July 19, 2007 — Surrey NanoSystems has won a major order for its carbon nanotube growth tool from ITA, the advanced technologies research institute in Trapani, Sicily.

ITA selected the NanoGrowth tool for its ability to repeatably grow defined carbon nanotube configurations, and to grow materials at low temperatures. The institute will use the equipment to research carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites and mechanical sensors for medical and
aerospace applications.

ITA included in its tool configuration a large range of materials processing modules to support diverse research programs. In addition to the NanoGrowth tool’s core CVD (chemical vapor deposition) and PECVD (plasma-enhanced CVD) nanomaterial growth capabilities, Surrey will fit modules for catalyst delivery, ion etching, and thin-film deposition. This will allow ITA researchers to grow precision single- and multi-walled nanotube structures and silicon nanowires, as well as being able to dope, etch, and deposit silicon.

In addition to the provision of equipment, the two organizations have signed a three-year development partnership to share intellectual property.