founded the company in 1971 to commercialize a revolutionary new crystal growth technology, the Heat Exchanger Method (HEM). He has commercialized HEM for growth of large, high-quality sapphire crystals and adapted HEM for growth of Ti:sapphire crystals and multicrystalline ingot growth for solar energy. To complement crystal growth, he developed the Fixed Abrasive Slicing Technology (FAST) and for over 30 years has directed this groundbreaking development program for slicing ceramics, semiconductor and photonic crystals more effectively. FAST has been introduced to the marketplace for slicing hard and expensive materials, adding significant advantage to the company’s position in the emerging LED market.

From Crystal Systems’ inception, Schmid has put significant emphasis on development of markets for CSI’s new product developments. Today, Crystal Systems is recognized as a world leader for production of HEM Sapphire and Ti:Sapphire crystals, FAST slicing and its Silicon technology developments for solar energy.

Schmid holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lafayette College and before founding CSI earned his M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering with emphasis in materials from Northeastern University. He was enrolled in a PHD program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology while he was working at an Army Research Center where he developed the HEM process and chose to found CSI. He holds 20 U.S. and numerous foreign patents in solidification and slicing. Schmid has authored over 200 papers and has received the F.H. Norton Distinguished Ceramist Award from the New England Section, American Ceramic Society.

has many years of experience at Crystal Systems as LED Product Manager, Sales Manager, Director of Sales and currently COO. Kurt has an honors degree from Northeastern University in business which combines with his product and technology experience to position him perfectly to direct the sales and strategic marketing functions at CSI. Kurt utilizes his understanding of sapphire and Ti:sapphire material properties, current manufacturing technologies and market related trends to put CSI products in the right place at the right time. Kurt leads CSI's efforts to partner with the best customers and suppliers in order to create long-term success for all parties. Kurt has enjoyed a long career in high level, competitive athletics and applies the lessons learned in that arena to advancing CSI's position in today's high technology markets.

joined Crystal Systems in May of 2006 as Director of Operations, and based on his technical and business performance was quickly promoted to General Manager. Frank has an extensive background in operations and general management. Frank worked for an advanced electronics company for 13 years. He started as the Operations Manager for the New England units, and advanced to the company’s Business Manager. He worked nine years in the off-shore buoyancy industry where he was responsible for business units that included hollow glass microspheres for the aerospace and defense markets, buoyancy for the off-shore oil industry, as well as for deep sea submersibles, such as nuclear submarines and remotely operated vehicles (ROV’s). At this high technology company, Frank was a member of the senior management team that was responsible for the groups of companies worldwide. Frank’s experience in managing the operations of high technology companies will be an asset to furthering the success of Crystal Systems.