It's the end of an era.

We hope we look this good when we're 84.

Energy Conversion Devices (NASDAQ: ENER) today announced after market close that Stanford R. Ovshinsky, its co-founder, principal inventor, chief scientist and technologist, will retire as an active employee and director of the company effective August 31, 2007.

The 84-year-old had stepped down from an operational role back in March, after fifty years at the helm of the company he founded (see Stan Ovshinsky passes the baton at ECD Ovonics).

“Iris and I started ECD based on our shared vision of using science and technology to solve important societal problems, such as the increasing global demand for energy,” explained Ovshinsky on the founding of the company in 1960 with his wife, the late Dr. Iris Ovshinsky.

“Over the years, many of our ideas have become a reality and are being used by people all over the world.”

Ovshinsky says he plans to continue research and development activities, specifically on the further development of amorphous and disordered materials and other challenges.

He intends to maintain an office in the metro-Detroit area and says he'll continue to be available to ECD to advise on technical and scientific matters.

Ovshinsky's pioneering work enabled commercial products in energy generation, including thin-film triple-junction photovoltaics and building-integrated PV; energy storage, including Ovonic NiMH batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles and consumer applications and information technology, including phasechange
optical media and electronic memories.

He has also developed and patented roll-to-roll continuous
manufacturing technology for semiconductors (including photovoltaics) and other products.

In 1999, he was named a “Hero for the Planet” by Time magazine.