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Nanoscale technology deal a tight fit
December 2009
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SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Agilent Technologies Inc. describes
itself as the world's premier measurement company with leadership positions in
communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. Now the $5.8
billion revenue giant will collaborate with Stanford University in a research
program designed to explore a new class of nanoscale devices using a
combination of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and atomic layer deposition
(ALD). The research will enable the rapid prototyping and characterization of a
variety of nanoscale devices for a wide range of applications.
"The novel nanostructures will be fabricated and
characterized in situ in this unique
SPM-ALD tool in order to rapidly prototype a wide variety of next-generation
devices," says Fritz Prinz, professor and chairman of mechanical engineering at
Stanford University. "The SPM-ALD tool will enable us to build devices which
take advantage of the quantum confinement effects present at small length
scales that could not be accessed with traditional lithography methods. These
devices can only be built with manufacturing tools possessing extraordinary
spatial resolution."
Agilent entered the nanotech field about four years ago,
explains Jeff Rozner, the company's director of strategy for nanotechnology
business, with the purchase of an SPM company. At about the same time, Agilent
exited the semiconductor business.
"As a measurement company, nanotechnology is a logical fit,"
Rozner notes, since its focus is on the measurement of various properties of
polymers, surface coatings, tools and surface mediated biological processes.
Prinz was a long-term customer of a company Agilent acquired, Rozner adds.
Since then, Agilent has provided Prinz with loaner equipment and Rozner has
joined Stanford's nanoscale advisory board.
The new program focuses on the integration of ALD, a
thin-film technique capable of sub-nanometer precision in thickness, with the
nanometer lateral resolution of SPM in a drive to extend the capability of scanning
probe techniques to prototyping and device fabrication. Historically,
performance of electronic devices has been limited by traditional manufacturing
methods, such as optical and electron beam lithography, which are not likely to
deliver feature resolution significantly below 20 nm.
The quantum mechanical effects of electron confinement in
devices 10 nm or smaller result in phenomena qualitatively different than those
seen in larger devices. Rozner explains the phenomena with the observation that
surface area per unit volume increases as physical size decreases (which is why
the metabolic rate of small mammals is so much faster than ours). With
geometries in all three dimensions of less than 10 nm, surface effects of this
quantum confinement creates an entirely new paradigm for electronic devices, he
notes.
From an electronic standpoint, it's easy to observe, but
tough to explain, Rozner says. "It's like particles in a box," he explains.
When you squeeze down the electronics, they have fewer
places to live. Changes in energy states result, which are important in
photovoltaic applications.
"You create both freedoms and constraints," he adds, "that
change chemical potential and reactivity."
Asked about the commercial potential of Agilent's nanotech
business, Rozner says that "triple digit millions" is the target. He notes that
the sector of one of Agilent's fastest growing and that it has continued to
grow year-on-year during the current recession.
Agilent seeks faster life science research workflow with
Eurofins MWG Operon technology purchase
SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Seeking to create a new solution that
enables mid-range multiplex screening for the life science research market,
Agilent Technologies Inc. announced Nov. 16 its purchase of DNA services
provider Eurofins MWG Operon's MassCode Tag technology. Agilent said it will
use MassCode Tag to develop new research products for pathogen identification,
leveraging its strength in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mass
spectroscopy.
The purchase, made for an undisclosed sum, includes the
MassCode trademarks and intellectual property, including four families of
patents that are valid in 34 countries, including the United States, United
Kingdom, Japan and China. Under the agreement, Eurofins MWG Operon will
continue to supply the core component for the new products.
MassCode Tags—small molecules, each with a unique molecular
weight—can be used to screen for specific pathogens that may be present in a
biological sample. In MassTag PCR, an application developed by investigators at
Columbia University, individual tags are attached to DNA primers that
correspond to microbial sequences. The primers are then used to amplify nucleic
acid isolated from biological sample using PCR. The tags are released by
applying UV irradiation, and mass spectroscopy is then used to identify the
corresponding tags.
According to the companies, the mass spectroscopy detection
technique is highly multiplexed, faster and more sensitive than traditional
detection technologies utilized for PCR analysis.
"This technology addresses a key need by reducing the cost
to screen for a large number of pathogens that might be present in a given
sample and will accelerate the life science research workflow," says Gustavo
Salem, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Biological Systems
division.
Code: E120914 Back |
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