• Collaboration to accelerate the “Discovery to Commercialization” process for new sensor technologies
• Strengthens links between BSAC and the growing sensor development and commercialization ecosystem being formed by SITRI in Shanghai

BERKELEY, Calif. & SHANGHAI — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 3, 2015 — The Shanghai Industrial µTechnology Research Institute (SITRI), a technical leader and R&D organization associated with the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology (SIMIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced today it has entered into an agreement with the Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center (BSAC) at the University of California, Berkeley. The collaboration will allow the two organizations to expand collaboration and commercialization efforts of new sensor technologies. This partnership extends SITRI’s current involvement as a BSAC Industrial Affiliate, and will explore how new materials, processes and technologies for sensors can be discovered and quickly commercialized to serve the fast growing Internet of Things market. This agreement will also enable BSAC to increase its participation in the China market by leveraging SITRI’s well-established presence in the region.

BSAC is internationally renowned for its development and use of the most innovative materials, devices and structures to create cutting edge technologies and devices for sensing the physical world. As the popularity for more connected devices grows, there is a need to bring to market new sensing technologies at a faster pace. SITRI provides a platform for a rapid new company incubation and commercialization of technologies. SITRI’s unique model enables companies to gain access to the latest innovations, while also receiving the much needed investment, incubation, process integration and development support required to bring new products to market. Together, SITRI and BSAC will bridge the gap between the discovery of new sensing techniques and the integration of those innovative approaches into new products, ultimately enabling faster commercialization of new ideas. The agreement identifies a number of areas BSAC and SITRI will work together, including hosting SITRI-BSAC Technology Innovation and Commercialization Conference in Shanghai. The session will give greater visibility to the China industry on the latest in innovative research, and initiate discussion and cooperation at the individual project level to pursue specific areas of interest.

“Without a path toward commercialization, many of the latest advances in the science of sensors and actuators will never serve the public good. SITRI is an important new development in how these technologies can get to market, and we are pleased to strengthen this collaboration,” said John Huggins, Executive Director of BSAC.

“The electronics market worldwide has shifted to a connected, sensor based user experience, with a wide range of new technologies needing rapid commercialization,” said Charles Yang, president of SITRI. “SITRI provides a comprehensive new platform for commercializing these new innovations, and we are pleased to be able to work closely with a leading institution like BSAC to further accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of sensor technologies for the Internet of Things market.”

The SITRI-BSAC Technology Innovation and Commercialization Conference will be held in Shanghai later this year. Visit the SITRI or BSAC websites for updated information about this important event.

About SITRI: SITRI was established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Shanghai government to focus on the development and commercialization of ‘More than Moore’ technology. SITRI is an open innovation platform that includes an eight-inch micro-fabrication line, state-of-the-art R&D facilities, product design and integration services, technology analysis and research, supply-chain partners and industry associations, as well as dedicated investment funds. Leveraging China’s mature semiconductor industry, fast-growing domestic markets, and increasingly large talent pool, SITRI offers a world-class R&D center that works with global partners to fuel the innovations are driving the Internet of Things revolution. For more information, visit www.sitrigroup.com.

About BSAC: The Berkeley Sensor & Actuator Center (BSAC), founded in 1986 as the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Microsensors and Microactuators. We conduct industry-relevant, interdisciplinary research on micro- and nano-scale sensors, moving mechanical elements, microfluidics, materials, processes and systems that take advantage of progress made in integrated-circuit, bio, and polymer technologies. For more information, visit: www-bsac.eecs.berkeley.edu

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