09/09/2008 September 8, 2008: Using a pair of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) instruments, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Lehigh U., and Cardiff U. for the first time have viewed active gold nanocrystals absorbed onto iron oxide surfaces, with resolution sensitive enough to visualize individual gold atoms.
09/09/2008 September 8, 2008: Nanometrics Inc., a supplier of advanced process control metrology equipment, has launched a search for a new chief financial officer following the resignation of Gary Schaefer to pursue other interests, effective immediately.
09/08/2008 New government mandates will help nearly double the global shipments of automotive microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) from 2006-2012 (a 12% CAGR), while sales surge to $2.1B (8% CAGR), according to data from iSuppli.
09/08/2008 2 years ago, the EMC3D Consortium, open consortia of equipment and materials manufacturers, established itself and set out to develop a process flow and cost model for 3D integration. Focusing on via-first TSVs as the method of interconnect, the intention was to find a solution to achieving this for $200/wafer cost of ownership (CoO) on a 3-year timeline. It appears, however, that they've beaten their own goal ahead of schedule.
09/08/2008 Tegal Corp.'s proposed acquisition of Alcatel Micro Machining Systems' (AMMS) deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) products is "a critical part of our growth strategy" to extend into higher-growth markets in 3D IC packaging and MEMS devices, the company asserts.
09/08/2008 With rumors swirling that top memory firm Samsung Electronics is sniffing around SanDisk, the game is on to determine just how high are the stakes for the memory industry, particularly the one company who would be hurt most.
09/06/2008 September 5, 2008: Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are probing the newest microscope technology based on helium ions to generate the signal used to image extremely small objects, to improve measurement accuracy at the nanoscale and help set standards and improve production in the semiconductor and nanomanufacturing industries.
09/06/2008 September 5, 2008: Dr. Yong Shi of the Stevens Institute of Technology was recently awarded a NSF grant for his project, a "MEMS umbrella-shaped actuator with active structure for medical applications." The objective of the research is to design, fabricate and test an umbrella-shaped micro-actuator based on an integrated micro/nanofabrication technique for thrombus retrieval in stroke therapy.
09/06/2008 September 5, 2008: Fairway Medical Technologies, Inc. has received a $900,000, 3-year contract from the Department of the Navy to apply its optoacoustic technology, which uses targeted nanoparticle contrast agents, to the real-time detection of blood-borne pathogens and biological warfare agents under battlefield conditions.
09/06/2008 September 5, 2008: Evident Technologies, Inc. and Philips Electronics signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement paving the way for commercialization of nanocrystal-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Evident intends to immediately launch a new line of low-power LED and LED based products that use semiconductor nanocrystals as a phosphor.
09/05/2008 Tegal Corporation announced an agreement with Alcatel Micro Machining Systems (AMMS) and Alcatel-Lucent to acquire their deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) products, and the related intellectual property. The addition of these capabilities to Tegal's plasma-etch and deposition systems will reportedly enable Tegal to further expand into MEMS and 3D wafer level packaging applications.
09/05/2008 September 4, 2008: The IEEE, a globally recognized standards-setting body, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which publishes standards for all electrical technologies including nanotechnology, have agreed to extend their existing cooperation agreement to include joint, parallel development of a project in both organizations leading to an IEC/IEEE International Standard.
09/05/2008 September 4, 2008: Pioneer Surgical Technology has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market FortrOss, a novel bone graft substitute utilizing the power of nanotechnology for orthopaedic applications. The FortrOss bone void filler is a scaffold for the in-growth of new bone and other connective tissues, when superior bone regeneration is required.
09/05/2008 September 4, 2008: Using a new technology, called a multi-trap nanophysiometer, scientists at the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education have detected previously unnoticed chemical signals that individual cells in the immune system use to communicate with each other over short distances. This is one of the first microfluidic devices that has been applied successfully to the study of cell-to-cell signaling in the immune system.
09/05/2008 September 4, 2008: UCLA scientists have succeeded in making unique nanoscale droplets that are much smaller than human cells and can potentially be used to deliver pharmaceuticals.
09/03/2008 September 3, 2008 -- NNH08ZDA009O, titled "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON)" is being released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on September 3, 2008. This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) solicits investigations that address the science objectives of the Science Mission Directorate's (SMD) astrobiology, lunar science, and planetary science programs and the Exploration Science Mission Directorate's (ESMD) fundamental space biology program.
09/03/2008 Sept. 3, 2008 - Tegal Corp., a designer and manufacturer of plasma etch and deposition systems, has agree to acquire ' (AMMS) and Alcatel-Lucent's deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) products and related IP in a $5M in cash-and-stock transaction.
09/03/2008 September 3, 2008: X-FAB Silicon Foundries' 200mm facility in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, now is fully qualified for volume production and second sourcing of the company's 0.35μm high-voltage process technology.
09/03/2008 September 3, 2008: Tegal Corp., a designer and manufacturer of plasma etch and deposition systems, has agree to acquire Alcatel Micro Machining Systems' (AMMS) and Alcatel-Lucent's deep reactive ion etch (DRIE) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) products and related IP, directed at advanced 3D wafer-level packaging applications.
09/03/2008 September 3, 2008: Using two abundant and relatively inexpensive elements, Boston College chemists have produced nanonets, a flexible webbing of nanoscale wires that multiplies surface area critical to improving the performance of the wires in electronics and energy applications.
