Ambient Light Energy Harvesting Solar Cell Enables Battery-Free Keyboard

Ambient Demonstrates Low-Light Energy Harvesting Technology for More Sustainable IoT at CES 2023

Scotts Valley, Calif., December 20, 2022Ambient Photonics will be at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 5 – 8 at The Venetian Expo Center (Toscana 3802) to demonstrate how to decarbonize connected devices through real-world applications. Showcasing its novel low-light energy harvesting solar technology, Ambient will display proof-of-concept prototypes across a range of IoT, smart home, smart retail and industry 4.0 devices in partnership with the world’s leading IoT manufacturers.

“As we pioneer a new indoor energy harvesting market from the ground up, we recognize the importance of a proven, repeatable methodology for integrating energy harvesting technology into devices,” said Ambient CEO Bates Marshall. “Our mission at CES is to demonstrate this model and show how manufacturers are quantifiably reducing emissions while at the same time developing products that support sustainable living for consumers.”

Ambient’s expert engineers will share the design considerations, performance benefits and carbon lifecycle analyses of integrating its award-winning high power density PV cells into devices.

Ambient’s technology will also be on display at Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) booth #52014 integrated into the new UEI ETERNA remote control. Leveraging Ambient’s innovations, the ETERNA captures power from low-light conditions, such as those in living and bedrooms, to dramatically reduce the products’ environmental footprint by eliminating battery waste. The ETERNA has won the 2023 CES Innovations Award, Honoree, further demonstrating both UEI and Ambient’s leadership in sustainability.

To schedule a meeting with Ambient Photonics at CES 2023, visit ambientphotonics.com/ces.

About Ambient Photonics

California-based Ambient Photonics was founded in 2019 to bring low-light energy harvesting technology to mass scale. Ambient’s technology originally developed at the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, and funded at inception by Cthulhu Ventures LLC, is backed by leading investors like Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), Tony Fadell’s Future Shape and I Squared Capital. The company’s low-light solar PV cells deliver ground-breaking power density from a broader spectrum of ambient light, inspiring a new era in connected device form and function. Ambient works with leading global smart home and IoT device manufacturers on embedded solar cells to deliver superior design possibilities, performance, sustainability and consumer convenience. Explore endless power at: ambientphotonics.com.

Ambient EU HQ Dusseldorf SIGN Building

Ambient Continues Global Expansion with Opening of New European Headquarters

Scotts Valley, Calif., December 7, 2022 — Ambient Photonics announced today the opening of its first European office, located in Dusseldorf, Germany, to further support its consumer electronics and IoT customer base around the world. As global leaders in sustainability, Europe’s technology manufacturers are leveraging Ambient’s low-light indoor energy harvesting solar cells to decarbonize a range of electronic devices, including remote controls, tablets and sensors.

“One of the reasons Europe’s approach to sustainability is so successful is because it focuses on replacing traditional production processes with low carbon, low waste resources at every level of the supply chain,” said Ambient CEO Bates Marshall. “Ambient’s new European headquarters will provide local, hands-on service and engineering design support, which will deliver greater value to our European customers on their journeys to scrub emissions from their operations.”

Ambient’s European presence provides consumer electronics and IoT manufacturers with local contacts for integrating Ambient’s high power density PV cells into device designs. Eliminating the need for disposable batteries, Ambient’s novel solar cells address Scope 3 supply chain emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of electronic devices by up to 80 percent.

This expansion follows on the heels of the groundbreaking for Ambient’s 43,000-square foot, low-light solar cell manufacturing facility in Scotts Valley, California and recent $48.5 million Series A funding round.

To learn more about Ambient’s new first-of-its-kind production facility in California, watch the video: https://bit.ly/3XP0dIu.

About Ambient Photonics

California-based Ambient Photonics was founded in 2019 to bring low-light energy harvesting technology to mass scale. Ambient’s technology originally developed at the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, and funded at inception by Cthulhu Ventures LLC, is backed by leading investors like Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), Tony Fadell’s Future Shape and I Squared Capital. The company’s low-light solar PV cells deliver ground-breaking power density from a broader spectrum of ambient light, inspiring a new era in connected device form and function. Ambient works with leading global smart home and IoT device manufacturers on embedded solar cells to deliver superior design possibilities, performance, sustainability and consumer convenience. Explore endless power at: ambientphotonics.com.

Ambient Builds Low Light PV Cell Manufacturing Facility in Scotts Valley California

Ambient Breaks Ground on First-of-its-Kind Manufacturing Facility for Energy Harvesting Technology in California

Scotts Valley, Calif., November 3, 2022 — Ambient Photonics today celebrated the groundbreaking of its state-of-the-art, 43,000-square foot low-light solar cell manufacturing facility in Scotts Valley, California – one of the largest low-light indoor energy harvesting technology factories in the world. The company’s recent $48.5 million Series A funding and accelerated factory construction timeline position Ambient to serve the high demand for its novel technology. Ambient’s high power density solar cells enable connected device manufacturers to reduce the carbon footprint of their products by up to 80 percent by eliminating disposable batteries.

Ambient also recently opened its new headquarters in Scotts Valley and projects to employ over 100 full-time positions between the locations by this time next year.

“The legacy of battery waste in consumer electronics has become the barrier to achieving the dream of a connected, IoT world. Ambient’s technology addresses the growing environmental impact of disposable batteries head on,” said Ambient CEO Bates Marshall. “The Scotts Valley factory groundbreaking is a major milestone as we prove that both the U.S. and California can be leaders in the manufacturing of decarbonization technologies for the world.”

Ambient’s Fab 1 manufacturing facility in Scotts Valley will house the first-ever high-volume, fully-automated production line for low-light indoor solar cells utilizing state-of-the-art equipment from Manz AG, who also serves tech, automotive and e-mobility heavyweights across the globe. Ambient’s fully-automated production system leverages industrial printing processes to deposit its novel molecules on thin, durable glass substrates. Custom cells are swiftly deployable for integration into electronic devices at a price point for mass scale.

“Manz services the world’s largest manufacturing leaders, and Ambient’s investment in our highly-specialized production solutions proves their commitment to high-volume, high-quality production,” said Martin Drasch, CEO of Manz AG. “We are delighted to join Ambient in its journey of Smart Home and Internet of Things market innovation.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Ambient Photonics to Scotts Valley. Ambient brings quality jobs to Santa Cruz County with an appealing work-life balance – avoiding the stressful traffic jams and unnecessary air pollution that comes with a Silicon Valley commute,” said Scotts Valley Mayor Donna Lind. “Living sustainably is fundamental to the health and well-being of our community. Ambient’s work to reduce waste and carbon emissions in our everyday devices is something of which we can all be proud.”

Ambient expects to begin deliveries from the new factory to high-volume consumer electronics and IoT customers in the first half of next year. Connected device manufacturers partner with Ambient to not only improve product sustainability but also address Scope 3 emissions from their supply chains. With planned rooftop and parking canopy solar PV systems, Ambient’s manufacturing facility will also be powered by clean, renewable energy.

Ambient’s solar PV cells offer breakthrough energy density, able to harness photons from across the indoor ambient light spectrum and power a range of electronic devices. To learn more about endless power and energy harvesting for connected devices, download the Ambient Technology Brief.

About Ambient Photonics

California-based Ambient Photonics was founded in 2019 to bring low-light energy harvesting technology to mass scale. Ambient’s technology originally developed at the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, and funded at inception by Cthulhu Ventures LLC, is backed by leading investors like Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), Tony Fadell’s Future Shape and I Squared Capital. The company’s low-light solar PV cells deliver ground-breaking power density from a broader spectrum of ambient light, inspiring a new era in connected device form and function. Ambient works with leading global smart home and IoT device manufacturers on embedded solar cells to deliver superior design possibilities, performance, sustainability and consumer convenience. Explore endless power at: ambientphotonics.com.

Contact

Christine Bennett for Ambient Photonics

Ambient $31M Series A Co-Led by Amazon through its Climate Pledge Fund and Ecosystem Integrity Fund

Mill Valley, Calif., May 10, 2022Ambient Photonics today announced it has raised a $31 million Series A financing, led by Amazon via its Climate Pledge Fund and Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), with Tony Fadell’s Future Shape and I Squared Capital participating. With this financing, Ambient will build the world’s largest U.S.-based low-light solar cell production facility. The facility’s fully automated production line and capacity for tens of millions of units per year will enable Ambient to scale its low-cost, high-power density solar cells to mass market adoption.

“The future of IoT and connected devices is energy harvesting, and that future requires massive scale,” said Ambient CEO Bates Marshall. “This financing empowers us to deliver our industry leading technology to some of the world’s highest volume IoT device manufacturers with significant decarbonization impact. We’re opening up entirely new possibilities for products that are designed from the ground up from more sustainable energy sources.” 

Ambient’s first-of-its-kind low-light energy harvesting photovoltaic (PV) technology generates as much as three times more power than conventional technology, harvesting energy across the entire light spectrum – including both artificial and natural light. By eliminating disposable batteries or reducing rechargeable battery mass, Ambient’s world leading IoT and smart home device partners, like Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI), are able to offer their customers significant operational and environmental benefits. This not only reduces landfill waste but also the carbon footprint of battery-powered devices by up to 80 percent.

“EIF invests in innovations that help industry leaders solve tough sustainability and business problems at scale. We believe Ambient has the potential to catalyze more sustainable systems across growing global industries, including consumer electronics, smart home and IoT.  Ambient’s technology offers the first viable solution to cost-effectively power these devices with clean, renewable energy,” said Sasha Brown, partner at EIF

In keeping with its plans to scale low-light energy harvesting production facilities, Ambient will also continue to progress its Part II application for a $162 million loan guarantee under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program. The facilities are projected to generate hundreds of local U.S. jobs while contributing to transformative reductions in Scope 3 emissions. These indirect emissions within a company’s supply chain often represent the majority of organizational emissions. Reducing Scope 3 emissions provides one of the largest sustainability opportunities for the world’s connected device manufacturers, while also creating resilience against potential future regulations. 

“Disposable batteries are both a consumer inconvenience and a significant environmental problem,” stated Matt Peterson, director of The Climate Pledge Fund at Amazon. “We are excited that through The Climate Pledge Fund we will invest in Ambient to help in their path toward creating innovative solutions to decrease the carbon footprint of battery-operated devices across industries.”

“IoT sensors are everywhere. And each one has a battery that gets replaced and added to toxic trash,” said Tony Fadell, Nest founder and author of Build. “Ambient Photonics’ revolutionary low light solar cells bring us within reach of the Holy Grail: a batteryless, wireless IoT network.”

To discover more about endless power for connected devices, download the Ambient Technology Brief here: ambientphotonics.com/technology.

About Ambient Photonics

Ambient Photonics was founded in 2019 in California to bring low light energy harvesting technology to mass scale. Ambient’s technology was originally developed at the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry and funded since inception by Cthulhu Ventures LLC. The company’s low light solar PV cells deliver ground-breaking power density from a broader spectrum of ambient light, inspiring a new era in connected device form and function. Ambient works with leading global smart home and IoT device manufacturers on embedded solar cells to deliver superior design possibilities, performance, sustainability and consumer convenience. Explore endless power at: ambientphotonics.com

Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry

 

Contact

Christine Bennett for Ambient Photonics

Eterna Remote Powered by Ambient Cell

Ambient Photonics Named a Finalist for 2022 SXSW Innovation Awards

Mill Valley, Calif., March 7, 2022 — Ambient Photonics has been recognized among the most exciting tech development companies in the connected world by being named a finalist for the 24th annual SXSW Innovation Awards, taking place Monday, March 14 at 6:00 pm CT (5:15 pm pre-event networking mixer) at the Austin Convention Center (Ballroom D) during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals (March 11-20, 2022). Ambient Photonics is a finalist under the Smart Cities, Transportation & Delivery category for its revolutionary low-light energy harvesting solar technology, which harvests photons from indoor and outdoor ambient light to continually power IoT (internet of things) electronic devices without disposable batteries.

“The vision of ubiquitous connected devices relies on continuous, sustainable power. Ambient was established to empower device manufacturers to eliminate the financial and environmental burden of replaceable batteries, and together we are unlocking IoT viability at scale,” said Ambient CEO Bates Marshall. “We are honored to be recognized by SXSW for creating the world’s most powerful low-light energy harvesting PV cells — making endless power for IoT electronics a reality for the first time.”

In advance of the Awards Ceremony, finalists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at the Innovation Awards Finalist Showcase on Saturday, March 12, 12 pm-6 pm CT, at the JW Marriott Downtown Austin (Griffin Hall). At the showcase, Ambient will have the newest and most sustainable platform of voice remote controls in their booth from Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) for visitors to experience. Recently launched at CES 2022, the UEI ETERNA Platform remote will integrate Ambient’s unique high-density low-light harvesting technology that delivers up to three times more energy density. The UEI platform may eliminate the need for battery replacement in its products while reducing its global CO2 footprint.

“By partnering with Ambient, we plan to bring our customers our most environmentally-friendly voice remote control to-date,” said Menno Koopmans, SVP of global sales and marketing at UEI. “As UEI has shipped more than 100 million voice remotes already, we believe by upgrading our TV, streaming and TV service provider customers to this unique energy harvesting technology, we demonstrate our commitment to sustainability through saving the planet from tons of battery waste and helping reduce CO2 emissions.”

“SXSW is thrilled to honor this year’s most innovative projects and give each finalist the opportunity to showcase their inventions to all SXSW attendees through interactive demos at the Finalist Showcase,” said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer.

Of hundreds of applications submitted, the Ambient Photonic low-light energy harvesting technology was one of 65 finalists selected across 13 categories by a panel of judges composed of industry peers and experts. Each entry was graded on four criteria: creativity, form, function and overall experience. The winners in each of the 13 categories, plus additional honors will be awarded at the 24th annual SXSW Innovation Awards on Monday, March 14, 2022.

For more information about the SXSW Innovation Awards and to view the complete list of 2022
finalists, visit www.sxsw.com/awards/innovation-awards/.

About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin,
Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. An essential destination for global professionals, the event features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2022 will take place March 11-20, 2022. For more information, please visit sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit sxsw.com/attend.

About Ambient Photonics
Ambient Photonics was founded in 2019 in California to bring low light energy harvesting technology to mass scale. The company’s low light solar PV cells deliver ground-breaking power density from a broader spectrum of ambient light, inspiring a new era in connected device form and function. Ambient works with leading global smart home and IoT device manufacturers on embedded solar cells to deliver superior design possibilities, performance, sustainability and consumer convenience. Explore endless power at: ambientphotonics.com.

About Universal Electronics Inc.
Founded in 1986, Universal Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ: UEIC) is the global leader in wireless universal control solutions for home entertainment and smart home devices. We design, develop, manufacture, ship and support control and sensor technology solutions and a broad line of universal control systems, audio video accessories, and intelligent wireless security and smart home products. Our products and solutions are used by the world’s leading brands in the video services, consumer electronics, security, home automation, climate control and home appliance markets. For more information, visit www.uei.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development, delivery and market acceptance of products and technologies identified in this release; the successful development and manufacturing of underlying technologies by Ambient, the ability of UEI to purchase the Ambient PV cell products identified in this release in the quantities anticipated by management; the continued penetration and growth of battery-less and self-powered technology and other products and technologies identified in this release; and other factors described in UEI’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results that UEI achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. UEI undertakes no obligations to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

Ambient Invited to Phase 2 $162M DOE Loan Program

Ambient Invited to Phase 2 of $162M DOE Loan Program

Ambient Photonics Invited to Submit Part II Application for Proposed $162 Million From DOE’s Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program

Mill Valley, Calif., December 21, 2021 — Ambient Photonics today announced that it has been invited to submit a Part II Application for a loan guarantee under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program. The proposed $162 million loan guarantee from the DOE would support the development of a large-scale U.S.-based low-light solar cell production facility. With a fully automated production line and capacity for tens of millions of units per year, Ambient’s facility will be the largest low-light energy harvesting technology factory in the world. Construction and operation will create hundreds of jobs for U.S. workers and contribute to transformative reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Energy harvesting is one of the most significant technological advancements of our lifetime,” said Ambient CEO Bates Marshall. “Ambient is producing the most advanced energy harvesting technology in the world and developing a high-volume manufacturing project in the U.S. would demonstrate America’s leadership in this technology of the future.”

Ambient’s customers are many of the largest IoT and smart home device companies in the world who integrate Ambient cells into their connected devices to eliminate the costs, inconveniences and waste associated with replaceable batteries. Ambient technology generates as much as three times more power than traditional amorphous silicon cells and is the only energy harvesting technology able to harness photons across the entire light spectrum, yielding more than 90 percent photon conversion efficiency in low-light conditions.

Employing a breakthrough industrial solar printing process, Ambient’s unique manufacturing approach efficiently and cost effectively produces made-to-order solar photovoltaic cells of any size, deployable in electronics with virtually any shape or structure. Ambient’s printing process coats its proprietary chemistry on thin, durable glass substrates to allow for rapid scale commercialization. The planned Ambient facility is estimated to eliminate tens of thousands of metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. In addition to eliminating the waste of disposable batteries, Ambient technology also reduces the carbon footprint of battery-powered devices by up to 80 percent.

About Ambient Photonics

Ambient Photonics was founded in 2019 in California to bring low light energy harvesting technology to mass scale. The company’s low light solar PV cells deliver ground-breaking power density from a broader spectrum of ambient light, inspiring a new era in connected device form and function. Ambient works with leading global smart home and IoT device manufacturers on embedded solar cells to deliver superior design possibilities, performance, sustainability and consumer convenience. Explore endless power at: ambientphotonics.com.

DOE Loan Guarantee

DOE’s invitation to submit a Part II application is not an assurance that DOE will invite an applicant into the due diligence and term sheet negotiation process, that DOE will offer a term sheet to an applicant, that DOE will issue a loan guarantee, or that the terms and conditions of a loan guarantee will be consistent with terms proposed by an applicant. The foregoing matters are wholly dependent on the results of DOE review and evaluation of a Part II Application, and DOE’s determination whether to proceed.

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Contact
Christine Bennett for Ambient Photonics
christine@cleantechcommunication.com | +1 925.330.4783