The spin-off company Cambridge Semiconductor, set up in
August 2000 by Professor Gehan Amaratunga and Dr Florin Udrea ( see 'energy saving devices' in the news archive) has now been
tipped to become a world leading force in power electronics field.
Its technology is being described by investors as some of the most exciting they have seen emanating from the
University and the company has just closed a £3.9M investment, taking the entire investment in the
company to £ 4.25M - a striking achievement given the gloom in the sector globally.
Cambridge Semiconductor was spun out of the Department of Engineering with an initial investment of
£250,000 from the Cambridge University Challenge Fund.
"The University's strength and support in helping us to reach this stage should not be underestimated," said
Prof Amaratunga. "The team and the investors are excited that we have something different in the sector and
are in at the very early stage of a venture that promises substantial long-term growth."
"The timing is just right: it is no bad thing that the market is down: when it bounces back up we should be
in the vanguard with something new."
The company's power integrated circuits can be used in a range of different applications, from power supplies
for computers and mobile phones to domestic appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum
cleaners and air conditioners.
Its 'disruptive technology' offers the potential to improve significantly the performance and energy
efficiency of such appliances as well as reduce the overall systems cost.
