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For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Contact: Laura Magee (ESD) | laura.magee@esd.ny.gov  | (716) 846-8239 | (800) 260-7313 ESD Press Office | PressOffice@esd.ny.gov | (800) 260-7313 Jerry Gretzinger (AIM) | jgretzinger@sunypoly.edu | 518-956-7359

Rochester, NY - The New York State Photonics Board of Officers today announced that Samtec, a global manufacturer of a broad line of electronic interconnect solutions, has become the latest member of AIM Photonics. Samtec will play a key role within the institute, providing expertise and leadership in prototyping and evaluating optical manufacturing methods.

“Today we welcome another international technology leader to AIM Photonics, further strengthening the team behind this important state and federal initiative,” said New York State Photonics Board of Officers Chairman John Maggiore. “The momentum of the institute continues to grow as we prepare to announce the location of the TAP facility which will be a transformative milestone for AIM, the Rochester region and the State of New York, which continues to build upon its leadership in advanced technology innovation.”

“Samtec is thrilled to be a part of AIM Photonics and to make critical contributions towards achieving its goals.  For example, miniature on-board optical transceivers, such as our FireFly™ Micro Flyover System™, enable ultrafast interconnects at speeds, distances and densities that traditional copper interconnects cannot achieve” said Marc Verdiell, CTO of Samtec Optical Group, a Technology Center of Samtec, Inc.  “The next generation optical transceivers running at 50 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s per lane will require novel silicon photonics chips and advanced optical packaging.  Our collaboration with AIM and SUNY Polytechnic Institute will accelerate the research and development of these cutting edge optical manufacturing technologies.”

AIM Photonics is building a membership that includes some of the world’s most innovative technology companies and each partner provides critical elements to the success of the institute. Founded in 1976, Samtec is a privately held, $625 million global manufacturer of a broad line of electronic interconnect solution blocks. To meet the interconnect challenges of tomorrow and beyond, Samtec has developed unique Technology Centers to help optimize the entire signal transmission path from the IC to the panel and beyond, and all points in between.

“Samtec is an excellent example of the kind of innovative, solutions-driven members that make up the AIM team,” said Robert Duffy, Chairman of the AIM Photonics Leadership Council. “The expertise Samtec brings to the institute makes our mission even more attainable.  We are extremely grateful for their partnership in this exciting endeavor.”

“The foundation of AIM Photonics is rooted in strategic partnerships like the one we have announced today with Samtec.  Each partner company brings unique expertise and opportunities to help further our mission to accelerate the transition of integrated photonic solutions from innovation to manufacturing-ready deployment,” said Michael Liehr, CEO of AIM Photonics and Executive Vice President of Innovation and Technology for SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “I am very pleased to welcome Samtec to AIM Photonics and look forward to our collaboration.”

“The continued growth of AIM is a testament to the power of collaboration to drive innovation, and of the value of world class research and development grounded in a commitment to academic excellence,” said SUNY Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, and SUNY Poly Officer-in-Charge Alexander N. Cartwright. “Each new partner with AIM is a partner with SUNY. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with a world renowned company like Samtec. I know that our partnership will yield dynamic opportunities for students, faculty and staff.”

AIM’s Integrated Photonics Institute is designed to establish a technology, business and education framework for industry, government and academia to accelerate the transition of integrated photonics solutions from technology prototypes to manufacturing-ready deployment in systems spanning multiple commercial and defense applications. Each AIM Photonics partner brings unique know-how to address an end-to-end solution to the photonics ecosystem. Specifically, Samtec will provide AIM with optical packaging and test equipment, novel techniques for single mode fiber coupling of SiPho chips and glass waveguides.

About the New York State Photonics Board of Officers The New York State Photonics Board of Officers coordinates New York State’s significant financial investments with AIM.  The board of officers consists of seven members who represent a wide array of business, programmatic, and technical expertise.  The Governor of New York State appoints the Chairman and two additional members; SUNY Polytechnic Institute appoints two members; and the Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Rochester each appoint one member.

About Samtec, Inc. Founded in 1976, Samtec is a privately held, $625MM global manufacturer of a broad line of electronic interconnect solutions, including IC-to-Board and IC Packaging, High-Speed Board-to-Board, High-Speed Cables, Mid-Board and Panel Optics, Flexible Stacking, and Micro/Rugged components and cables. Samtec Technology Centers are dedicated to developing and advancing technologies, strategies and products to optimize both the performance and cost of a system from the bare die to an interface 100 meters away, and all interconnect points in between. With 33 locations in 18 different countries, Samtec’s global presence enables its unmatched customer service. For more information, please visit http://www.samtec.com.

About SUNY Polytechnic Institute SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem, formed from the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and SUNY Institute of Technology. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany location and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome location. Thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts more than $43 billion in high-tech investments and over 300 corporate partners. For information visit www.sunycnse.com and www.sunypoly.edu.