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Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.: Energy Harvesting Project Scoops IET Innovation Award

^{Published on 2009-12-01 06:46:56 - Market Wire}
 

OTTAWA, CANADA--(Marketwire - Dec. 1, 2009) - An in-body microgenerator that converts energy from the heartbeat into power for implanted medical devices was named winner of the Emerging Technology Award at the Institution of Engineering and Technology's (IET) Innovation Awards 2009 on November 25 in London, England. The Self-Energizing Implantable Medical Microsystem (SIMM) microgenerator was developed by Zarlink Semiconductor (TSX:ZL), InVivo Technology Limited, Perpetuum Limited, Finsbury Orthopaedics and Odstock Medical.

The SIMM microgenerator harvests energy by using differential pressure within the chambers of the heart to help augment the existing battery for implanted medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers and implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). In preclinical testing, the microgenerator successfully produced one-third of the energy required to power a conventional cardiac pacemaker (excluding pacing demand).

"The SIMM microgenerator will help enable new implanted medical devices that support more advanced applications and functionality, while also improving quality-of-life for patients by enabling smaller products with a longer operating life," said Martin McHugh, business development manager with Zarlink Semiconductor's Advanced Packaging group and SIMM project coordinator. "This award from the IET recognizes energy harvesting as an important emerging technology in the field of medical implants. We believe this technology will make a significant contribution in furthering patient care and comfort."

Announced in December 2006, the SIMM consortium received 560,000 pounds sterling in matched funding from the UK government Technology Strategy Board to prototype a device capable of harvesting energy from body movement. For more information on the SIMM project, visit: [ http://www.implantgen.com/ ].

The IET Innovation Awards span 15 categories and attracted over 300 entries from around the world. They represent a unique opportunity for innovators to be recognized and provide a showcase for the brightest ideas, highlighting the importance of innovation by celebrating its application across a range of engineering disciplines.

Nigel Fine, IET Chief Executive, said, "I would like to congratulate all the winning and shortlisted entries in this year's IET Innovation Awards, which demonstrate genuine innovation and represent significant technological advances."

"The entries which made it into the shortlist are a very impressive roll call of innovation and although it may be a cliche to say 'everyone is a winner' in this case I am sure it is true. The awards highlight the depth and breadth of innovative work which is being carried out and it is clear from the range of entries that innovation is alive and well."

About Zarlink Semiconductor

For over 30 years, Zarlink Semiconductor has delivered semiconductor solutions that drive the capabilities of voice, enterprise, broadband and wireless communications. The Company's success is built on its technology strengths including voice and data networks, optoelectronics and ultra low-power communications. For more information, visit [ www.zarlink.com ].

Shareholders and other individuals wishing to receive, free of charge, copies of the reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Regulatory Authorities, should visit the Company's web site at [ www.zarlink.com ] or contact Investor Relations.

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the following: our dependence on the successful development and market introduction of new products; our ability to integrate any business, technologies, product lines or services that we have or will acquire; our dependence on revenue generation from our legacy products in order to fund development of our new products; current market conditions, including the lack of liquidity in the markets and economic slowdown, may increase our operating costs or reduce our revenue, thereby negatively impacting our operating results; our ability to operate profitably and generate positive cash flows in the future; the impact of the current economic crisis on our suppliers and customers and our ability to transfer parts to other suppliers; our dependence on our foundry suppliers and third-party subcontractors; order cancellations and deferrals by our customers; our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial position; the cost and accounting implications of compliance with new accounting standards; and other factors referenced in our Annual Report on Form 20-F. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in this filing.

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