Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2007

Schumer, McNulty announce over $2 million coming to crystal is, inc. For cost-effective, energy-efficient light-emitting diodes

Federal Funds will be Used to Design Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)—a Cheaper, Environmentally-Friendly Alternative to Ultraviolet Lamps

Crystal IS Believes Market for these LEDs Could Reach $1 Billion within 15 Years—bringing Economic Prowess to Upstate New York

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Michael R. McNulty today announced that $2 million has been awarded to Crystal IS, Inc in Green Island by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology under their Advanced Technology Program. The funds will be used to design and produce high-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that operate in the deep ultraviolet.

“The future is bright for Crystal IS and the Capital Region,” said Schumer. “This federal funding will support some of the most cutting-edge, technological research and design, and put the Capital Region at the forefront of these innovative advances, not to mention the jobs and powerful economic benefits it will bring to the region.”

"The research being done at Crystal IS has the potential to make Green Island, New York the leader of a new frontier for solid state ultraviolet light sources. This grant will allow Crystal IS to make significant strides in producing technology that will be useful in the health, environmental, and homeland security fields," said Rep. Michael R. McNulty

Crystal IS, Inc. will use these federal funds to support the design and production of high-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that operate in the deep ultraviolet. These efficient, cost-effective LEDs will not only be cheaper than existing mercury lamp sources—without the environmental hazards of mercury—but also will open up new applications and markets where UV lamps currently do not offer a solution. Crystal IS believes the market for these LEDs could reach $1 billion in 15 years.

“This grant will help accelerate our transition to manufacturing devices for use in UV water and air purification, homeland security and health care applications,” said Dr. Leo Schowalter, Crystal IS co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. “We also view this, our second consecutive ATP award, as a validation of all the progress we’ve made over the past three years, including the critical milestone of growing the world’s first 2-inch native AlN substrate.”

“The tireless support of our congressional delegation in the area of technology development and production is one of the main reasons that we have chosen to grow our company in New York,” said Timothy Bettles, Crystal IS Vice President of Business Development, Sales and Marketing.

The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) bridges the gap between the research lab and the market place, stimulating prosperity through innovation. Through partnerships with the private sector, ATP's early stage investment is accelerating the development of innovative technologies that promise significant commercial payoffs and widespread benefits for the nation. As part of the highly regarded National Institute of Standards and Technology, the ATP is changing the way industry approaches R&D, providing a mechanism for industry to extend its technological reach and push out the envelope of what can be attempted.

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