Phononic Devices adds Bruce Sohn to Board of Directors

Former President of First Solar and 24-Year Intel Semiconductor Veteran

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phononic Devices, Inc. announced today it has added Bruce Sohn to its Board of Directors. Bruce was President of First Solar from February 2007 through April 2011 and served on the Company’s Board of Directors during the formative years of 2003-2009. During his tenure, corporate revenue grew annually from $135 million to more than $3.5 billion and the company became the largest photovoltaic module manufacturer and builder of utility scale solar power plants.

“Phononic’s promising technology and impressive team remind me of the early days at First Solar and I’m excited to be a part of the company”

“Phononic’s promising technology and impressive team remind me of the early days at First Solar and I’m excited to be a part of the company,” said Sohn. “Thermoelectrics could contribute significantly to a more energy efficient economy.”

Previously, Sohn was at Intel Corporation for 24 years where he played a leadership role in developing, engineering and manufacturing leading-edge semiconductor technologies. He is an engineering graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and currently chairs the US Commerce Department’s Manufacturing Council for the Obama administration and is a Clean Energy Ambassador to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Sohn joins fellow board members Matt Trevithick from Venrock, Brian Hinman from Oak Investment Partners, and Anthony Atti, Phononic Devices’ President and CEO. “Bruce’s semiconductor fab expertise and success in the cleantech sector will be invaluable to our team as we work towards commercialization of high efficiency, low cost, and manufacturing-friendly thermoelectric materials,” said Atti. “We’re excited to have Bruce on board at this exciting time for our company.”

About Phononic Devices

Phononic Devices, headquartered on Centennial Campus in Raleigh, North Carolina, is commercializing advanced thermoelectric materials and device concepts exclusively licensed from the University of Oklahoma designed to dramatically improve the efficiency of heat-to-electric energy conversion, and conversely, efficient use of electricity for cooling and refrigeration. Phononic Devices is funded by Venrock and Oak Investment Partners and was awarded a $3 million grant from ARPA-E in the inaugural funding solicitation. For more information visit: www.phononicdevices.com.