INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC. ANNOUNCES $400,000 SBIR AWARD FROM NIST FOR RESEARCH INTO HIGH-VOLUME PRINTED SENSOR MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES

Recognizes Company as an innovation leader in gas sensor manufacturing

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Interlink Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: LINK), a world-leading provider of sensors and printed electronic solutions that support a wide range of applications, including Human-Machine Interface ("HMI") and IoT devices, is pleased to announce that its Gas and Environmental Solutions division has received a $400,000 SBIR Phase II award from the Department of Commerce National Institute for Standards and Technology ("NIST") for research into Materials for Gravure Printing of Chemical Gas Sensors.

Interlink pioneered the development of printed electro-chemical gas sensors and has been shipping to customers in various application areas for nearly 10 years. The next challenge is to grow sensor production output to over 10 million per year to serve and enable new, higher volume markets.  This award will allow us to continue our innovative Phase I research and develop the production techniques needed to manufacture sensors to meet this increased demand. 

"This research grant aims to bridge the current manufacturing gaps to meet large scale printed sensor demand in consumer applications," said Dr. Sreeni Rao, General Manager of the Gas and Environmental Solutions Division. "Advanced roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing and high-speed printing are critical enablers for high-volume, mass production. This grant will enable us to develop the suite of automated production tools and testing techniques necessary to produce cost effective, lower-profile sensors in high volumes without sacrificing performance."

"Our rich history of successful innovation and commercialization of printed electronics along with our exceptional technical team will enable us to develop the advanced manufacturing solutions necessary to support sensor demands in the emerging Trillion Sensor Universe," said Steven N. Bronson, Chairman, President and CEO of Interlink Electronics. "Our cost-effective, small form factor, mass-produced gas sensors will enable new applications and products that enhance human health, safety and wellbeing."

About Interlink Electronics, Inc.

Interlink Electronics is a world-leading provider of sensors and printed electronic solutions that support a wide range of applications, including Human-Machine Interface ("HMI") devices and IoT solutions, utilizing our expertise in materials science, manufacturing, firmware and software to produce in-house system solutions for custom specifications. We have a proven track record of supplying mission-critical technological solutions in diverse markets including medical devices, automotive, gas detection and environmental quality monitoring, oil and gas and general industrial, and consumer electronics, providing standard and custom-designed sensors that provide the flexibility and functionality needed for today's sophisticated applications.

The Company's products and solutions currently focus on three main fields:

• For nearly 40 years, the Company has led the printed electronics industry in commercializing its patented Force Sensing Resistor® technology, which offers pressure and position sensing and rugged capabilities in a very wide range of temperatures. Our piezoelectric film sensors offer strain, bend and vibration sensing and can be used on curved surfaces, while our advanced matrix sensor solutions offer multiple touch capabilities. We supply some of the world's top electronics manufacturers with intuitive sensor and interface technologies for use in advanced applications such as medical robotics and vehicle collision detection.
  
  
• Our Gas and Environmental Sensors division has over 25 years of experience in cutting-edge design and manufacture of electrochemical gas-sensing technology for industry, community, health and home. We provide advanced sensor solutions, precision sensing instruments, and custom engineering services for detecting gases such as carbon monoxide, ozone, hydrogen, NOX gases and ammonia, for transdermal alcohol detection and for air quality monitoring. Our innovative printed sensor design enables high-sensitivity, low-power and cost-effective solutions for broad adoption in the rapidly growing IOT market.
  
  
• Our Calman Technology subsidiary brings over 25 years of experience in the design and manufacture of membrane keypads, graphic overlays, and industrial label products. We offer IP-rated digital and hybrid printed devices featuring integrated backlighting and shielding and printed electronics with advanced materials ink printing. Calman has customers in fields such as medical devices and defense technologies and gives the Company a base in Europe.

We serve our international customer base from our corporate headquarters in Irvine, California; our Global Product Development and Materials Science Center and distribution and logistics center in Camarillo, California; our advanced printed-electronics manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen, China, and Irvine, Scotland; and our proprietary gas-sensor production and product development facility in Newark, California.

For more information, please visit InterlinkElectronics.com.

About NIST

NIST was founded in 1901 with a mission of promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.  NIST's vision is to be the world's leader in creating critical measurement solutions and promoting equitable standards. Through its efforts it stimulates innovation, fosters industrial competitiveness, and improves the quality of life.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was originally established in 1982 with the goal of strengthening the role of innovative small business concerns in Federally funded research or research and development.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be generally identified by phrases such as "thinks," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," and similar words. Forward-looking statements in this press include statements about our acquisition program, our projected revenue and earnings growth, and the effects of recent acquisitions, including contributions to our products, manufacturing operations and the markets we serve. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statement. These statements are based upon, among other things, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, including management's own knowledge and assessment of the company's industry, R&D initiatives, competition and capital requirements. Other factors and uncertainties that could affect the company's forward-looking statements include, among other things, the following: our success in predicting new markets and the acceptance of our new products; efficient management of our infrastructure; the pace of technological developments and industry standards evolution and their effect on our target product and market choices; the effect of outsourcing technology development; changes in the ordering patterns of our customers; a decrease in the quality and/or reliability of our products; protection of our proprietary intellectual property; competition by alternative sophisticated as well as generic products; continued availability of raw materials for our products at competitive prices; disruptions in our manufacturing facilities; risks of international sales and operations including fluctuations in exchange rates; compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to our manufacturing operations; and customer concentrations. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements are under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our most recent Annual Report (Form 10-K) or Quarterly Report (Form 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Interlink Electronics, Inc.
[email protected]
Steven N. Bronson, CEO
805-623-4184

SOURCE Interlink Electronics