NanoGaN, a spin-out company from the University of Bath, has been acquired by semiconductor wafer manufacturer IQE plc.
NanoGaN was founded in January 2008 by Professor Wang Nang Wang of the University’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering to produce Gallium Nitride (GaN) wafers, a material that is increasingly important for a number of applications including blue-ray DVD, advanced lasers and solid-state lighting (SSL).
NanoGaN established a range of unique processes and intellectual property including its proprietary Nanocolumn technology for producing high quality, free-standing GaN substrates.
With the development of NanoGaN’s proprietary technology now at an advanced stage, IQE’s expertise as the world leading manufacturer of advanced semiconductor materials provides the ideal opportunity to accelerate the commercialisation and high volume production of an exciting range of advanced laser and SSL products.
Professor Wang, who is acknowledged as a leading advanced materials scientist with significant commercial and advisory experience, will become chief scientific advisor to IQE.
Ron Humphreys, Director of Bath Ventures, the department responsible for spinning-out the University’s research into new companies, said: “This deal realises a return on our research and provides the opportunity for the technology to move to volume production and make an impact in the international market for this semiconductor material.
“This is good news for NanoGaN, for the University of Bath and for those who support our research. NanoGaN is the latest chapter in a track-record of spin-out successes at the University of Bath.”