Exhibit 99.1
Akoustis Granted Foundational International and U.S. Patents
- Akoustis’ Innovative Patented Single Crystal Bulk ONE RF Filters Will Deliver Unprecedented Performance in 4G/LTE Mobile Wireless Smartphones –
Charlotte, N.C., June 16, 2016 – Akoustis Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AKTS) (“Akoustis” or the “Company”), a manufacturer of innovative Bulk ONE™ bulk acoustic wave (BAW) high band RF filters for mobile wireless, announced today it has been awarded multiple foundational patents related to its single crystal piezoelectric materials, novel BAW resonators, wide bandwidth RF filters and their application in mobile devices.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 9,362,887. Further, the China Patent Office (SIPO) has issued China Patent Nos. ZL 201520549840.3, ZL 201520566852.7 and ZL 201520652061.6.
A summary of each patent assigned to Akoustis is provided below:
US Patent No. 9,362,887 – Integrated circuit configured with two or more single crystal acoustic resonators resulting in BAW RF filter for a communication, mobile or computing device.
China Patent No. ZL 201520549840.3 – Wafer scale packaging for single crystal acoustic resonators and BAW RF filters.
China Patent No. ZL 201520566852.7 – Communication, mobile or computing device configured with single crystal acoustic resonators and BAW RF filters.
China Patent No. ZL 201520652061.6 – Membrane structure technique for fabrication of single crystal acoustic resonators and BAW RF filters.
The assignment of these four patents is a significant milestone for Akoustis. The patents establish the foundation of key intellectual property (IP) covering use of single crystal BAW resonator technology in RF filters for the mobile-wireless market. These newly issued patents are additive to previously announced exclusive IP rights licensed from University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Cornell University. Furthermore, the Company has additional US and International patent applications pending and will pursue such applications with the objective of receiving additional issued patents.
Commenting on the announcement, Jeff Shealy, CEO of Akoustis, stated, "The patents awarded solidify our IP position as a differentiated manufacturer of BAW RF filters for the high-growth mobile market. We will continue to build and strengthen our IP portfolio with the goal of creating a significant and meaningful barrier-to-entry for potential competitors utilizing single-crystal BAW resonator technology." Mr. Shealy added, "Our innovative approach will allow us to differentiate and compete in the high band RF filter market for 4G/LTE mobile and, we believe, to dominate emerging 5G Wi-Fi and 5G mobile communications markets."
On May 23, 2016, Akoustis reported unprecedented high band resonator bandwidth performance - achieving record-breaking 12.5% K-Squared performance from 3.4GHz BAW devices constructed from its patented, undoped single crystal AlN. Currently, the acoustic RF filter market is estimated to reach $12.5B by 2020 (Mobile Experts 2015 report) and is dominated by a select few semiconductor companies utilizing inferior polycrystalline piezoelectric material. Akoustis’ innovation in single crystal BAW technology will offer unprecedented performance in RF filters specifically targeting the more difficult high frequency, wide bandwidth 4G/LTE bands and beyond.
About Akoustis
Akoustis™ is a high-tech RF filter solutions company that manufactures its unique, patent-pending Bulk ONE™ technology to produce single-crystal bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filters for the mobile-wireless industry, which facilitate signal acquisition and accelerate band performance between the antenna and the back end of mobile devices. Its Bulk ONE™ technology will service the fast growing multi-billion dollar market of device OEMs, network providers, and consumers to diminish Front End phone heat, battery drain and signal loss -- all considered to be directly related to current RF polycrystalline filter technologies' limitations. Akoustis’ “fabless” business model is capital efficient, leveraging existing manufacturing infrastructure in the semiconductor industry. Akoustis™ is located in the Piedmont technology corridor between Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Forward-Looking Statements
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THESE MATERIALS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OF AKOUSTIS, INC., OR OF ANY OTHER ENTITY WHATSOEVER. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY BY ANY PARTY SHOULD BE IGNORED.
Akoustis Contact Information:
COMPANY:
Dave Aichele
Akoustis, Inc.
VP of Business Development
Main: 704-997-5735, ext. 106
Email: daichele@akoustis.com
INVESTORS:
The Del Mar Consulting Group, Inc.
Robert B. Prag, President
858-794-9500
bprag@delmarconsulting.com
or
Alex Partners, LLC
Scott Wilfong, President
425-242-0891
scott@alexpartnersllc.com