Oxford Instruments, a leading provider of advanced plasma processing solutions, today announced a plasma equipment supply agreement with Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI) (Nasdaq: AAOI), a leading provider of advanced optical and hybrid fibre-coaxial networking products that power the internet, for several etch and deposition cluster systems at their facility in Sugar Land, Texas.

The agreement will support AOI’s transformative expansion and technological advancements in indium phosphide (InP) for optoelectronic device manufacturing, as the company rapidly scales to increase production capacity within the U.S.

As AOI undergoes a significant growth phase, the company is upgrading its production capabilities to meet increasing demand for high-performance InP optoelectronic devices. Oxford Instruments’ advanced plasma etch and deposition processing systems will play a key role in this transformation by supporting AOI with fully automated 3-4-6-inch capable production systems for InP processes.

“AOI is expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity in Texas to support demand for our optical transceivers in AI datacentres, and key suppliers like Oxford Instruments will help us continue to upgrade our fully automated production line,” said Fred Chang, Senior Vice President and North American General Manager at AOI. “With our combined technology, we can speed the processing of multiple wafer sizes, ranging from 3 to 6 inches, while improving overall quality and reducing costs.”

“AOI has been a valued long-term partner, and we are thrilled to have earned their trust as the chosen supplier for their production expansion and technology upgrades. Our unique high-temperature Electrostatic Chuck (ESC) design, which enables advanced processing capabilities, was a key factor in their decision. AOI also conducted an extensive vendor qualification process, including a visit to our brand-new purpose-built manufacturing facility in Bristol, UK, where we received high praise for our technology and production capabilities,” said Emiel Thijssen, Vice President of Sales and Business Development USA, Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology. “We are also investing significantly to ensure we continue to deliver world-class service capability in the Texas region, focusing on the availability of spares and expanding our field service and process engineering teams, to support the rapid expansion of leading manufacturers in the region such as AOI.”

###

 
For media enquiries, please contact:
Grant Baldwin, Head of Marketing
Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology
E: [email protected]
About Oxford Instruments plc
Oxford Instruments provides academic and commercial organisations worldwide with market-leading scientific technology and expertise across its key market segments: Materials Analysis, Healthcare & Life Science and Semiconductors. Innovation is the driving force behind Oxford Instruments' growth and success, supporting its core purpose to accelerate the breakthroughs that create a brighter future for our world. The vigorous search for new ways to make our world greener, healthier and more productive is driving unprecedented levels of R&D investment in new materials and techniques to support productivity and decarbonisation worldwide, creating a significant opportunity for Oxford Instruments to grow.

Oxford Instruments holds a unique position to anticipate global drivers and connect academic researchers with commercial applications engineers, acting as a catalyst that powers real world progress. Founded in 1959 as the first technology business to be spun out from Oxford University, Oxford Instruments is now a global company listed on the FTSE250 index of the London Stock Exchange (OXIG).

For more information, visit www.oxinst.com

About AOI 
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical and HFC networking products that are the building blocks for AI datacentres, CATV and broadband fibre access networks around the world. AOI supplies this critical infrastructure to tier-one customers across cloud computing, CATV broadband, telecom, and FTTH markets. The company has R&D facilities in Atlanta, GA, and engineering and manufacturing facilities at its corporate headquarters in Sugar Land, TX, as well as in Taipei, Taiwan and Ningbo, China. For additional information, visit www.ao-inc.com. 

• Read more about OXFORD INSTRUMENTS TEAMS WITH AOI TO BOOST ITS OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE MANUFACTURING WITH NEXT-GEN INDIUM PHOSPHIDE

Advancing Thermal Scanning Probe Lithography

Zurich, Switzerland — Following the successful introduction of the modular NanoFrazor nanolithography system in 2024, Heidelberg Instruments is proud to announce the installation of the newest NanoFrazor. The system is equipped with the recent modules, enabling parallelized thermal scanning probe lithography (t-SPL). The beta site is hosted by the research partner EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland. The installation marks a significant step forward in joint efforts to bring next-generation nanofabrication technologies into practice, promising advances in nanoscale research and applications.

Designed for high-resolution lithography down to 20 nm, with application flexibility and increased throughput, the system features parallelized t-SPL with ten heated tips writing simultaneously, Direct Laser Sublimation (DLS), and advanced automation. “Parallelizing t-SPL was the logical next step in advancing thermal nanolithography. The implementation, however, was far from trivial.” states Dr. Emine Cagin, CTO of Heidelberg Instruments Nano AG. “Parallelization required a decade of development, culminating in a new and scalable framework for electronics and software that now powers the new NanoFrazor.”

The new module, named the Decapede, increases the throughput up to tenfold, without compromising on high-resolution capabilities. “With improved throughput, we are considering upscaling grayscale nano surfaces that enable deterministic and localized strain engineering of 2D materials from chip-level to wafer-scale for potential industrial integration”, says Berke Erbas, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Microsystems Laboratory at EPFL. “We also aim to upscale grayscale nanoimprint lithography stamps fabricated through t-SPL and dry-etching approaches.”

EPFL — A Hub for Innovation
EPFL’s expertise in t-SPL and broad nanofabrication capabilities make it an ideal beta site and mark the continuation of a long-standing, trusted partnership with Heidelberg Instruments. The consortium of research groups involved brings together a combination of deep knowledge in t-SPL and diverse nanofabrication techniques, along with fresh ideas and challenging applications. The generous commitment to providing continuous feedback will help Heidelberg Instruments further validate the system performance and refine user interfaces.

From Nanoelectronics to Quantum Devices, a Look Ahead
The EPFL beta site is not only a testing and validation site for the system’s capabilities but first and foremost a catalyst for innovation in nanolithography. Applications at the EPFL beta site span nanoelectronics, plasmonics, quantum devices, and bio-nano-sensors. Jürgen Brugger, Professor in Microengineering and Materials Science at EPFL, highlights: “t-SPL has proven to be an excellent tool for educating junior researchers due to its capabilities for fast prototyping with a low threshold to create nano-patterns in short time scales. We are excited to expand towards parallel writing capabilities.” For example, the Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technologies (LNET), Professor Giulia Tagliabue, is exploring the use of its gray-scale functionalities for realizing advanced metasurfaces that can strongly confine light at nanoscale dimensions for energy conversion and probing of interfacial processes.

We are looking forward to seeing how the beta site will accelerate discoveries and enable new possibilities in nanoscale science, both in research and educational use of the NanoFrazor system.

Further information: https://heidelberg-instruments.com/product/nanofrazor/

• Read more about Heidelberg Instruments — Beta Site Installation of NanoFrazor with Parallelization Capabilities at EPFL

High-tech systems developer Demcon has established a local presence in North America by opening a new office in San Jose, California. The Dutch contract engineering company brings decades of expertise and know-how in hardware research, design and development to the heart of Silicon Valley, where software and AI are the main focus areas.

Hardware-centric development and engineering

The brand-new office will function as a local point of contact for US customers, delivering direct project management and system architecting support. The full Demcon engineering power in the Netherlands is available for early-phase concept development, engineering, prototyping and testing, with manufacturing as an optional service. Demcon has over 30 years of experience in systems engineering for high-tech solutions, in amongst others semiconductors, photonics and quantum technology.

Demcon’s capabilities range from fundamental and essential domains such as mechanics, mechatronics, software and electronics, to crucial additional competences in multiphysics simulation, thermal management, optics & vision, and data science & AI. "With our extensive group of engineers and specialists, we have the critical mass necessary to uphold an extremely high level in all these domains", says Amir Bar, general manager at Demcon USA. "For every customer project and every challenge they bring, we pick and choose the best possible team to find the optimal solution for our customers."

As a decades-long engineering professional in the American semiconductor industry, with leading roles at Applied Materials and KLA Tencor, Bar knows firsthand what Demcon has to offer: "With the focus on software and AI, there is a shortage in hardware engineers in the US. The Netherlands, home to some of the world’s leading hardware-centric semiconductor companies, have a much stronger base in that area. Through Demcon’s US office, American customers can tap into that potential."

Expanding horizons in the American market
For Demcon, the expansion in North America is very much a strategic decision. The company is already active in the US market for 20 years. "But we see ample room for growth", says Eric Slakhorst, Vice President Demcon high-tech systems. "The country is home to many potential large customers that prefer to keep their research and development close by. Often, they are challenged by time-to-market demands and capacity constraints. We set ourselves apart by offering the possibility to outsource part of their R&D, without the obligation to give away IP, and by our fast development cycle, from feasibility study to functional prototype in 12-15 months."

As our engineers are deeply embedded in the research process with our customers, proximity is key. "To ensure an optimal result, we need to be close, as regular face-to-face interaction is vital," says Slakhorst. "That’s why we are building an engineering hub in the US to support local partners with project management and system architecting. Detailed engineering can take place in the Netherlands."

• Read more about Demcon high-tech systems extends US presence with local office

Lansdale, PA – Greene Tweed, a global leader in advanced materials and high-performance solutions, is supporting customers who have ambitions to transition away from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with a robust portfolio of high-performance materials for critical applications. This expanding portfolio reinforces Greene Tweed’s commitment to its role as a material innovator and trusted partner in helping customers navigate the use of PFAS-free products.

As companies look to reduce PFAS throughout their operations, Greene Tweed's extensive portfolio of PFAS-free and/or non-fluorosurfactant (NFS) polymer-based products, including elastomers, thermoplastics, and composites, delivers exceptional performance and reliability. Key product lines such as Arlon®, Xycomp DLF®, Orthtek®, WR®, Fusion®, and Seal Connect® are designed to support challenging applications across industries ranging from aerospace and energy to semiconductor manufacturing.

"With the fluoropolymer industry at a critical juncture, we are seeing the demand for PFAS-free products grow significantly,” said Bret Neese, PhD, Director of Advanced Technology at Greene Tweed. "Our role is clear: Greene Tweed is an innovative solutions provider and collaborative partner for customers navigating this complex transition. By using PFAS-free and NFS polymers in our products, where possible, we’re helping our customers meet their PFAS reduction goals.”

Greene Tweed takes a holistic approach to PFAS-free innovation, grounded in regulatory readiness, supplier collaboration and diversification, and industry education. The company collaborates with customers to design surfactant-free and NFS polymer-based engineered solutions that offer exceptional durability, chemical resistance, and performance in extreme conditions. Its forward-looking technical roadmap ensures customers can use PFAS-free and/or NFS solutions without sacrificing quality or performance.

To further support customers, Greene Tweed is hosting a webinar, Innovating Beyond PFAS: High-Performance Solutions in the Evolving Fluoropolymers Landscape, on March 5, 2026. The presentation will provide insights into how the company is tackling PFAS changes through supplier collaboration, product diversification, and portfolio innovation.

For over 160 years, Greene Tweed has built a legacy of delivering high-performance solutions that empower customers to thrive in the most challenging environments. The introduction of its PFAS-free portfolio is another step forward in its mission to drive innovation for a better tomorrow. For a full list of Greene Tweed’s PFAS-free solutions, please visit the PFAS-Free Portfolio.

About Greene Tweed
Greene Tweed is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastics, composites, seals, and engineered components. For 160 years, we have served clients in semiconductor, oil and gas, aerospace, defense, chemical and pharmaceutical processing, and other industries where failure is not an option. Greene Tweed products are sold and distributed worldwide. For additional information, call +1.215.256.9521, or visit our website at https://www.gtweed.com.

Media Contact
Sofia Doss
Communications & Public Relations Manager
Greene Tweed
[email protected]

Priya Sharma
Senior Account Manager
BCM Public Relations Ltd.
+44 (0) 20 3965 7415
[email protected]

• Read more about Greene Tweed Highlights Dedicated PFAS-Free Product Portfolio for the Evolving Fluoropolymers Landscape

SEMI Member Companies Will Have Priority Access and Support for Apprenticeship Programs

MILPITAS, Calif. — January 20, 2026 — The SEMI Foundation today announced it has been officially approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) as a National Apprenticeship Sponsor. This is a major milestone that strengthens industry led workforce development and expands access to high quality earn and learn pathways across the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem.

This designation aligns with the Administration’s broader America’s talent and workforce strategy, which emphasizes registered apprenticeships as a critical tool for building a resilient, competitive, and skilled workforce in strategic industries. As a national sponsor, the SEMI Foundation will work directly with employers to design, register, and scale apprenticeship programs that meet evolving industry needs while providing workers with clear, high value career pathways.

“Apprenticeships are a proven way to connect talent to opportunity while meeting real employer demand,” said Michelle Williams, Executive Director of the SEMI Foundation. “Becoming a national apprenticeship sponsor allows us to move faster, scale smarter, and support companies across the semiconductor supply chain as they build the workforce they need to compete globally.”

A Strategic Advantage for SEMI Member Companies

The SEMI Foundation is the nonprofit arm of SEMI, the industry association serving the global semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. As part of the Foundation’s new role, SEMI member companies will receive priority access to apprenticeship sponsorship, technical assistance, and program development support. Over time, the Foundation will expand access to additional employers across the ecosystem, ensuring alignment, quality, and consistency at scale.

Through the national sponsorship model, the SEMI Foundation will:

• Reduce administrative and regulatory barriers for employers launching apprenticeships

• Support standardized, industry aligned apprenticeship frameworks

• Enable faster deployment across multiple states and regions

• Ensure programs meet federal quality standards while remaining employer driven

Connecting Apprenticeship to a National Workforce Strategy

The SEMI Foundation’s apprenticeship sponsorship will be closely coordinated with the National Network for Microelectronics Education NNME, a national initiative funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and operated by the Foundation to strengthen semiconductor education and workforce development through regional collaboration.

Through NNME Regional Nodes, apprenticeship programs will be aligned with local and regional employer demand, education and training providers, workforce boards, and economic development organizations. This integrated approach ensures apprenticeships are not standalone programs, but part of a connected, scalable national talent system that supports students, workers, and employers at every stage.

“Registered apprenticeships are a cornerstone of a modern workforce system,” said Mike Glavin, Director of Workforce Development at the SEMI Foundation. “By embedding apprenticeships into our national and regional strategies, we’re creating pathways that are both locally responsive and nationally aligned.”

What’s Next

The SEMI Foundation will host a series of informational webinars and peer to peer employer conversations in the coming months to help companies understand how to participate, design programs, and leverage apprenticeship as a long term workforce solution. Additional details, including program eligibility, timelines, and engagement opportunities, will be announced soon.

About the SEMI Foundation

The SEMI Foundation’s mission is to support economic opportunity for workers and the sustained growth of the microelectronics industry through creating pathways and opportunities for job seekers and tools and systems for semiconductor companies to attract, develop, retain, and advance a diverse and skilled workforce. Visit the SEMI Foundation online to learn more, and follow the SEMI Foundation on LinkedIn.

About SEMI

SEMI is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through advocacy, workforce development, sustainability, supply chain management, and other programs. Our SEMICON expositions and events, technology communities, standards, and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services, and software, enabling smarter, faster, and more secure electronics. Visit semi.huihuidehui.workers.dev, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.

• Read more about SEMI Foundation Approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as a National Apprenticeship Sponsor to Expand Semiconductor Workforce Pathways

Ball Wave Inc., a pioneer in advanced chemical sensing technology, today announced that its FT-450WT online trace moisture analyzer has received full certification from Taiwan's most advanced semiconductor manufacturer following rigorous validation testing. This milestone validates Ball Wave's proprietary ball SAW sensor technology and establishes the company as a strategic supplier in the critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment sector. The certification comes at a pivotal time as semiconductor manufacturers worldwide face increasing pressure to improve yield rates and reduce contamination in advanced node production. Ball Wave's technology addresses a critical pain point in fab operations, where even parts-per-billion levels of moisture can compromise chip quality and manufacturing efficiency. The successful certification demonstrates the analyzer's reliability in the most demanding production environments and opens significant commercial opportunities for specialty gas manufacturers who are the key players plagued with trace moisture contamination. 

Ball Wave President Shingo Akao stated, "This certification validates our core technology platform and demonstrates our ability to meet the stringent requirements of the world's most sophisticated semiconductor fabs to help them avoid unplanned shutdowns due to trace moisture contamination. Ball Wave's patented ball SAW sensor represents a fundamental breakthrough in trace moisture detection, offering speed and precision unmatched by legacy technologies. With proven performance in production environments and a robust IP portfolio, we are well-positioned to capture significant market share in the rapidly growing semiconductor manufacturing equipment sector, which is projected to exceed $156 billion by 2027¹."

Business Impact: For advanced semiconductor fabs operating at 3nm and below, moisture contamination can cost $5-10 million per incident² in scrapped wafers and production delays. Industry data shows that facilities with inadequate moisture monitoring experience maintenance ratios below 1.0, where unplanned repairs consume over 50% of total downtime. Ball Wave's real-time detection capability enables preventive action before contamination reaches critical levels, helping customers avoid these costly failures and maintain the operational stability (M-ratio >4.0) essential for profitable advanced node production. This value proposition has resonated strongly with leading fabs, creating a clear path to rapid customer adoption.

About the FT-450WT and Ball Wave's Technology Platform: The FalconTrace ultra-trace moisture meter uses a proprietary ball SAW sensor to quantitatively measure the trace amounts of water molecules contained in industrial gases and natural gases. Its extremely fast response time allows for real-time monitoring of changes in moisture content, and it is also capable of measuring both moisture content and background gas composition. It can accurately measure moisture concentrations in gases down to the 1 ppbv (parts per billion) level, representing 10-100x improvement over competing technologies. The FT-450WT is a high-end model that maintains its fast response time while prioritizing integration into equipment, and the separation of the sensor unit and main body allows for greater layout flexibility in fab retrofits and new tool installations. 

Ball Wave's technology platform extends beyond moisture analysis to a broader range of chemical sensing applications, creating multiple revenue streams and cross-selling opportunities within semiconductor fabs and adjacent industries, including pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and industrial gases. 

Market Opportunity and Strategic Position: Ball Wave has established relationships with leading semiconductor manufacturers in Taiwan, with active discussions underway in South Korea, Japan, and the United States 

• The company's technology addresses a growing market as advanced node production (5nm and below) requires increasingly stringent contamination control
• Ball Wave holds key patents in ball SAW sensor technology with additional applications pending in major semiconductor manufacturing regions
• The company's university origins provide access to cutting-edge MEMS research and ongoing innovation pipeline

About Ball Wave Inc.: Ball Wave Inc. is a technology company specializing in advanced chemical sensing solutions for critical industrial applications. Founded as a spin-out from Tohoku University, a global center of excellence in MEMS technology, Ball Wave leverages proprietary ball SAW sensor technology to deliver breakthrough performance in trace contamination detection. The company serves semiconductor manufacturers, industrial gas suppliers, and other industries requiring ultra-precise gas analysis. Ball Wave is headquartered in Sendai, Japan.

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact: Ball Wave Inc., Corporate Strategy Division, Yusuke Tsukahara 

[email protected] 

Telephone: +81-3-5979-2357 

https://www.ballwave.jp/ 

1. https://semi.huihuidehui.workers.dev/en/semi-press-release/global-semiconductor-equipment-sales-projected-to-reach-a-record-of-156-billion-dollars-in-2027-semi-reports 

2. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/semiconductors/our-insights/need-to-boost-semiconductor-fab-efficiency-look-to-maintenance

• Read more about Ball Wave Receives Certification from Taiwan's Leading Semiconductor Manufacturer for Revolutionary PPB-rated, Real-time, In-situ, Trace Moisture Analyzer