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Technology Stocks : Energy Conversion Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Krowbar who wrote (7228)	5/28/2003 3:53:43 PM
From: Krowbar	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8393

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 28, 2003 — United Solar Systems Corp. (Uni-Solar), the world leader in thin-film amorphous silicon solar technology and a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) (NASDAQ:ENER), announced today that the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM (AFRL), has awarded Uni-Solar an $11.5 million, 18-month contract to develop new solar cell technology to be used in space and airship vehicles addressing defense and homeland security applications. AFRL has an option to fund the company an additional $7.8 million. The contract builds upon the success of earlier contracts with the Air Force and will fund research activities to develop ultra-lightweight solar arrays as the next-generation solar power technology for Air Force missions using advanced materials and innovative manufacturing technology. It will be administered by the Advanced Space Power Generation Group in the Space Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. UNI-SOLAR™ space photovoltaic (PV) products offer an ultra-light, low-cost alternative to conventional space PV modules made of crystalline silicon or gallium arsenide. The Uni-Solar triple-junction modules, originally developed for terrestrial applications, are made of amorphous silicon based thin-film alloys which are deposited on a 5-mil flexible stainless steel substrate. By utilizing a polymeric or a thinner stainless substrate, new space cells will be developed that have a specific power density greater than 600 watts per kilogram (W/kg). This is significantly higher than what is currently available. A high specific power density is required for airship application and, considering the high launching cost of satellites, lightweight cells also are economically attractive for space application. Furthermore, the radiation hardness and superior high-temperature performance of amorphous silicon make it an attractive material for space application. ovonic.com