Lamina

Lamina Ceramics, founded in 2001, operated at the intersection of materials science and electronics, carving out a niche in solid-state lighting and advanced electronic components. The New Jersey-based company was a key player in the development and manufacturing of high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and specialized chips for the telecommunications sector. Its technological foundation was a proprietary process known as Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics on Metal (LTCC-M). This technique, which evolved from decades of research at Sarnoff Corporation, involved bonding unfired ceramic to metal, a method that provided significant advantages in thermal management and component design for electronic packaging.

The company's business model centered on supplying these advanced components to other manufacturers. Lamina's high-power LED light engines were integral parts in the solid-state lighting fixtures of over 100 companies, positioning it as a critical enabler in the shift from traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Its LTCC-M technology was particularly valuable for creating more robust and efficient electronic and communication components. Revenue was generated through the sale of these specialized products, including LED light engines like the TitanTurbo™ and the SōL™ MR16, a direct replacement for 20-watt halogen bulbs that consumed less than half the power. The company attracted investment from venture capital firms such as Morgenthaler Venture Partners, Sarnoff Corporation, Easton Capital, CDI Equity Capital, and RedShift Ventures.

Lamina's product portfolio showcased its technical capabilities. The company consistently developed record-breakingly bright LEDs. A notable product was the Lamina SōL™ MR16, an integrated LED lamp that combined a high-power light source, lens, and thermal heat sink into a standard MR-16 form factor, allowing for easy retrofitting into existing fixtures. Another significant achievement was the TitanTurbo™ LED Light Engine, which surpassed the performance of a 75-watt incandescent bulb. The core of its electronics packaging business was the LTCC-M technique, which allowed for the creation of highly integrated, multi-layer circuits within a compact, hermetic, and monolithic ceramic structure, offering a more compact and reliable alternative to traditional circuit designs.

Keywords: Lamina Ceramics, Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics, LTCC-M, LED light engines, solid-state lighting, semiconductor packaging, thermal management, ceramic substrates, high-power LEDs, electronic components, telecommunications chips, Sarnoff Corporation, Frank Shinneman, advanced manufacturing, venture capital, materials science, LED technology, lighting components, circuit integration, electronics manufacturing