May 16, 2008 — NT-MDT, manufacturer of atomic-force and scanning-probe microscopes (AFMs and SPMs) for nanotechnology R&D, has signed an agreement with Nano & Giga Solutions, a networking research and consulting company, for joint development of an informal educational web portal. The Atomic Scale Design Network (ASDN.NET) covers science fundamentals for nanotechnology.

In pursuit of the portal, the partners are defining nanotechnology “a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control [and fabrication] of matter on the atomic and molecular scale.” The field, they say, is quickly gaining attention not just from science-savvy geeks and gurus, but also from the general public. “For future generations of engineers, fundamental knowledge of atomic scale materials structure and design will be critical to be competitive as an engineering professional. Meanwhile high school science curricula in many countries are behind the technology curve and students are missing out due to lack of resources,” the partners say.

Anatoli Korkin, President of Nano & Giga Solutions, launched the initiative of developing an informative and entertaining educational web portal dedicated to enhance public knowledge in all aspect of “atomistics” from inorganic materials to bio molecules and demonstrate how new phenomena appear from different combinations of chemically bound atoms as their number and variety increases.