Applied Materials plans venture with Komatsu

Article Abstract:

Applied Materials Inc and Komatsu Ltd of Japan announce a joint venture that will make and market equipment for the production of liquid crystal displays (LCD). Applied Material's Japan-based subsidiary, Applied Display Technology, will be the focus of the agreement, with Komatsu buying a 50 percent share in the company, whose name will be changed. The joint venture makes Applied Materials one of few American companies that are supplying semiconductor production equipment to Japanese firms. The production of active matrix screens had been a very costly process until Japanese companies discovered a technique to reduce defects. These companies have since increased their investments in the technology and have been seeking state-of-the-art production equipment. Applied Materials' stock rose from less than $17 in Jun 1992 to $56.50 in mid-Jun 1993.

Special industry machinery, not elsewhere classified, Management, Joint ventures, Investments, Semiconductor production equipment industry, Semiconductor production equipment, Applied Materials Inc., Liquid crystal displays, Strategic Planning, LCD Display, Komatsu Ltd., Applied Display Technology

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The custom-made supercomputer

Article Abstract:

Scientists are discovering that building their own custom computers can be a powerful alternative to purchasing computing time on expensive supercomputers. These so called custom supercomputers are built by the scientists involved in the research to perform one task especially well. Computers such as these are being used to study the orbit of Pluto, to simulate galaxies, to perform massive word searches and to play chess. Custom supercomputers provide a less costly alternative to general purpose supercomputers because they do not require many of the extras that push up the cost of certain supercomputers to the $20 million mark. Skeptics of the custom made machines point out that the cost savings is usually lost because they often take researchers several months to create.

Usage, Supercomputers, Supercomputer, Parallel processing, Multiprocessing, Custom Systems, Scientific Computers, Dedicated Processors

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Technology shift blurs future of Japan's new TV system

Article Abstract:

Japanese industry and government officials are not yet ready to admit that their system for high-definition television (HDTV) is being eclipsed by technology being developed in the US for digital transmission. Japanese broadcasting companies, hoping to spur interest in their system to Japanese consumers, have set up public viewing places where Japanese can see the technology at work; analysts, however, remain skeptical about the future of their analog system, which is called Muse. Even some Japanese agree that the future of HDTV will lie in digital transmission, and there is talk that the industry and Japanese government are considering a new project for an HDTV technology that will leapfrog all existing technologies.

ELECTRONIC & OTHER ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT, Japan, Marketing, Consumer electronics, Digital communications, High-definition television, High definition television, Marketing Strategy, Digital Communication

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