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Exxelia Ohmcraft Custom Resistors Enable Rapid COVID-19 Testing

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 26, 2020 — Exxelia Ohmcraft plays a crucial role enabling rapid testing amid the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as experts have said that widespread testing is critical to containing the spread of the virus and reopening cities.

Diagnostic medical device companies have been working tirelessly to develop testing solutions, particularly those that can provide rapid and reliable results. To make these test kits possible, manufacturers turned to Exxelia Ohmcraft—a leader in thick-film, high-voltage, high-precision resistor design and manufacturing

The new all-inclusive rapid testing solutions involve processing patient samples using a thermocycler, an instrument that is used to amplify DNA and RNA to identify COVID-19. The thermocyclers utilize high-ohmic-value, low-noise surface mount resistors from Exxelia Ohmcraft to function. The resistors were required to meet tight specifications, including a small form factor to enable the testing devices to be portable.

“Due to the current crisis, the customer was moving extremely quickly to get these test kits developed, produced, and into the hands of as many healthcare systems as possible. As a U.S. manufacturer with industry-leading lead times, Exxelia Ohmcraft was able to provide custom resistors essential to their mission,” said Eric Van Wormer, Vice President of Exxelia Ohmcraft. “We are proud to partner with companies committed to helping fight COVID-19.”

Exxelia Ohmcraft’s technology utilizes the proprietary Micropen electronic printing system to “print” precise, narrow, serpentine lines with resistive ink on a ceramic substrate, producing higher performance resistors over a wider range of values on a smaller surface area than is possible with conventional film resistor technology.

Published on 28 May 2020 by Stephane PERES

Exxelia Ohmcraft Custom Resistors Help Ensure Reliability of Most-Deployed Anti-Tank Missile in the World

In times of warfare, the reliability of military weapons is absolutely critical to the success of a mission. For nearly a decade, military contractors have leveraged Exxelia Ohmcraft’s custom, high voltage resistors and dividers to ensure product performance in a variety of military applications, including the FGM-148 Javelin—the most-deployed anti-tank missile in the world. In a variety of military applications, including the FGM-148 Javelin—the most-deployed anti-tank missile in the world.“Missiles are exposed to extreme climate conditions and often sit idle—sometimes for several years—before they are launched. When that time comes, it is essential for those missiles to perform as expected,” said Eric Van Wormer, Vice President of Exxelia Ohmcraft. “Exxelia Ohmcraft custom resistors are designed to support the rigorous precision and reliability specifications required by military suppliers to withstand the harsh environmental conditions, ensuring that the missile remains fully operational under all circumstances. Exxelia Ohmcraft performs a full range of military lot acceptance testing (LAT) on resistors as necessary, and works closely with military contractors to meet the design requirements for each particular application. In the case of the FGM-148 Javelin, a small, lightweight form factor was imperative to keep the missiles as lightweight and portable as possible. Exxelia Ohmcraft’s technology utilizes the proprietary Micropen electronic printing system to “print” precise, narrow, serpentine lines with resistive ink on a ceramic substrate, producing higher performance resistors over a wider range of values on a smaller surface area than is possible with conventional film resistor technology.

NASA's X-59 QueSST: Exxelia is on board

 If the program lives up to its promise, it could lead to the emergence of supersonic transport aircraft capable of flying over land, without the limitations imposed on Concorde in its day. For this project, Exxelia mainly produces coils from our US sites. Our components are intended for the aircraft engine.     With its elongated nose, its "humped" wings and its small scattered lifting surfaces, the X-59 is unlike any other aircraft. An exceptional configuration for exceptional capabilities. Credits: NASA   It will fly at a speed of 1.5 Mach (1.5 times the speed of sound), or more than 1,800 kilometers per hour. NASA hopes that its aircraft will eventually be used in civil aviation.   If the tests are successful, the X-59 QueSST could have two revolutionary effects on the U.S. and even the world's aeronautical landscape: The test aircraft could serve as inspiration for future mass-produced transport aircraft, whether airliners or business jets. The LBFD project as a whole could lead to an evolution of current aviation regulations. Rather than banning all civilian supersonic flights over the U.S., as is the case today, NASA is proposing to introduce noise-based regulation.   Credits : Lockheed Martin, NASA
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