!!! Press Release !!!
Bonn, 12.08.1998 Ruettgers: Faster, easier, more
efficient, - nanotechnology makes progress in Germany "The decision has been made. An independent panel of international scientists led by the Swiss Professor of Physics, Hans E. Hintermann, has announced 6 winners, selected from 14 applicants, in the BMBF competition on Centers of Excellence in Nanotechnology. Over the next 5 years they will receive up to DM 150 mil. from the BMBF. The Centers of Excellence are organised as virtual networks comprising several institutions and companies. The leading participants among the winners are:
Nanotechnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century. Already, there are products on the market: just two examples include self-cleaning sheets of glass coated with nanoparticles and tunnelmicroscopes which make the world of atoms and molecules visible. Other areas however, are still at the stage of application oriented research. These areas form the basis of new generations of chips as well as new production technologies such as "self-organization technology". According to experts, the following areas have the greatest potential: the production and application of ultra thin layers, the creation and application of lateral nanostructures, the production and application of nanomaterials and molecular structures, the precise processing of coatings, and the measurement and analysis of structures down to nanoscale dimensions. With the establishment of the virtual Centers of Excellence, business, science and private capital from all over Germany will be combined to promote these areas and to develop new products to a marketable level. Already, USA, Japan and China invest heavily in nanotechnology. I am certain that the successful Centers of Excellence, which will undoubtedly be imitated by others, will enable us to play a major role in the field of nanotechnology. I am convinced that nanotechnology will give us more speed, with smaller and more powerful computer chips. It will make our products lighter compared to those with batteries and fuel cells providing a larger internal area and low weight. And it will bring about a revolution in efficiency, saving time, energy and material. The Winners in the BMBF Competition
"Centers of Excellence in nanotechnology": The range of applications available for ultra-thin layers have huge market potential, especially in the area of electronic components, sensors, implants and artificial skin, as well as protective coatings. In order to supply the needs of these markets, a virtual center made up of 28 companies, 10 third level institutes and 15 research institutes has been set up and is centered in the Dresden/Chemnitz area. Contact partner: Dr. A. Leson,
Fraunhofer Institut Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik IWS, Winterbergstrasse 28, 01277 Dresden,
Tel.: 0351 - 25 83 324, Fax: 0351 - 25 83 300. In the future, optoelectronic components will make increasing use of quantum effects. This opens up many possibilities for higher performance products in areas such as communications technology, environmental monitoring and consumer goods such as CD-players, laser tv and displays. 17 research institutes and 8 companies are now concentrating on research into these components in order to accelerate the transfer of technology and enter these commercial markets. (With AIXTRON participation) Contact partner: Prof. D. Bimberg, Technische Universität Berlin, Sekr. PN 5-2 Institut für Festkörperphysik, Hardenbergstrasse 36, 10623 Berlin, Tel.: 030 - 31 42 27 83/31 42 20 82, Fax: 030 - 31 42 25 69. 3. Creation and implementation of
lateral nanostructures Contact partner: Prof. Heinrich Kurz, AMiCA (Advanced Microelectronics Center Aachen), Huyskensweg 25, 52074 Aachen, Tel.: 0241 - 88 67 200, Fax: 0241 - 88 67 560. Area III. "Production and
application of nano-materials and molecular structures" The use of chemical principles in the development of materials based on nanostructures is increasing in almost all industrial nations. In particular these are being used in the production of pharmaceuticals, dispersive colours, the optimization of catalysts, as well as in glue, paint and coating processes. A virtual Center of Excellence made up of 40 research institutes, 41 small and medium-sized companies, 12 large-sized companies and 6 service companies has been set up in order to cover the entire processing chain (training, research, development, production and commercialization). Contact partner: Prof. h.c. Wolfgang Göpel, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tübingen, Tel.: 07071 - 29 76 904, Fax: 07071 - 29 54 90. Area IV. "Ultra precise surface
processing" Precisely formed and smooth surfaces necessary for instance in the areas of optics, wafers or read/write heads, represent huge future markets worth billions. A Center of Excellence made up of 22 research and development institutes and 19 industrial companies has been set up to expand their current market position. The Center already has 36 patents, more than 120 existing cooperations and revenues of around DM 3 billion. Contact partner: Dr. I. Weingärtner, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig, Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig, Tel.: 0531 - 59 24 210. Area V. "Measurement and analysis
of structures down to nanoscale dimensions". The measurement and analysis of nanoscale components is vitally important for quality control, standardization and reproducible mass production. The key application for nanoanalysis is microscopy which is becoming increasingly important in companies´ analysis departments . A virtual Center of Excellence, including the most advanced research groups in Germany, highly regarded service companies, equipment manufacturers as well as users in industry, has been set up to establish a high quality analysis network. Contact partner: Prof. H. Fuchs, Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster, Physikalisches Institut, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Tel.: 0251 - 83 33 621, Fax: 0251 - 83 33 602 Further information: The publication "Nanotechnologie - Innovationsschub aus dem Nanokosmos" can be ordered free of charge from: BMBF, Referat Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, 53170 Bonn, Tel.: (0228) - 57 30 29, Fax: (0228) 57 39 17. Homepage | Contact | About Aixtron | Products & Services | Customer Support | R & D | Production Results | What's new | Events © 1996 - 1999 by AIXTRON AG |