Russia opens new nanotech centre with FEI tools

FEI plays key role in Moscow's new pilot scientific and technical center of excellence for nanotechnology development

FEI reports that three of its systems, including Tecnai T12 and T30 transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) and a Quanta 3D DualBeam, have been selected as core enabling tools for Russia's new pilot scientific and technical center of excellence for nanotechnology development.

The state-of-the-art centre will give researchers and developers from across the Russian Federation access to advanced nanoscale imaging, analysis and manipulation capabilities.

The multi-million dollar center is being funded by the Russian Federation.

It is anticipated that Russia's overall investment in nanotechnology development will exceed $400 million in 2007.

Globally, combined government investment in nanotechnology development is expected to reach $5 billion in 2006.

Private investments by corporations are expected to exceed the government number for the first time ever, reaching nearly $6 billion this year.

"Government nanotechnology investments were initially led by Europe, North America and Japan," commented Sean Murdock, executive director of the US-based NanoBusiness Alliance.

"Now countries such as Russia, China, Brazil and India have joined the trend and are making significant investments".

"As the nanotechnology era builds momentum, it is being recognized not only as a tool for economic development, but the scale at which all future scientific and product breakthroughs will take place".

"We are excited that a US company such as FEI plays such a vital role in enabling nanotechnology development around the world".

The Tecnai T12 and T30 systems have been purchased by the Russian center.

The third system, the Quanta 3D DualBeam, is being supplied by Systems for Microscopy and Analysis, FEI's sales agent in Russia.

FEI and Systems for Microscopy and Analysis look forward to working closely with the Center of Excellence to further develop methods and applications for characterization and manipulation at the nanoscale.

The Pilot Scientific and Technical Center of Excellence for Nanotechnology Development is located in Moscow.

It was opened officially by Russian officials on June 3, 2006.

The Russian delegation was led by professor Michail V Kovalchuk, secretary of the council for science, technology and education under the Russian Federation's president, Vladimir Putin.

Under secretary of commerce for technology for the united States Robert Cresanti and Bob Gregg, executive vice president of sales and service for FEI, participated in the opening ceremonies.

It was Cresanti's first trip to Russia since he became president Bush's under secretary for technology in March.

"We at FEI are honored to be selected as a partner to support the work of Russia's new world-class center of excellence," commented Bob Gregg of FEI.

"We are also proud that we are not only providing some of the best enabling tools available, but that we are helping the world's leading researchers and developers create new products and technologies".

"These advances are expected to address key global issues and to enhance our quality of life around the globe." FEI's Tools for Nanotech, featuring focused ion- and electron-beam technologies, deliver 3D characterization, analysis and modification capabilities with resolution down to the sub-Angstrom level and provide innovative solutions for customers working in nanobiology, nanoresearch and nanoelectronics.

With R+D centers in North America and Europe, and sales and service operations in more than 50 countries around the world, FEI is bringing the nanoscale within the grasp of leading researchers and manufacturers and helping to turn some of the biggest ideas of this century into reality.

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