Suntech Updates Semiconductor Finger Technology

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, announced the commercial adoption of its latest 18% “semiconductor finger” conversion efficiency technology is proceeding on schedule starting in the fourth quarter of 2006 and that the performance of this technology with respect to lower-grade and poor quality silicon wafers has exceeded the company’s expectations. ‘We are very pleased with our semiconductor finger technology which has increased the average conversion efficiencies of our best monocrystalline PV cells to 18% — well above the industry average of 14% to 15%. At the same time, we have maintained the lowest cost production base relative to our peers,’ said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s chairman and CEO. The company’s semiconductor finger technology, which is co-developed and owned with the University of New South Wales in Australia, overcomes the major limitation of the traditional screen printing process that is the industry standard. Heavily doped semiconductor strips are built into the PV cell surface which more efficiently collects the generated electrical charge without requiring the surface dead layer found in conventional screen printed cells. The technology also potentially enables the company to reduce the number of traditional lines of metal […]

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Phoenix Motorcars Takes First Electric SUV Orders

Phoenix Motorcars announced the receipt of 75 fleet orders from several municipalities and an utility company for its new zero-emission, all-electric, sport utility truck. The company says it is on target to manufacture and sell 500 fleet-ready vehicles by year’s end, and will produce 16 pilot-build vehicles next month. Some of the 16 vehicles will be used to continue validation of the federally mandated safety test process. The company is working with Boshart Engineering, an Ontario, California company that specializes in vehicle certification services, to gain its Federal Motor Vehicle Certification. “Boshart has already made substantial progress towards certifying Phoenix’s vehicles,” said Dan Elliott, CEO of Phoenix Motorcars. “Boshart has kept to a very aggressive timetable.” The company also confirmed that in consideration for a three-year exclusivity agreement within the U.S., Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALTI), a leading supplier of nanomaterials and high-power battery systems technology, received a 16.6% ownership in the company. The three-year exclusivity agreement provides Phoenix with limited, exclusive use of Altairnano’s NanoSafe(TM) battery packs in four-wheel, all-electric vehicles having a gross weight up to 6,000 pounds. Phoenix must meet minimum battery pack purchases, annually, to maintain the limited exclusivity agreement. The minimum commitment to maintain exclusivity for […]

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Quantum to Supply Aerospace Hydrogen, Oxygen Storage Systems

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) has been awarded a follow-on contract by Lockheed Martin to supply hydrogen and oxygen fuel storage tanks for a regenerative power supply system to be used in a stratospheric airship application. This award is due to the successful performance in a previous award from Lockheed Martin. Using its expertise in ultra-lightweight all-composite gaseous fuel storage, Quantum developed unique compressed gas storage systems for oxygen and hydrogen with higher system weight efficiency than has been demonstrated in the past. The storage systems have been designed and tested to withstand an extreme range of conditions from sea level to high altitude. About Quantum Quantum and its subsidiary, Tecstar Automotive Group, are leaders in powertrain engineering, system integration and manufacturing of packaged fuel systems and accessories for specialty vehicles and applications including fuel cells, hybrids, alternative fuels, hydrogen refueling, new body styles, mid-cycle vehicle product enhancements and high performance engines and drive trains for OEMs and consumers of aftermarket parts and accessories. Quantum also designs and manufactures hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. Quantum has product commercialization alliances with General Motors, AM General, Sumitomo and IMPCO. Quantum’s customer base includes General Motors, Toyota, Opel, Hyundai, Suzuki, […]

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International Power Group Raises $2.3M

International Power Group, Ltd. (OTCPK: IPWG), an emerging waste-to-energy company, announced it raised $2.3 million from an undisclosed New York-based venture capital firm. CEO Peter Toscano said, “International Power Group views this new equity investment in our company, by a visionary fund that focuses its investments in promising technologies, as a significant vote of confidence in our business plan to provide alternative energy solutions by constructing our waste-to-energy and AddPowerTM technologies in key locations worldwide.” The company plans to provide turnkey solutions for waste disposal and electricity and potable water production. It intends to establish waste-to-energy facilities to convert commercial, hazardous, organic and toxic wastes into saleable electricity and potable water.

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US Senator Proposes Tougher Mercury Requirements

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