Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEMCO) selects Varioptic’s electrowetting technology for its camera module products

World Premiere at CeBIT (March 18-24, 2004)

SEMCO to unveil electrowetting lens demonstration of fully running hard-coded auto-focus camera module

Hannover, Germany; 18 March 2004
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co (SEMCO - www.sem.samsung.com), a major global player in electronic components industry, and Varioptic (www.varioptic.com) a pioneer in electrowetting technology, have signed a collaborative agreement for the joint development of the advanced liquid lenses based on Varioptic?s patented technology, which is being applied to SEMCO’s auto-focused camera module.

A fully implemented auto-focus camera module demonstration with liquid lenses and electrowetting driver IC will be shown at Cebit on SEMCO?s booth (Hall #13, booth #B24)

Varioptic?s technology is the result of a 10 years research at Universit? Joseph Fourier and at Ecole Normale Sup?rieure de Lyon. The founder and inventor of the technology is Bruno Berge, former research scientist at CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) and then professor at Ecole Normale Sup?rieure de Lyon.

?SEMCO has chosen Varioptic as a technology source of liquid lens, which provides unique strength of auto-focus function for high resolution Camera module in the mobile industry. With this technology, we are developing camera modules targeting for mobile phone and PDA for the world-class mobile phone companies.?
(Mr. Hong, V.P. of SEMCO)

?SEMCO - one of the leaders in the camera module market ? partnered early on with us and invested in the Varioptic?s electrowetting technology, daring to take brand-new technology into its camera module products. The successful collaboration between SEMCO and Varioptic allowed us to turn electrowetting theory and technology for our patented lens application into actual products rapidly.?
(Mr. Paillard, CEO of Varioptic)

About Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co.
Since its foundation in 1973 as a subsidiary of Samsung Group in the electronic industry, Samsung Electro-Mechanics has positioned one of the leaders of the electronic field in 21st century. With the beginning of new era, the company is focusing on digital components for mobile industry as a ?solution provider?.
For further information, please visit the website: www.sem.samsung.com

About Varioptic
Varioptic pioneers in designing and manufacturing electrically controlled optical liquid lenses for optical designers. In order to maintain its technology leadership, Varioptic heavily invests in R&D for the further development of innovative products for various applications.
For further information, please visit the website: www.varioptic.com