanolithography applications. We look forward to a long andproductive relationship with them." (www.molecularimprints.com). Ends Contacts Xaar plc: 01223-423663Ian Dinwoodie, Chief Executive www.xaar.co.uk Nigel Berry, Group Finance Director & Deputy Chief Executive Bankside Consultants:Steve Liebmann 020-7444-4163 / 07802-888159 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange