Fiscal Revenues improved by 37%
Fiscal EBITDA improved by $2.1 million

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Advanced Photonix, Inc.® (NYSE Amex: API) (the "Company") today reported its fourth quarter and year end fiscal 2011 results ending March 31, 2011.

Financial Highlights for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011

Net Sales for the quarter were $7.8 million, an increase of $2.7 million or 52% from the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2010. Sequentially, revenues improved 1.2% compared to the $7.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
Net sales for the fiscal year were $28.8 million, an increase of 37% over the prior year. The increase was broad based across the Company’s markets, led by the telecommunication, industrial, homeland security and medical markets.
Gross profit margin for Q4 2011 was 44% of sales compared to 46% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The decrease in gross profit margin percentage was due primarily to ramp up in expenses associated with new products.
Gross profit margin for the fiscal year 2011 was 43% or flat compared to the prior year.
Operating loss for the quarter was $208,000 as compared to an operating loss of $891,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
Operating loss for the fiscal year 2011 was $825,000 compared to an operating loss of $3.7 million for the prior year.
Quarterly net loss was $563,000 or $0.02 per diluted share, as compared to a quarterly net loss of $846,000, or $0.03 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
Net loss for the fiscal year 2011 was $1.9 million or $0.07 per diluted share, as compared to $3.8 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the prior year period.
The Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was $221,000 or $0.01 per diluted share, as compared to a Non-GAAP net loss of $324,000, or $.01 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of the previous year. The Company reported full-year Non-GAAP net income of $785,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, as compared to a Non-GAAP net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the comparable prior year period.
EBITDA (which is defined as GAAP earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), was a positive $430,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to a negative EBITDA of $13,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. For year to date, the Company reported positive EBITDA of $1.7 million as compared to a negative EBITDA of $325,000 for the comparable prior year period.

Operating Expenses

The Company’s total operating expenses for the quarter were $3.7 million, up 12% compared to the $3.3 million reported for the fourth quarter last year. As a percent of revenue, total operating expenses were 46.6% compared to 63.6% for the fourth quarter last year. For the year, total operating expenses were $13.2 million, or 45.7% of revenue, compared to $12.7 million, or 60.1% of revenue last year.

Balance Sheet

The Company completed the year with $5.2 million in cash compared to $2.3 million as of March 31, 2010. Working capital as of March 31, 2011 was $7.6 million and the Company reported a current ratio of 2.1 to 1.

Richard Kurtz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We have had a very successful year and exceeded our original growth targets of 15% to 25%, by a wide margin. The comparative revenue growth of 52% for the fourth quarter is a validation that we made the correct decision by continuing to invest in our high growth platforms. This was particularly evidenced with our High Speed Optical Receiver product line which grew at 182% on a comparative quarterly basis. We positioned the company for growth during the downturn and are pleased with the success we have had in capturing market share and participating in the explosive growth of the 40G and 100G line-side market roll out. The capital raised earlier this year helped to de-leverage our balance sheet and provided funding to fuel our growth. The success of our various Terahertz application developments for industrial use is also a strong indication of our technology being embraced by various markets. We are looking forward to continuing our growth this coming year."

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Advanced Photonix® company (NYSE Amex: API), announced today that it has shipped the second Computer Tomography (CT) accessory to NICT in Japan. Building upon its previously purchased T-Ray 4000®, NICT is expanding its base system capability, by incorporating a CT gantry with a 20" horizontal and a 12" vertical scanning capability.

About Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful nondestructive evaluation technique for producing 2D and 3D cross-sectional images of an object using flat images. With its ability to facilitate internal inspection of the human body as well as manufactured components, x-ray CT has been utilized in many medical and industrial applications. In contrast to conventional x-rays which emit high energy radiation that require extreme safety standards and shielding, terahertz technology is safe and can be used as an alternative in many of those industrial applications, or applications where x-rays cannot be safely used. Key areas for terahertz CT scanning include flaw detection, failure analysis, assembly analysis, as well as art and archeology applications.

The Company’s state-of-the-art CT platform includes two new additional software modules for the T-Ray® Explorer program, the CT Acquisition Module and the CT Reconstruction Module. The CT Acquisition Module provides multiple sinogram data collection. Each sinogram represents the data for a single slice of the object. Once the sinogram images are collected, they must be converted into the cross-sectional image using a filtered back projection transform. This is performed within the CT Reconstruction Module. The fully integrated modules are straightforward and provide greater ease to the workflow process. Once the operator determines the parameters, the CT Reconstruction Module will perform batch reconstruction of the slice sinograms. Exporting the slices as a single multi-image TIFF allows for the assembly of the slices as a 3D model in many third party software packages.

Richard (Rick) Kurtz President and CEO of Advanced Photonix, Inc, stated, "Our latest CT software increases the effectiveness and inter-operability with third party software, making it easier for users to obtain internal three dimensional images. We expect this product to be broadly embraced with extensive use in the areas of non-destructive testing as well as art and archeology. In the study of antiquities, for example, traditional x-ray technology has the potential danger of affecting thermo-luminescence dating and requires the use of personal protective gear. The optional gantry and motion control system combined with our new CT software provide a powerful tool to the Art and Archeology world. More detailed information on the NICT archeology study at: http://www.nict.go.jp/publication/shuppan/kihou-journal/journal-vol55no1/05-02.pdf"

About Advanced Photonix, Inc.

Advanced Photonix, Inc.® (NYSE Amex: API) is a leading supplier with a broad offering of optoelectronic products to a global customer base. We provide optoelectronic solutions, high-speed optical receivers and terahertz instrumentation for telecom, homeland security, military, medical and industrial markets. With our patented technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing we offer industry leading performance, exceptional quality, and high value-added products to our OEM customer base. For more information visit us on the web at www.advancedphotonix.com.

Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corp. agrees to give up $35 million in profits

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation (TCVS) of Ann Arbor, Mich., and two of its officers, Mark A. Sutter, president and chief executive officer, and Mark Lincoln, vice president of Quality Assurance and Operations, have signed a consent decree of permanent injunction.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090824/FDALOGO)

The consent decree, to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by the Department of Justice, Office of Consumer Litigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office, prohibits the company from manufacturing and distributing two heart-lung bypass systems and other cardiovascular devices to new customers.

The consent decree also restricts sale of these systems to existing customers until TCVS complies with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Medical Device Reporting (MDR) requirements.

TCVS also agreed to pay the federal government $35 million in disgorgement of profits derived from past sales and additional disgorgement amounts should it fail to comply with the provisions of the consent decree in an effective and timely manner.

"Medical device manufacturers must comply with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practice and Medical Device Reporting requirements, as this action demonstrates," said Steven Silverman, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "These requirements protect patients by assuring that medical devices are safe, effective, and high quality."

During an inspection from January through March 2010, FDA investigators observed numerous cGMP and MDR violations at the company’s Ann Arbor manufacturing facility. The violations included deficiencies in processes for corrective and preventive action, nonconforming product, complaints, purchasing, process validation, design controls, and adverse event reporting.

The FDA has twice warned TCVS about its cGMP problems, issuing warning letters to the company in 2004 and in 2006.

Heart-lung bypass systems, also called perfusion systems, keep blood circulating and oxygenated by temporarily taking over the function of the heart and lungs during cardiac or thoracic surgery.

The consent decree restricts the company from distributing and manufacturing the following products:

Terumo Advanced Perfusion System 1
Sarns Modular Perfusion System 8000
Sarns Centrifugal System
HX2 Temperature Management System
Sarns TCMII Cooling and Heating System
CDI 500 Blood Parameter Monitoring System
Sarns Sternal Saw II System and Replacement Blades
T-Link Data Management Systems (Software Upgrades)
Cannulae for cardiopulmonary bypass
Cannulae for cardioplegia delivery
Vents, suckers, dilators, connectors, and reducers.

The company must also stop distributing the CDI 101 Hematocrit/Oxygen Saturation Monitoring System, which has yet to be reviewed by the FDA.

Because of concerns about possible shortages, the consent decree does not require TCVS to remove the listed products from the market. The company will be allowed to continue to provide service, replacement parts, and loaner devices to existing customers that submit documentation of medical need.

TCVS will be sending its customers a notification guide, which will include instructions for completing and returning a certificate of medical necessity. Its customers can contact the company by phone at 1-800-521-2818 or by email at cardiovascular@terumomedical.com. TCVS plans to establish a customer website: www.terumo-cvs.com/consentdecree.

The decree becomes effective when it has been filed with and entered by the court.

For more information

Aug. 31, 2004 FDA Warning Letter to Terumo Cardiovascular Systems

Aug. 31, 2006 FDA Warning Letter to Terumo Cardiovascular Systems

Media Inquiries: Karen Riley, 301-796-4674; karen.riley@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Affinia Group Inc., an innovative global leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and marketing of industrial grade products and services, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090326/AFFINIALOGO )

Full Year 2010

Consolidated net sales for the full year 2010 were $1.991 billion, as compared to $1.797 billion for 2009, an 11 percent improvement. The $194 million growth in net sales was primarily a result of improved market conditions, increased sales in our Brazilian distribution business and new business wins with new and existing customers.  Currency translation had a $26 million favorable impact on sales as compared with full year 2009.

Filtration products net sales were $759 million in 2010, a $46 million increase compared to 2009.  The 6 percent increase in sales was attributable to $43 million of additional sales in the U.S. and Canadian markets and a $23 million increase due to improved market share in European markets. Offsetting these increases was unfavorable currency translation, primarily resulting from currency devaluation in Venezuela.

Brake North America and Asia products net sales were $633 million in 2010, a $40 million increase compared to 2009.  The higher sales were partially due to improved market conditions and new business wins with new and existing customers in the U.S. and Canada.  Additionally, the Company’s Chinese operations experienced a $14 million increase in sales to external customers both within and outside of China.  Currency translation also had a favorable impact on year-over-year sales of $9 million.

Chassis product net sales were $169 million in 2010, a $16 million increase compared to 2009.  The increase in sales was driven by improved market conditions and a new business win in premium chassis product, which began to ship in the fourth quarter of 2010.  The increase in sales was further improved by favorable currency translation effects of $3 million in Canada. 

Brake South America and Commercial Distribution South America products experienced an increase in net sales of over 25%.  Net sales improved by $90 million in 2010 compared to 2009.  The growth in net sales was attributable to improved market conditions, growth in the Brazilian distribution business along with the introduction of new products for motorcycle and heavy duty applications.  The improvement in sales was also partially due to $35 million of favorable currency translation, primarily in Brazil.

Gross profit for 2010 increased by $42 million, or 11 percent, as compared to 2009.  The improvement in gross profit was mainly attributable to an improved cost structure resulting from the Company’s comprehensive restructuring program and further enhanced by an increase in net sales. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2010 were $290 million compared with $267 million in 2009.  As a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expense remained unchanged at 15 percent.  The $23 million year-over-year increase was a result of $10 million of higher restructuring expense and an increase in other general expenses resulting from a higher level of sales. 

Net income attributable to the Company increased $68 million.  The increase was partially attributable to a $19 million improvement in operating profit.  A one time loss of $61 million, primarily relating to an asset impairment of $75 million in connection with the Company’s Commercial Distribution Europe operations in 2009, which were subsequently sold in the first quarter of 2010, was a major contributing factor in the $68 million year-over-year increase in net income.

Total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2010 was $696 million, compared with $601 million at year end December 31, 2009.  On December 9, 2010 the Company completed an offering of an additional $100 million of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014.  The Company also exercised the full amount of its option to redeem up to $22.5 million of its 10.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2016.  On December 31, 2010 the Company had $55 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $65 million at year-end 2009.  No financial maintenance covenants exist under the Company’s capital structure and the Company remained in compliance with all debt covenants at December 31, 2010.  The year-over-year change in indebtedness is outlined in the table below.

Terry McCormack, Affinia Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "As our 2010 financial results have begun to show, we have transformed Affinia into a globally cost competitive enterprise and we are now focusing our efforts on sustainable growth.  Although we posted record sales and profits in 2010, we continue to cautiously watch inflationary pressures on commodities and freight, as we have recently seen relevant increases in these input costs.  Our transformation into a low cost manufacturer and distributor, along with our ability to react to price increases, allows us to mitigate the bottom line impact to our business. We recently unveiled our World Smart(TM) business philosophy, which emphasizes a unique approach to global manufacturing.  As a World Smart company, we not only manufacture competitively priced products, but we do so in a manner that assures consistent quality regardless of where the product is manufactured or sold.  By demonstrating to our customers our ability to provide world class quality and service at competitive prices in all of the markets we serve, we are confident that we will continue to experience profitable growth not only organically, but through improved market share with new and existing customers and within new and existing markets."

Fourth Quarter

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $501 million, a 10 percent increase as compared to $455 million for the fourth quarter of 2009.  The $46 million increase was due to improved market conditions and new business wins with new and existing customers, including new business in premium chassis products, which began to ship in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Gross profit for the fourth quarter 2010 was $102 million, compared with $101 million for the same period in 2009. Gross margin decreased in the fourth quarter of 2010 to 20% from 22% last year.  The decrease in gross margin was due to in part to increased freight costs and higher distribution costs.   

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $70 million, or 14 percent of sales, as compared to $71 million, or 16 percent of sales, for the same period in 2009.  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased in the fourth quarter of 2010 but were offset by an increase in restructuring expenses during that same period. 

Net income attributable to the Company for the fourth quarter of 2010 was a loss of $1 million compared with a loss of $54 million in the same period in 2009.  A one time loss of $61 million, primarily driven by an asset impairment in connection with the Commercial Distribution Europe operations in 2009, which were subsequently sold in the first quarter of 2010, was a major contributing factor in the $53 million increase in net income. 

Web Cast and Conference Call

Affinia Group will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss its results on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

To participate in the webcast, visit Affinia’s web site, www.affiniagroup.com, and click on the webcast link. To participate in the conference call, dial 1-866-551-3680 within the United States and Canada or 1-212-401-6760 for international callers and reference conference ID 3875808#. A replay of the call will be available shortly after the live conference ends.

Affinia Group Inc. is an innovative global leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and marketing of industrial grade products and services, including extensive offerings of aftermarket parts for automotive and heavy-duty vehicles. With approximately $2 billion in annual revenue, Affinia has operations in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.affiniagroup.com.

-Down Under Promotion offers $100 rebate and chance to win Curtis Stone products-

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Durability is the number one attribute homeowners want from the cabinet under their kitchen sink, according to a recent survey commissioned by Merillat cabinetry. Secondly, they want it to be easy to clean. The new Merillat CoreGuard™ Sink Base answers these requirements by helping to keep cabinetry dry and clean for years to come. What’s more, this innovative product just became more attainable as Merillat launches the Down Under Promotion now through May 28, 2011.

"Most homeowners don’t think about the area under their sink until they have to, most likely when there’s permanent damage caused by minor leaks and spills," said Patrick Zschering, Merillat Brand Manager.  "At Merillat we try to think ahead, to come up with solutions so homeowners don’t experience the problem in the first place – that was the idea behind the CoreGuard™ Sink Base."

According to Zschering, the Down Under Promotion is a way for Merillat to get the word out about this smart kitchen solution.

What is the Down Under Promotion?

When homeowners purchase Merillat Classic® cabinetry and include a CoreGuard™ Sink Base in their new kitchen, they are eligible for a $100 mail-in rebate.  The promotion runs until May 28, 2011, at any Merillat dealer and the rebate can be downloaded from Merillat.com.

In addition to the $100 rebate, consumers also have the chance to win products from Merillat’s brand ambassador, Australian chef, Curtis Stone.  Every day until May 1, 2011 visitors to Merillat.com can register and answer a few questions about what goes on Down Under their sink for a chance to win prizes from Curtis Stone’s must-have product line including a Go With the Flow Oil Can, Hold Me Mixing Bowls and Flipper Cutting Board.

What is the CoreGuard™ Sink Base?

The CoreGuard™ Sink Base completely rethinks the construction methodology of traditional sink base cabinets by specifically addressing issues such as minor spills and plumbing leaks.  With the exception of the cabinet’s face, frame and door assembly, all the wood and wood-based materials typically used in construction have been replaced with an engineered polymer material.

The engineered polymer material used in the cabinet helps protect against damage from liquids and does not absorb, making it easier to clean and maintain.  In addition, the floor has a slight forward tilt so minor spills or leaks migrate to the front of the cabinet, making it easier and quicker to detect problems.  And the floor’s rib design helps keep bottles and boxes slightly elevated to minimize damage, without blocking spills and leaks from moving to the front of the cabinet.

Learn More About the Down Under Promotion

"According to a recent survey, 38 percent of homeowners have experienced damage under their sink," said Zschering.  "Whether it’s plumbing leaks or spills from cleaning products, CoreGuard™ is the perfect solution to this problem.  The Down Under promotion helps us get the word out and build excitement around this innovative new product."

For more information about the Merillat CoreGuard™ Sink Base, the Down Under Promotion and to enter to win Curtis Stone products visit Merillat.com.  For updated tips and trends join Merillat’s Facebook page, check out their Round Table Blog or follow them on Twitter. 

About Merillat. Merillat knows how meaningful innovation and functional storage can make prepping, cooking, entertaining and living in the kitchen easier. And to demonstrate how Merillat kitchens are highly functional and filled with a variety of smart storage solutions, the company recently launched a national multi-media advertising and public relations campaign centered around the theme of The Dream Kitchen for the Real World. Merillat is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and part of Masco Cabinetry., All Merillat products carry the seal of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Association (KCMA). A leader in environmental stewardship, Masco Cabinetry has been granted an Environmental Stewardship Program certificate by the KCMA and is ISO 14001 certified. www.merillat.com

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — On March 7, 2011, Mr. Wainright and our Board of Directors mutually determined that Mr. Wainright will separate his employment with us after an approximately 90-day transition period.  During that period, our management and Board of Directors will conduct a search for a successor to Mr. Wainright as our Chief Executive Officer, including a review of internal candidates.  

Kent Herrick, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tecumseh Products Company commented: "We are truly appreciative of the effort and contributions made by Jim over the past three and one half years as we re-invented Tecumseh Products Company and wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

About Tecumseh Products Company

Tecumseh Products Company (Nasdaq: TECUA) is a full-line independent global manufacturer of hermetically sealed compressors for residential and commercial refrigerators, freezers, water coolers, dehumidifiers, window air conditioning units and residential and commercial central system air conditioners and heat pumps.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — ANN ARBOR, MICH.  – American Broach & Machine Company will establish a new research and development center in the Ann Arbor region.  Today, the company received a Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credit totaling $572,782 to help encourage the expansion.  
“American Broach & Machine Company is focused on quality processes and investing in manufacturing capability in order to make the world’s highest quality internal spline broach cutting tools for gears and spline parts,” said Ken Nemec, president, American Broach & Machine Company.  “American Broach & Machine Company would like to design, develop, and build newly innovated broaching machines to add value to manufacturing while growing jobs in Michigan.   The company’s new research and development center would give American Broach & Machine an edge in a tough industry, and help rebuild Michigan’s manufacturing base.”

American Broach & Machine Company, a designer and builder of machine tools for the auto and defense sectors, plans to invest $25 million in a new research and development center in Ypsilanti. The company expects the project to create up to 43 new jobs.
The MEGA award helped convince American Broach & Machine Company to invest in Michigan over competing sites in Canada and China.
“The Ann Arbor region is a destination for advanced manufacturing,” said Skip Simms, interim president and CEO.  “Access to talent as well as existing facilities and equipment help advanced manufacturing businesses hit the ground running and grow quickly in the Ann Arbor region.”
The City of Ypsilanti is considering tax abatements in support of the project.
ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in the Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Michigan Works!/ETCS, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Advanced Photonix, Inc. (NYSE-Amex: API) announced today that it entered into an underwriting agreement with B. Riley & Co., LLC, providing for the sale of 1,200,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $1.97 a share, less an underwriting discount of $0.1182 a share.

The shares of common stock are being sold pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-171390), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 5, 2011.

Richard Kurtz, CEO of Advanced Photonix, Inc. stated "This final draw down of our existing shelf registration will be used for our general corporate purposes including (i) working capital needed to support the rapid growth of our HSOR products in foreign markets, (ii) accelerated development and marketing of Terahertz applications, (iii) capital expenditures needed to further automate our manufacturing processes, and increase our productivity."

A prospectus supplement relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC. Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or directly from the Company by written request to Investor Relations c/o Richard Kurtz. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of the shares referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Advanced Photonix, Inc.

Advanced Photonix, Inc.® (NYSE-Amex: API) is a leading supplier with a broad offering of optoelectronic products to a global customer base. We provide optoelectronic solutions, high-speed optical receivers and terahertz instrumentation for telecom, homeland security, military, medical and industrial markets. With our patented technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing we offer industry leading performance, exceptional quality, and high value-added products to our OEM customer base. For more information visit us on the web at www.advancedphotonix.com.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Advanced Photonix, Inc.® (NYSE Amex: API), announced today that its subsidiary Picometrix® will supply its industry leading 40 gigabit per second (Gb/s) high-speed optical receiver, the BR-40D, for long haul communications to a leading China OEM telecom systems provider that is a key supplier to the rapidly growing BRIC markets (Brazil, Russia, India and China).

This initial purchase commitment that will be delivered over the next 3 months exceeds $625,000 and has the potential to bear significant additional revenue during the coming fiscal year with follow on commitments to purchase the 40 Gb/s optical receivers.

"This design win with a major OEM based in China, who is a key supplier to the rapidly growing BRIC, markets confirms that our efforts at penetrating the China OEM market are beginning to bear fruit and could provide significant future revenue," said Robin (Rob) Risser, CFO of API and General Manager of Picometrix.  "This design win is only one of several design wins with tier 1 OEMs based in China that were are pursuing.  We anticipate additional design wins in both 100 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s products that will move to volume production status during the next fiscal year."

The BR-40D exemplifies the company’s continued technology leadership in 40 Gb/s and emerging 100 Gb/s high-speed optical receivers.  Picometrix offers the industry’s most complete line of 100 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s HSOR solutions for both client-side and line-side modulation formats, including NRZ, RZ, DPSK, DQPSK, ODB, DP-QPSK and DP-BPSK.

The new design win is for 40 Gb/s long haul communications in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems that utilizes 40Gb/s DPSK (differential phase-shift keying) modulation.  Our receiver utilizes the company’s patented photodiode arrays to limit timing skew, which is important for DPSK modulation schemes that are used in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems. DPSK modulation takes advantage of phase modulation to extend transmission distances with high tolerance to crosstalk. This in turn lowers cost for systems implementation and decreases power consumption.

About Advanced Photonix, Inc.
Advanced Photonix, Inc.® (NYSE Amex: API) is a leading supplier with a broad offering of optoelectronic products to a global customer base. We provide optoelectronic solutions, high-speed optical receivers and terahertz instrumentation for telecom, homeland security, military, medical and industrial markets. With our patented technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing we offer industry leading performance, exceptional quality, and high value-added products to our OEM customer base. For more information visit us on the web at www.advancedphotonix.com.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—A next-generation nano-mechanical engineering lab complex at the University of Michigan will enable researchers to study the forces at work at the smallest scales and to advance nano-technologies in energy, manufacturing, healthcare and biotechnology.

The Center of Excellence in Nano Mechanical Science and Engineering is a $46 million facility made possible in part by a $9.5 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, announced today. The three-story complex will include 60 lab modules and space for 18 professors in a 62,880 square-foot addition to the G.G. Brown Laboratories on Hayward Street on North Campus.

"Michigan Engineering has always been strong in traditional large-scale mechanical engineering areas including automotive research. This new facility will propel us to the next level. It will allow researchers to pursue exciting projects at the frontiers of mechanical science and engineering, where the discipline intersects with nanoscience and biology," said David Munson, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering.

"We would like to thank our federal lawmakers U.S. Rep. John Dingell, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow as well as Gov. Jennifer Granholm for their support throughout this process," he said.

This center will complement the College of Engineering’s Lurie Nanofabrication Facility, a state-of-the art lab where researchers focus on building devices at the nanoscale. In the new complex, researchers will develop the tools to measure, image, study and test nanoscale phenomena and devices.

"The award is great news for the University of Michigan and the state of Michigan," said Governor Jennifer Granholm. "This new facility will help train the next generation of engineers in our state, and produce the cutting-edge research and development in energy, health care and manufacturing that will continue to diversify our economy and create jobs."

The center will be designed with a tightly controlled experimental environment. Existing labs in mechanical engineering, designed for macroscale research, don’t have the right temperature, dust, vibration and noise controls for researchers to take accurate nanoscale measurements, said Jack Hu, associate dean for academic affairs in engineering. Hu is a professor of Mechanical Engineering and the G. Lawton and Louise G. Johnson Professor of Engineering. He led the proposal effort to NIST.

"Our current setting is full of water pumps and various machine tools, which are not appropriate for the new research we are pursuing," Hu said.

"Nanotechnology is full of promise," Hu said. "It has applications in manufacturing, in medicine and in solar and thermal energy conversion, to name just a few fields. Fundamental to all these areas is a good understanding of the mechanical behavior of nanoparticles and we don’t yet have that. Through this facility, we are providing an enabling platform for this research and innovation."

Work in the lab will be divided into four thrusts: nano-measurement, single biomolecule analysis, nanoscale energy conversion and nanomanufacturing, and nano- and microelectromechanical systems for medical research and diagnostics. Some of the projects will take place in the labs are:

• Measuring the twisting forces at work in a DNA molecule, which could help researchers understand how these blueprints of life copy and repair themselves.

• Testing new techniques that map strain, temperature and forces in materials in order to understand one of the most vexing phenomena in engineering: why and how does a material’s strength depend on its microscopic structure. Traditional laws cannot predict the strength of devices at the smallest scales. This research could bring about lighter materials that could improve fuel economy.

• Understanding how biological molecules interact and reproduce, how they transport molecular cargoes, and how they convert chemical signals into mechanical work. New knowledge of these processes could aid in the development of better drug delivery and treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Building a microelectromechanical biochip that can affordably count thousands of single T-cells for HIV/AIDS monitoring in resource-limited settings.

• Figuring out why carbon nanotubes are so strong and conductive. They are stronger and stiffer than steel. They conduct electricity better than copper, and conduct heat better than diamonds. But to integrate them into larger devices, engineers must be able to understand and predict these properties.

Construction is expected to start in spring 2011 and finish in May 2013. In addition to the NIST funding, this project is supported by $15 million from the University of Michigan, $6.5 million from the College of Engineering, and $15 million in private commitments.

Michigan Engineering:
The University of Michigan College of Engineering is ranked among the top engineering schools in the country. At $180 million annually, its engineering research budget is one of largest of any public university. Michigan Engineering is home to 11 academic departments and a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. The college plays a leading role in the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and hosts the world class Lurie Nanofabrication Facility. Find out more at: http://www.engin.umich.edu/