Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2010 -- MicroLink Devices, Inc. (http://www.mldevices.com), a Niles, IL-based semiconductor manufacturer, has been awarded a $5 million grant from the State of Illinois to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant to produce high efficiency, light weight solar cells.

“We are thrilled with, and humbled by, this award,” says MicroLink President and CEO Dr. Noren Pan. “It says a lot about the potential for our technology to contribute to the important role that solar energy must play in the future of the U.S.”

MicroLink’s proprietary epitaxial lift off manufacturing process (ELO) allows their high efficiency solar cells to be more competitive with existing lower efficiency products.

The award was granted by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Funding was provided by the United States’ American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Renewable Energy Production Program.

About MicroLink Devices, Inc (MLD)
Since 2000, the epitaxial wafers produced by MicroLink have been an essential component in the high speed communication industries. This ISO 9001 Certified company has been a federal contractor of transistors, lasers and solar cell projects for the past six years. They have also collaborated on research and development projects with many of the initiatives becoming widely-used commercial products.

Dr. Pan has been a member of Presidents Advisory Committee since 2005.