Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.72

                                SEMX CORPORATION
                   INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AGREEMENT

In consideration of my at-will employment --and of my continued at-will
employment-- and my compensation, and the equipment, materials, facilities and
the Company's Confidential Information supplied to me, the Company and I
understand and agree that:

1.    RECORDS OF INVENTIONS AND WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP. I will keep complete and
      current written records of all Inventions and Works of Authorship
      (including illustrations, writings, mask works, software and computer
      programs) I make during the period of time I am employed by the Company
      and promptly and completely disclose all such Inventions and Works of
      Authorship in writing to the Company for the purpose of adequately
      determining the Company's rights in each such Invention and Work of
      Authorship. I will supplement any such disclosures to the extent the
      Company may request. If I have any doubt as to whether or not to disclose
      an Invention or Work of Authorship to the Company, I will disclose it. In
      this connection, I will not file any patent or copyright application
      relating to any Invention or Work of Authorship I make during the period
      of time I am employed by the Company without the prior written approval of
      the Company.

2.    OWNERSHIP OF INVENTIONS AND WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP. Each and every Invention
      and Work of Authorship I make during the period of time I am employed by
      the Company which (a) relates to the business of the Company or to the
      Company's actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, (b)
      results from any work I perform for the Company, or (c) relates to the
      Company's Confidential Information, is the sole and exclusive property of
      the Company and I will assign my entire right, title and interest in each
      such Invention or Work of Authorship to the Company, except those excluded
      from any obligation to assign to the Company as a matter of law existing
      at the time such Invention or Work of Authorship is made. If I assert any
      property right in an Invention or Work of Authorship I make during the
      period of time I am employed by the Company as provided by law, I will
      promptly notify the Company in writing.

3.    DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION OR WORK OF AUTHORSHIP AFTER TERMINATION. I will
      promptly and completely disclose in writing to the Company, all Inventions
      or Works of Authorship which I make during the one year immediately
      following the end of my employment with the Company which (a) relates to
      the business of the Company or to the Company's actual or demonstrably
      anticipated research or development, (b) results from work I performed for
      the Company, or (c) relates to the Company's rights in each such Invention
      or Work of Authorship. During this period I will not file any patent or
      copyright application relating to any such Invention or Work of Authorship
      without the prior written consent of the Company.

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      If I do not prove that I made the Invention or Work of Authorship entirely
      after leaving the Company's employment or if I do not prove that the
      invention or Work of Authorship does not in any way relate to my work
      assignment at the Company, to the Company's business, or to the Company's
      Confidential Information, the Invention or Work of Authorship shall
      conclusively be presumed to be the property of the Company. I acknowledge
      that the conditions of this paragraph are no greater than is necessary for
      protecting the Company's interests in the Company's Confidential
      information and in Inventions or Works of Authorship to which it is
      rightfully entitled. I agree to assign to the Company all of my interest
      in such Inventions or Works of Authorship belonging to the Company and I
      will execute any/all papers and do any/all acts which the Company
      considers necessary to secure to it any/all rights relating to such
      Inventions or Works of Authorship.

4.    COOPERATION WITH THE COMPANY. I will assist and fully cooperate with the
      Company in obtaining and maintaining the fullest measure of legal
      protection which the Company elects to obtain for Inventions and Works of
      Authorship in which it has a property right. I will execute any lawful
      document the Company requests me to execute relating to obtaining and
      maintaining legal protection for any said Invention or Work of Authorship
      (including, but not limited to, executing applications, assignments,
      oaths, declarations, and affidavits) and I will make myself available for
      interview, depositions and testimony relating to any said Invention or
      Work of Authorship, at the expense of the Company and at normal rate of
      compensation.

5.    PRE-EMPLOYMENT INVENTIONS OR WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP. On schedule A (an
      integral part of the Agreement on page 7) I have completely identified,
      without disclosing any trade secret or other confidential information,
      every Invention or Work of Authorship I made before my employment by the
      Company in which I have an ownership interest, and which is not the
      subject matter of an issued patent or printed publication at the time I
      sign this agreement.

      If I become aware of any projected or actual use of any such Invention or
      Work of Authorship by the Company, I will promptly notify the Company in
      writing of said use. Except as to the Inventions or Works of Authorship
      listed on Schedule A or those which are the subject matter of an issued
      patent or printed publication at the time I sign this Agreement. I will
      not assert any rights against the Company with respect to any Invention or
      Work of Authorship made before my employment with the Company.

6.    THE COMPANY'S CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. During the
      period of time I am employed by the Company and indefinitely thereafter
      with respect to Confidential Information which constitute trade secrets
      and for a period of five years after my employment with the Company
      terminates with respect to Confidential Information which does not

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      constitute trade secrets, I will not, directly or indirectly, use the
      Company's Confidential Information except in the furtherance of the
      Company's business nor will I disclose or disseminate the Company's
      Confidential Information to anyone who is not an officer, director,
      employee, attorney or authorized agent of the Company without the prior
      written consent of the Company, unless the specific item of the Company's
      Confidential Information is now in, or hereafter (through no breach of
      this Agreement) becomes part of the public domain; provided, however, I
      agree that none of the provisions of this Agreement including the
      foregoing exception for Confidential Information which becomes part of the
      public domain and the five year time period with respect to certain
      Confidential Information shall be construed to constitute: (a) a waiver by
      the Company of any of its right in, or to protect specific items of the
      Company's Confidential Information which constitute trade secrets, or (b)
      a release of or limit to my legal obligation not to disclose or
      misappropriate any such Company trade secrets, during or after my
      employment with the Company. I understand that such use, disclosure or
      dissemination of the Company's Confidential Information would become
      accessible to and reasonably be considered useful to a competitor of the
      Company or to a third party which would be assisted in becoming a
      competitor of the Company. I will execute any agreement relating to the
      protection of the Company's Confidential Information or the Confidential
      Information of any third party with whom the Company is under legal
      obligation to protect that third party's confidential information if the
      Company requests.

      I recognize the possibility that I might subsequently own or work for a
      business which directly or indirectly competes with the Company. I will
      not, without prior written consent of the Company, utilize any
      Confidential Information of the Company in any subsequent employment nor
      use, disclose or otherwise compromise the integrity of such Confidential
      Information.

      Without limiting the foregoing, for a period of one year after termination
      of my employment with the Company, I will not attempt to divert nor assist
      others to acquire any Company business by soliciting, contracting or
      communicating with any customer of the Company's products or services with
      whom I had contact during the year preceding termination of my employment.

      I acknowledge that all documents and tangible things embodying or
      containing the Company's Confidential Information are the Company's
      exclusive property. I have access to them solely for performing the duties
      of my employment for the Company. I will protect the confidentiality of
      their content and I will return all of them and all copies, facsimiles and
      specimens of them (including excerpts or portion thereof) and any other
      forms of the Company's Confidential Information in my possession, custody
      or control to the Company before leaving the employment of the Company.

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      I recognize that irreparable and incalculable injury will result to the
      Company, its business and property, in the event of a breach by me of the
      restrictions imposed by this Agreement. I therefore agree that in the
      event of any such breach, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to
      any other remedies and damages, to an injunction restraining further
      violation of such restrictions by me and/or by any other person for whom I
      may be acting or who is acting for me or in concert with me.

      If the Company is awarded an injunction or other remedy in connection with
      the enforcement of such restrictions, I further agree to pay all costs and
      expenses (including attorney's fees) reasonably incurred by the Company in
      such enforcement effort. I waive any requirement for security or the
      posting of any bond or other surety and proof of damages in connection
      with any temporary or permanent award of injunctive, mandatory or other
      equitable relief and I further agree to waive the defense in any action
      for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate. I WAIVE
      THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY SUCH ACTION.

      In the event that any of the provisions of this Paragraph 6 should ever be
      adjudicated to exceed the time, geographic, product or service, or other
      limitations permitted by applicable law in any jurisdiction, then the
      court shall have the power and shall reform the provisions of this
      Paragraph 6 in such jurisdiction to the maximum time, geographic, product
      or service, or other limitation permitted by applicable law.

      By entering into this Agreement, I acknowledge that: (I) I am familiar
      with the nature of the Company's business; (II) I have read and understand
      the nature and scope of the restrictions set forth in this Agreement; and
      (III) that the Company has invested and will continue to invest
      substantial effort and sums of money to develop and promote the Company
      products, services and goodwill together with Confidential Information. I
      THEREFORE ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPRESENT THAT THE SCOPE OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS
      ARE APPROPRIATE, NECESSARY AND REASONABLE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE
      BUSINESS, GOODWILL AND PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY AND WILL NOT PREVENT
      OR HINDER ME FROM EARNING A LIVING IN THE EVENT OF, AND AFTER, TERMINATION
      OF MY EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY.

7.    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT. I certify that I have
      not, and will not, disclose or use during my employment with the Company,
      any confidential information which I acquired as a result of any previous
      employment or under a contractual obligation of confidentiality before my
      employment by the Company.

8.    PRIOR RESTRICTIVE OBLIGATIONS. On schedule B (an integral part of this
      Agreement on page #7), I have completely identified all prior obligations
      (written and oral), such as confidentiality agreements or covenants
      restricting future employment, that I have entered into which restrict my
      ability to perform the duties of my employment for the Company. I

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      agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from all liabilities and
      expenses resulting from my failure to identify all my prior obligations.

9.    NOTICE TO FUTURE EMPLOYERS. For a period of one year immediately following
      the end of my employment by the Company, I will inform each new employer,
      prior or my employment, of the existence of this Agreement and provide the
      new employer with a copy of this Agreement. I further agree that the
      Company may, if it so desires, send a copy of this Agreement to, or
      otherwise make the provisions hereof known to, any such new employer.

10.   MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement binds my heirs, executors, administrators,
      legal representatives and assigns and inures to the benefit of the Company
      and its successors and assigns.

      Only a written amendment executed by both myself and the Company can
      constitute a waiver or modification of any provision of the Agreement.

      This Agreement becomes effective when I sign it, my obligations under it
      continue throughout the entire period of time I am employed by the
      Company, without regard to the business organization within the Company
      with which I am associated, and these obligations will continue after, and
      survive, the end of my employment by the Company. This Agreement replaces
      previous agreements relating to the subject matter of the Agreement and
      shall be deemed effective as of the first day of my employment by the
      Company just as though I had executed this Agreement on that first day
      except that such replacement shall not affect the rights and obligations
      of me or the Company arising out of any such prior agreement, which rights
      and obligations shall remain in effect for that purpose.

      If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any portion of the
      Agreement is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, then, subject to the
      provisions regarding reformation set forth in paragraph 6 hereof, that
      portion shall be considered to be removed from this Agreement and it shall
      not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of
      this Agreement and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full
      force and effect. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
      under, the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts
      of law rules.

11.      DEFINITIONS.

A.) "THE COMPANY" refers collectively to Semx Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, having a place of business at 1 Labriola Court, Armonk, NY 10504
and its predecessors, designees and successors and its past, present and future
operating companies, divisions, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and other
business units.

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B.) "THE COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" is any information used in the
Company's business which gives the Company an advantage over competitors who do
not know or use such information (for example, a formula, manufacturing process,
manufacturing equipment, proprietary compound, customer lists, marketing plans,
financial data, business data, etc.) and includes not only information
designated by the Company as confidential information but also the Company's
other trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information, or
confidential information entrusted to it;

C.) "Inventions" or "Works of Authorship" include not only inventions (whether
or not patentable) or Works of Authorship (whether or not copyrightable), but
also innovations, improvements, discoveries, ideas and all other forms of
intellectual property - whether or not any of the foregoing constitutes trade
secrets or other confidential or proprietary information; and

D.) "MAKE" OR " MADE", used in relating to Inventions or Works of Authorship
includes any one or any combination of (I) conception, (II) reduction to
practice, or (III) development of, any Invention or Work of Authorship and is
without regard to whether I am sole or joint inventor or author.

                                    Employee:

Dated:_______________________       _________________________________________
                                    Identified throughout this Agreement by
                                    the use of the first person singular)

                                    Printed Name:____________________________

                                    SEMX Corporation

Dated:_______________________       By:______________________________________
                                       Officer or Human Resources

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                                   SCHEDULE A

                PRE-EMPLOYMENT INVENTIONS AND WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP

Note: Please describe each such Invention and Work of Authorship you made prior
to your employment by the Company in which you have an ownership interest and
which is not the subject matter of an issued patent or printed publication at
the time you sign this Agreement. DO NOT DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

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                                   SCHEDULE B

                          PRIOR RESTRICTIVE OBLIGATIONS

Please identify all prior restrictive obligations (written and oral), such as
confidentiality agreements or covenants restricting future employment that are
in effect and which restrict your ability to perform the duties of employment
for the Company.

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EXHIBIT 10.73

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 1, 1999 between American Silicon Products
Incorporated, a Rhode Island corporation "American Silicon Products" or (the
"Company"), and SEMX Corporation (the Corporation), and Richard Brown (the
"Executive"), an individual residing at 211 Clafin Street, Belmont, MA 02178.

                                   WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ the Executive as its President and Chief
Executive Officer, an executive who should have influence in the direct
management of the business and should contribute, in part, to the Company's
commercial success.

WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to accept such employment for the inducements
and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, the Executive has signed the Company's Intellectual Property Agreement
or the Company has also bargained for the Executive simultaneously to execute
the Company's Intellectual Property Agreement, a copy of which is annexed hereto
as Exhibit A.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT:

     (a)  TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
          forth in this Agreement, the Company hereby employs the Executive, and
          the Executive agrees to be employed as the President and Chief
          Executive Officer. Subject to earlier termination as provided in
          Section 4 hereof, the term of the Executive's employment by the
          Company under this Agreement (the "Employment Term"), shall commence
          as of the date hereof, and shall continue for one year, renewing daily
          for a term of one year, which enables the Company and the Executive to
          avoid renegotiations as the terms of this Agreement are automatically
          extended until modified in writing or one of the parties hereto
          terminates this Agreement as provided in Section 4, or unless either
          party gives written notice of termination to the other of not less
          than 60 days prior to the expiration of the Employment Term then in
          effect. Any

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          extension shall be upon the same terms and conditions as set forth
          herein for the Employment Term hereunder except that the Base Salary
          as hereinafter defined for any extensions shall be the amount in
          effect at the end of the previous term.

          (b) DUTIES. The Executive will serve as the Company's President and
          Chief Executive Officer, and will perform the services and duties for
          the Company designated by the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer or
          his designee (the "Supervisor"), provided that such duties are
          reasonably consistent with Executive's responsibilities and status as
          the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. The Executive
          shall also, if elected in accordance with the By-Laws of the Company,
          serve as an Officer and/or Director of the Company or its affiliates
          without additional compensation and the Company shall indemnify
          Executive to the maximum extent allowable under law for his services
          as an Officer and/or a Director.

          (c) EXTENT OF SERVICES. During the Employment Term, Executive agrees
          to: (i) devote all of his/her business time, energy and skill to the
          business of the Company; (ii) use his/her best efforts to promote the
          interests of the Company; and (iii) discharge such executive and
          administrative duties consistent with his/her position as may be
          assigned to him/her by the Supervisor. Executive agrees that he/she
          will not work for any other profit making organization in a direct or
          indirect manner without the written consent of his/her Supervisor and
          the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

SECTION 2.  COMPENSATION

All compensation due Executive under this Agreement shall be payable by the
Company, whether the services rendered are for the Company or one of its
affiliates.

          (a) BASE SALARY. For services rendered by the Executive under the
          Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive an annual salary of One
          Hundred Fifty Thousand ($150,000.00) Dollars (the "Base Salary"). The
          Base Salary shall be earned and shall be payable in accordance with
          the Company's normal accounting and payroll practices and the Company
          may increase, but not decrease, the Base Salary at any time.

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          (b) BONUS.

          (i)  In addition to Executive's Base Salary, Executive may be paid an
               annual bonus by the Company for a calendar year period (the
               "Bonus Period") in such amount (the "Bonus Amount") as may be
               determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          (ii) The Bonus Amount, shall be paid to Executive no later than
               fifteen (15) days after the completion of the audit of the
               Corporation's financial statements for the Bonus Period.

          (iii) The Bonus Amount is due and payable to Executive if and only if
               Executive is in the employ of the Company on the last day of the
               Bonus Period; provided, however, that the Executive (or his/her
               estate) shall be entitled to a pro rated portion of the Bonus
               Amount (based on time elapsed) if executive: (a) dies, (b)
               becomes disabled (c) is terminated without Cause by the Company
               (defined below), or (d) exercises the Change of Control provision
               of Section 4(d) prior to the end of the Bonus Period. Executive
               shall not be entitled to any Bonus Amount for a calendar year in
               which Executive did not perform services for the Company or any
               affiliate regardless of the reason therefore or if the Board of
               Directors of the Company determines that performance targets
               established by it with sole discretion (subject to a test of
               reasonableness) were not accomplished for the period in question.

     SECTION 3. OTHER BENEFITS. During the Employment term, the Executive shall
     be entitled to the following benefits:

          (a) vacation time, three (3) weeks annually in accordance with the
          Company's policy for executives in effect as determined by the Company
          and consistent with the Executive completing his/her responsibilities;

          (b) participation in all employee group life, group health and other
          fringe benefit programs, including, but not limited to, any 401K plan,
          incentive compensation, performance unit, bonus, stock purchase or
          stock appreciation plans now or hereafter initiated or maintained by
          the

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          Company for officers of the Company for which Executive is eligible
          subject to the right of the Company to amend or terminate such plans;

          (c) reimbursement for all reasonable and properly documented expenses
          incurred or paid by Executive in connection with the performance of
          his/her duties hereunder and in accordance with the general expense
          reimbursement policy of the Company then in effect; and

          (d) use of a car to be leased by the Company or a $1,000 per month car
          allowance.

     SECTION 4. TERMINATION The Employment Term shall terminate upon any of the
     following occurrences; provided, however, that upon such termination the
     Executive shall be entitled to receive, as and when they would have been
     received in the ordinary course if such termination had not occurred, the
     unpaid portion of his Base Salary and other employee benefits as they shall
     have accrued and vested through the date of such termination for services
     rendered.

          (a) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE. Except as set forth in
          Section 4 (d) below, if the Executive voluntarily ceases to be
          employed by the Company before the end of the Employment Term, with or
          without the consent of the Company, then the Employment Term shall end
          without further action by either party hereto and all rights and
          obligations of the parties under this Agreement, except those set
          forth in the Intellectual Property Protection Agreement, shall
          terminate as of such date.

          (b) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Employment
          Term at any time for Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement,
          "Cause" shall mean;

               (i) the failure of Executive to perform his duties in all
               material respects provided that prior to termination Executive
               has been given an opportunity to remedy such dissatisfaction
               within thirty (30) days or, if such dissatisfaction is not
               subject to cure, the repetition of the act or omission which
               dissatisfied his/her Supervisor is repeated by Executive after
               Executive received such notice;

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               (ii) conviction of (A) any serious crime or serious offense
               involving misappropriation of money or other property of the
               Company, or (B) any felony; or

               (iii) Executive's use of narcotics, illegal drugs or controlled
               substances other than as prescribed by a licensed physician.

     c) TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Term, the Board
     of Directors of the Company reasonably determines that the Executive has
     been or will be incapable of fulfilling his obligations hereunder because
     of injury or physical or mental illness, for a period of more than three
     (3) consecutive months or six (6) months in an aggregate during any period
     of twelve (12) consecutive months, the Company may, upon written notice to
     the Executive, terminate the Employment Term upon thirty (30) days' written
     notice to the Executive, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

     (d) TERMINATION AFTER CHANGE IN CONTROL. This Agreement may be terminated
     by the Executive, if there is a Change in Control of SEMX Corporation or
     the Company. If, after a Change in Control, the Executive terminates this
     Agreement, the Executive will be entitled to the Severance Benefits. The
     terms Change in Control, and Severance Benefits are defined in Schedule 4D
     (attached hereto).

SECTION 5. GENERAL

          (i) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
          the Company and its successors and assigns and shall be binding upon
          and inure to the benefit of the Executive and his heirs, executors and
          administrators. If the Company assigns this Agreement, the assignee
          shall be required to expressly assume all obligations of the Company
          under this Agreement.

          (ii) The waiver by the Company or the Executive of a breach of any
          provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not be construed
          as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same provision or of any
          other provision of this Agreement.

          (iii) All notices, requests, demands and other communications
          submitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
          been duly given

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          if delivered by hand or by commercial overnight delivery service or if
          mailed by first class, registered mail, return receipt requested,
          postage and registry fees prepaid; and addressed; if to the Executive,
          to the address set forth in the first paragraph hereof, and if to the
          Company, to 1 Labriola Court, Armonk, New York, 10504, attention
          President.

          (iv) This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance
          with, and governed by, the laws of the State of New York without
          regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

          (v) This Agreement together with the Intellectual Property Protection
          Agreement and the Employees' Stock Option Plan Agreement incorporates
          the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the
          subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements relating to
          such subject matter. The invalidity of any section, provision or
          portion of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any other
          section, provision or portion of this Agreement, and each such
          section, provision or portion shall be enforced to the full extent
          permitted by law. This Agreement may not be modified or amended, or
          any term or provision hereof waived or discharged, except by a written
          instrument signed by the party against whom such amendment,
          modification, waiver, or discharge is sought to be enforced. The
          headings of this Agreement are for the purposes of reference only and
          shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. This Agreement
          may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall
          constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have dully executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

Dated:                                    American Silicon Products Incorporated
      -------------------
                                          By
--------------------------------            ------------------------------------
Richard Brown                                        Gilbert D. Raker, Chairman

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                                  SCHEDULE 4D
                                  DEFINITIONS

(I) "Change in Control" is defined as the occurrence of any of the following
events:

     (A) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning
     of Section 13(d)(3) or 14 (d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended (the "Exchange Act") (collectively, a "person) of beneficial
     ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
     Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than fifty (50%) percent of
     the then outstanding shares of common stock of SEMX (collectively, the
     "Outstanding Common Stock"), or a transfer or sale of more than fifty (50%)
     percent of the book value of the gross assets of SEMX measured at the time
     of such transfer or sale in one or more transactions, or a transfer or sale
     of more than fifty (50%) percent of the book value of the gross assets of
     American Silicon Products (the "Company"); provided, however, that the
     following shall not constitute a Change in Control:

          (i) Any acquisition by an underwriter (as such term is defined in
          Section 2 (11) of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended) for the
          purpose of making a public offering;

          (ii) Any acquisition by SEMX or by any entity controlled by SEMX;

          (iii) Any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
          sponsored or maintained by SEMX or by any entity controlled by SEMX;
          or

          (iv) Any transfer of assets to SEMX or any entity controlled by SEMX.

     (B) When individuals who are members of the Board of Directors of SEMX
     ("SEMX's Board") at any one time shall immediately thereafter cease to
     constitute a majority of SEMX's Board, or when a majority of SEMX's Board
     shall not consist of persons who were elected or nominated for election as
     directors with the approval of a majority of the present members of SEMX's
     Board in either case within two years of:

          (i) The completion of a tender offer or exchange offer for the voting
          stock of SEMX (other than a tender off or exchange offer by SEMX) or a
          proxy contest in connection with the election of members of the SEMX's
          Board; or

          (ii) A merger or consolidation of SEMX (other than with SEMX or an
          entity controlled by SEMX).

(II) Severance Benefits are defined as if, subsequent to a Change in Control,
this Agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause (and not for
Disability), or by the Executive, for any

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reason, then the Executive shall be entitled to the following Severance Benefits
in lieu of any other rights or alleged damages:

     (A) The Company shall pay the Executive his full Base Salary through the
     date of termination at the rate in effect at the time notice of termination
     is given (or at the date of termination, if higher) and any bonus for a
     past calendar year which has not yet been awarded or paid to the Executive
     under any Incentive Plan;

     (B) the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to the annual
     incentive award earned by the Executive under any Incentive Plans in the
     calendar year ending as of the December 31st immediately preceding the date
     of termination, pro rated to the Date of Termination.

     (C) In lieu of any further salary payments to the Executive for periods
     subsequent to the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay as severance
     to the Executive a lump sum amount equal to the Executive's Base Salary as
     of the date of the Change in Control (or at the date of termination, if
     higher) for a period of one (1) years;

     (D) Except as otherwise provided herein, any Severance Benefits payable
     under this paragraph shall be paid in full in a lump sum not more than
     sixty (60) days following the date of termination. If the Company shall
     default in the payment of any such sum when due, the interest shall accrue
     on the balance of the payments due hereunder at the rate of fifteen (15%)
     percent per annum and the Company shall reimburse Executive for all costs
     and expenses incurred by him, including legal fees, in enforcing his rights
     under this Section 4(d).

          (i) If this Agreement is terminated on a date that is not at the end
          of a calendar year and if the Executive is entitled to incentive
          compensation, the Company will not be obligated to pay the incentive
          compensation which may be due until thirty (30) days after the
          computation by the Company of the amount which may be due.

          (ii) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
          payment contemplated herein (whether by seeking new employment or in
          any other manner), nor shall any such payment be reduced by earning
          that the Executive may receive from any other source.

          (iii) The provisions of this Agreement, and any payments provided for
          hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any
          way diminish the Executive's existing rights, or rights which would
          accrue solely as a result of the passage of time, under any Incentive
          Plan, Benefit Plan, employment agreement or other contract, plan or
          arrangement.

          (iv) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this agreement.

                                       2

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         .

                                       3

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