Peak Pulse

internal newsletter

As we close out 2024, we are excited to share the highlights and key achievements from the last quarter and a look forward to the next quarter.

Table of Contents:

• Message from Leadership
• Defense Optics and Energy Films Status
• Research and Development
• ERP Platform Project
• Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S): Leadership Announcement
• Peak AI Software 
• Events
• New Marketing Resources
• Peak Comics
• Peak Holidays
• People and Culture

Message From Leadership

Peak is on the brink of significant growth in the government sector, in optics and films, with new opportunities emerging across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Our strengthened ties with national laboratories (Sandia, Lawrence Livermore, Oakridge), government agencies (Department of Defense, Department of Energy), and congressional leadership are pivotal to Peak and our future success.  

The promotion of Adin Pfeuffer to the role of VP of Government Affairs is a pivotal step in our growth strategy. Adin, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in government affairs, will play a key role in sharpening our government policy efforts, optimizing our revenue from grants and budget allocations, and facilitating the expansion of our capabilities at Peak Optics and Films through programs like the Department of Energy Loan Program office and the Defense Protection Act Title III, which are designed to foster US-based manufacturing.

Adin’s promotion is a testament to our unwavering commitment to expanding our reach. It is a strategic move as we strive to amplify Peak’s impact in the government space. Congratulations to Adin—his leadership and vision will be instrumental as we pave the way for future success!

Defense Optics Status 

Mil Std 810G: TMil Std 810G testing progress

Test house options have been identified for our 810G testing. One of them will test our EVT units, including environmental tests such as temperature extremes, temperature-altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, fungus, sand/dust, and vibration. This testing will demonstrate the robustness of the Peak optical system to the Department of Defense (DOD).

Wolf and Coyote in-line testers:

A small team of Peak Nano experts has completed the design work for our Wolf and Coyote in-line testers. The parts needed to build them have been identified and will be purchased accordingly.

Energy Films Status

Exciting Milestone Reached: First LDF Capacitors Produced at Exxelia!

We are thrilled to announce that our first LDF capacitors have been successfully produced at Exxelia! This significant milestone, marked by the first unit coming off the end spray machine and delivering promising results in preliminary testing, is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication.

While further high-temperature and life cycle tests are underway, this progress is a major victory for us all!

Phase II Commercial Satellite Reflective Film Project Awarded

A commercial project to design and scale up optically reflective, biaxially oriented nanolayered films for communication satellites was awarded in Q3. The next phase, running through Q2 2025, will deliver scaled quantities of biaxially oriented Nanoplex films (see image below) in continuous rolls. These will be laminated onto satellite surfaces for field testing and qualification. 

The Nanoplex film is uniquely designed to reflect and redirect light away while enabling longer operation times than previously due to overheating electronics.  

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Patents

U.S. patent 18/430,123, entitled “Multilayered high-temperature dielectric film,” has been achieved. The patent will protect Peak Nanoplex LDF biaxially oriented capacitor film products for applications including electric vehicles, renewable solar and wind energy harvesting, and magnetic fusion applications.  

🎉  Congratulations to Zahidul Wahab, Mason Wolak, Mike Ponting, and the collective PNF Development team!

U.S. Patent US-20240316887-A1 has recently been published. This patent will protect Peak IP “Manufacturing Process for GRIN Lenses assisted by AI” to accelerate optic designs. 

🎉  Congratulations to Mikey McLaughlin, Johann Veras, and Rich Lepkowicz as co-inventors and the AI/Software Development team!

ERP Platform Project

Peak ERP Platform: The selection and installation of ERP modules for Supply Chain (SC) and Finance in 2024 are underway.

• Current Status: SAP, MS Dynamics, and Oracle Netsuite are the top three candidates to be evaluated.

• Next Steps: Each of the three companies are preparing demonstrations that have been/will be reviewed by the Peak ERP Team

• Selection: Peak will choose the most qualified ERP provider.

• Implementation: An integration and ITAR partner will be identified to help implement the ERP modules. Modules not installed this year will be added in 2025. 

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S): Leadership Announcement

Mike Taylor — EH&S Leader

Mike Taylor has been appointed as the new EH&S Leader at Peak, responsible for implementing and enhancing our EH&S program.

Mike’s extensive experience in the National Safety Council’s Supervisors Safety program and USG Corporation’s Managing Safety program will greatly enhance our EH&S program.

EH&S Delivery Technologists

• Dion Smith – Hub: Dion, Peak’s longest-tenured EH&S representative, continues to bring valuable experience to the role.
• Shawnee Bowman - Roll & Hold: Shawnee, who has an Environmental Science degree, has graciously taken on additional responsibilities. 

We look forward to their contributions in strengthening our EH&S efforts.

Peak AI Software 

AI/ML Development 

Peak AI/ML development team continues to make significant progress in advancing and accelerating the lens manufacturing process. 

• Current Status: Continuing to train our GRIN Charge prediction AI model 

• Next Steps: wrapping up LOE-7 program, AI/ML in Advanced Manufacturing, to create an MVP AI/ML tool to advance the charge design process. 

• Looking ahead: Develop beta AI/ML charge design software app & create physical validation lens as part of the successor program, LOE-10  

AI & Software Collaboration with Development 

Peak's AI & Software teams, alongside Process Development, have developed SuperCharge, an advanced charge design tool that will reduce charge design time from months (manual) to days using ML (SuperCharge), ultimately to hours with AI+ML integration 

• SuperCharge automates and accelerates the previously manual design-for-manufacturing process for optical designs. 

• Using machine learning algorithms and a Peak-developed AI model, the tool integrates 3rd-party molding simulations to meet the goals of the LOE-7 program. 
  

Advancing predictive charge design through AI/ML is one step toward significantly accelerating design time for customer programs. Simultaneously, we are developing similar advancements for optical design. The upcoming milestones for charge design development include: 

• Enhancing AI models (v2 and beyond) to improve charge design performance further. 

• Physically validating SuperCharge-generated designs to ensure accuracy and reliability. 

• Developing in-house molding simulation software to provide the AI models with significantly more data. 

• Packaging SuperCharge as a beta tool for our designers to streamline the charge design process.

Past Events

WattsNext Webcast: Fusion Energy - A Trillion Dollar Market?

On August 27th, Peak kicked off the WattsNext Webcast series. The event included an array of attendees, including top minds from the Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, Sandia, ZAP, Amazon, Lockheed, Raytheon, General Atomics, Brookhaven, Congress, and several of Peak’s target customers and partners. This groundbreaking event sets the stage for future discussions and partnerships at Peak. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning!

NYC Climate Week

Monday, September 30th
Jefferies Conference: Scaling Fusion Energy - Industry & Investor Perspectives

Peak attended the Jefferies Conference in NYC, where leading investors and fusion startups shared the status of the fusion energy industry and investment-driving acceleration! 
Read the 10 Big Takeaways from The FIA & Jefferies Fusion Day blog to learn more about the future of Fusion Energy!

Upcoming Events

WattsNext Webcast: 5 Ways to Beat China

WattsNext's October 8th webcast has 75 registrants and is gaining!  We need your help to get the word out! You can share this event on your social channels using EveryOne Social. 

Join us for "5 Ways to Beat China - Winning the Fusion Race" on Tuesday, October 8th at 11:00 a.m. EST.

AUSA 2024
October 14th - 16th, Washington, DC

Peak will join Wilcox at the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) Annual Meeting, the largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America. Our Hawksight Optics will be featured. Invite your networks to visit Peak in Booth #3607.

Seattle Fusion Week
Monday, October 21st and Tuesday, October 22nd

Peak will present at Seattle Fusion Week on the future of fusion technology. They’ll cover the latest developments in the fusion industry, opportunities for clean energy innovation, and the race to dominate market share. 

ANVM
December 4th - 5th, Ft. Belvoir, VA

Peak will attend the Association Night Vision Manufactures' Annual event, which includes an opportunity to display Peak Optics. During this annual event, Col. Anthony Gibbs will host a panel discussion regarding the future of Defense Optics. 

Sponsored Events

Peak Whiskey and Wine Sponsorship

Peak is a sponsor of the Great Trail Council's Scouting America Whiskey and Wine Event, which supports the Boy Scouts of America! Great Trail Council Invites you to attend!

• When: Thursday, November 7, 2024
• Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Location: Himelright Lodge, 1212 Cuyahoga Street, Akron, Ohio 44313
• Cost: $75 per ticket
• Raffle Auction: Win unique Wine and Whiskey Top Shelf Baskets!

New Marketing Resources

• Blog: 10 Big Takeaways from The FIA & Jefferies Fusion Day
• Solution Brief: The AI Global Revolution Driving Power Grid Demand
• Video: Workforce: “Why Peak” Employee Interviews
• Video: Intern Poster Day: Intern and Co-op Interviews
• Video: How Peak Hawksight LGRIN Optics Are Made

Peak Comic Strip: Uncertainty Principle

Peak launched “Uncertainty Principle,” a cartoon designed to bridge the gap between complex scientific topics and everyday understanding. At the same time, it adds a humorous twist that resonates with Fusion enthusiasts, making light of the intricacies and ongoing challenges in the field.

Peak Holidays

• Veterans Day: Monday, November 11th, 2024
• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28th
• Day after Thanksgiving Day: Friday, November 29th
• SAVE THE DATE: Peak Holiday Party (more details coming soon)
  • Date: Friday, December 13th
  • Venue: Woodside Event Center at St. Michael’s
  • Time: 6:00 – 10:30 pm
• Christmas Eve: Tuesday, December 24th
• Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25th
• New Year’s Eve: Tuesday, December 31st

People and Culture

Anniversaries - Congratulations!!!!

• Tristan Greene - 6 Years
• Michael Cantwell - 5 Years
• Rosemarie Fisher - 3 Years
• Christopher Salamone – 3 Years
• Ervin Grant - 2 Year
• Collin Mills - 2 Years
• Karlie Ligore - 2 Years
• Trent Hutchison - 2 Years
• Deontee’ Moss - 1 Year
• Jamie Ramsey - 1 Year
• Nicholas Lorenzo - 1 Year
• Hannah Ratliff - 1 Year
• Cyndi Gutowski – 1 Year
• Bridget Mohney – 1 Year

New Hires – Welcome!!!!

• Joseph Hobbs
• Allyson Capadona
• Garrett Martin
• Sara Fedor
• Randal Elkins
• Sarah Pratt
• Craig Young
• Shuqin An
• Kyle Wylie

Interns/Co-ops – We are happy you are here!

• Austin Angell
• Logan Dillner
• Trenton Dailey 

Culture Committee

The Peak Culture Committee meets regularly and serves as your platform to actively contribute to making Peak a better, more inclusive workplace. Whether it's sharing ideas, addressing concerns, or proposing new initiatives, the committee is here to listen and act on your input. Your feedback plays a crucial role in shaping our work environment and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and respect.

Remember, your voice matters! You can submit your suggestions and thoughts either anonymously or openly through the buttons below. Together, we can continue building a workplace where everyone thrives.

Congratulations!

You made it to the end of the Peak Pulse! Be one of the first three employees to contact Cyndi Gutowski or Samantha Vazquez to receive Peak Swag! Each quarter we will hide an opportunity to win Peak swag in our newsletters and company updates. Be on the lookout and thank you for supporting the Peak Pulse!