Energy Conversion Devices is engaged in activities ranging from product development to manufacturing and selling products as well as designing and building production machinery with an emphasis on alternative energy and advanced information technologies - specializing in photovoltaic cells. The company is also the parent of high-tech units involved in the energy and photonics industries. Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) makes products for power generation and storage, information storage, and packaging. It is focused on eco-friendly power cells and, through (93%-owned) Ovonic Battery and joint ventures, produces rechargeable NiMH batteries to power everything from consumer electronics to vehicles. Joint venture United Solar makes sun-powered products for such uses as telecommunications and lighting. ECD is pioneering rewritable optical memory storage technology, which has been licensed to clients including Toshiba and Sony. It has also developed packaging used for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. In February 2012, Energy Conversion Devices Inc filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in Federal court. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company, also an SBIR awardee, was acquired by German chemical company BASF in Febuary 2012 as well.
