Dec 14 2010
Baolab has won the prestigious Elektra European Electronics Industry Awards 2010 in the R&D category for its innovative NanoEMS technology.
The established annual highpoint of the electronics industry, the Elektra Awards gives the industry the opportunity to recognise the achievements of individuals and companies across Europe. They are designed to promote best practice in key areas including innovation, sales growth and employee motivation. The winners were announced at the Elektra Awards Dinner and Christmas Party which took place last week at the Lancaster London Hotel. http://www.elektraawards.co.uk
Speaking on behalf of the Electra 2010 panel of judges, host Hugh Dennis stated, "The range of research presented to us this year was exceptional, but it was the long-term potential of the winning research in a technology area of real importance which impressed the judges."
Neil Dickins, director of IC Group, presented the R&D Award to Baolab's CEO, Dave Doyle and CTO, Josep Montanyà i Silvestre. "Our NanoEMS technology is the breakthrough that MEMS customers have been waiting for," explained Dave Doyle. "We are perfecting the techniques for being able to create MEMS within the existing metal layers of the CMOS wafer using standard, high volume production techniques. As a result, they are an order of magnitude smaller and significantly less expensive compared with traditional MEMS techniques. This cost breakthrough is really exciting customers, especially as we can create several structures, which can be the same or different, simultaneously on one multi-sensor device to deliver even greater cost savings. Being shortlisted for this year's Elektra Awards has really raised our profile in the global electronics community, bringing in new enquiries from all over the world. Winning is a huge thrill for us and I'm sure will raise our profile even further."
As a result of being shortlisted, the company is now expanding its recruitment of new staff. Three new members of staff have recently been added to the team bringing the total up to twelve: -- Daniel Fernandez, ASIC design Engineer; Adolfo de la Calle, Digital Design Engineer; and Nigel Drew, Technical Marketing Manager. In addition, Joan Majo, former Spanish Minister of Industry, has been appointed Chairman.
Baolab is a private Spanish company that has received significant funding from Highgrowth Partners, a Spanish Venture Capital firm based in Barcelona that specialises in high technology investments.