The Tartu Teaduspark research foundation signed a contract on October 19 with construction company Eviko to begin building what will become the Baltics’ largest nanotechnology product development center.

Eviko won the contract for the project by presenting the cheapest of eight offers made in the public procurement process. Enterprise Estonia will finance 900,000 euros of the 1.8-million-euro laboratory. Project leaders plan to finish construction next year.

Nanotechnology products include everything from glass, electrodes, gas sensors and micro-tablets with time-release controls for the medical and cosmetics industries.

Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly developing and promising technology sectors, Tartu Teaduspark wrote in a press release.

Yorkshire Gets Electron Lithography Facility

The state-of-the art system is to be installed at the University of Leeds, thanks to a £2.7 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), in partnership with the Universities of Sheffield and York. Its purchase is supported by additional strategic investment from the University of Leeds and industrial funding for PhD studentships, bringing the total investment in the facility to close to £4 million.

The instrument - which will be unique in the region-is to be supplied by world-leading electron microscope manufacturer JEOL.

Electron-beam lithography systems are widely used by researchers to pattern wires, dots, rings and sophisticated integrated structures on a submicron length scale. The system that is coming to Leeds will able to define features that are less than 10 nanometres in size - more than 1000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

This will allow researchers to fabricate new generations of high frequency electronics and spintronic devices and to study novel magnetic materials, with the potential for commercialization over the next five to 10 years. The system will also enable researchers to fabricate electrodes that are small enough to connect to individual molecules or groups of molecules, leading to new classes of hybrid, bioelectronic materials that could have applications in medical diagnostics.

"This instrument will take us to the next level of sophistication in terms of nanoengineering," said Professor Edmund Linfield, from the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds. "The system's sub-10 nm resolution will really help us bridge the gap to molecular scale patterning. In short, it will allow us to undertake the fundamental scientific work that will underpin the next generation of materials that will emerge over the coming decades, and allow us to design devices that will find industrial applications from the electronic to the medical sectors."

"This prestigious collaboration will undoubtedly enhance the reputation of all involved," said Steve Strange, Semiconductor Sales Manager for JEOL (UK). "For this project, the combination of exceptional academics in all three institutes, combined with the economic necessity of utilizing our equipment 24/7 will showcase just how these collaborations are the future of high-end equipment procurement in the UK."

Many projects have already been lined up for the new electron-beam lithography system. For example, researchers will examine how nanowires made from magnetic films can be used to trap ultra-cold atoms - a technique that will help advance quantum computing applications.

They will also experiment with structures made from single-atom-thick sheets of carbon, a material known as graphene that has highly unusual electrical, mechanical and chemical properties and was the subject of this year's Nobel Prize for physics. Their aim is to use the graphene sheets to make super-fast electrometers that can respond within a trillionth of a second.

Funding from JEOL will help young scientists at the beginning of their research careers take advantage of the new facility. Up to ten new PhD studentships specifically linked to the electron-beam lithography will be created over the next five years at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York. It is expected that up to half of these will involve collaborative research with an industrial partner.

"The Universities of Leeds, York and Sheffield have an exceptionally strong international record of research in nanotechnology, but we must continue to invest in the latest facilities and infrastructure if we, and the UK, are to remain major players in the field," said Professor Giles Davies, Pro-Dean for Research in the Faculty of Engineering, University of Leeds. "We must also make sure that up-and-coming young researchers are equipped with the skills they need to compete in an international scientific arena."

Professor Kevin O'Grady, Director of the York Institute for Materials Research at the University of York, said: "This project was specifically designed to train a large group of PhD students to improve the skill base in Yorkshire. The three students based in York will work on projects in collaboration with Seagate, Toshiba and Hitachi."

Dr Atsufumi Hirohata, of the Department of Electronics at York, added: "This instrument will allow me to make a multiple process spintronic device that will essentially be a full computer on a single chip."

Dr Daniel Allwood, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: "The excitement about this new collaborative facility is due to the future science that it enables. The world-class patterning capabilities will lead to a new understanding of nanoscale materials and innovations across a wide range of application areas."

Imec Sets Up R&D Activity in Taiwan

ITIC's goal is to expedite applied research projects with industry and academia that will result in electronic designs, components and technology solutions. The new R&D centre will focus on a variety of innovative applications in bioelectronics, MEMS and "green" electronics that are enabled through 3D system-package co-design and system-level evaluation.

The worldwide impact of the Taiwanese semiconductor and consumer electronics industry is unequivocal, and there is an increasing intention of the stakeholders to move up the value chain by entering key innovation areas. Consequently, Taiwan is an important market for a nanoelectronics R&D centre such as imec. ITIC, being imec's local R&D centre in Taiwan, will facilitate and intensify the collaboration between imec and the Taiwanese industry and academia. The business plan for ITIC forecasts a growth of its research staff to 40+ over 3 years. ITIC is launched with the signing today of an agreement between imec Taiwan and the Institute for Information Industry (III) on behalf of the Taiwanese MOEA. ITIC is financed by imec Taiwan and will be co-funded by the Taiwanese MOEA as a "Multinational Innovative R&D Centre" under MOEA subsidy for the Project of Encouraging Foreign Enterprise Establishing Research and Development Center in Taiwan.

"The creation of ITIC, two years after having established a representation office in Hsinchu, Taiwan, is essential in our continued efforts to create value for our current and future partners in Taiwan, to leverage our global partnerships, and to actively interact with the Taiwanese ecosystem," said Luc Van den hove, CEO and President of imec and member of the Board of imec Taiwan. "An R&D initiative such as ITIC will intensify imec's interaction with the local semiconductor and system-level companies and academia."

"As a semiconductor innovative applications centre, ITIC will support the upward shift in Taiwan's technology value chain and contribute to the realization of Taiwan's strategic Innovation Plan. It will accelerate open innovation that will result in locally owned IP in the area of intelligent electronics," says Jung-Chiou Hwang, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs. "The presence of ITIC - the local branch of the world-famous R&D centre imec - will improve Taiwan's position against its peers in Asia, and result in attracting more European companies to invest in Taiwan."

Diodes Partners with Chengdu Hi-tech Zone for Packaging Testing

Diodes, a leading global manufacturer and supplier of high-quality application specific standard products within the broad discrete, logic, and analog semiconductor markets, has signed an agreement with the Chengdu Hi-tech Zone in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province for its packaging testing project. Diodes is planning to establish a manufacturing facility with an initial investment of US$250 million for surface mounted elements, packaging testing and semiconductor packaging testing, which is set to go into operation within 2010.

SUNYIT Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking ceremony was held for a $127.5 million, state-of-the-art facility on the SUNYIT campus that will act as a catalyst for nanotechnology education, research and economic development in the Mohawk Valley Region.

A t-shaped, three-story structure that will encompass up to 180,000 square feet, SUNYIT's technology complex will be anchored by the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C), which will enable leading-edge research in partnership with private nanotechnology companies to drive advanced technology development and business opportunities related to system-on-a-chip (SOC) technologies. infrastructure, a Capital Region information technology firm, has already announced plans to locate 75 full-time and 125 part-time positions, and establish its Western New York corporate offices, at Quad-C. The company will occupy temporary space on campus until Quad-C is completed in 2012-2013.

Co-located at the site near SUNYIT's Kunsela Hall and the Cayan Library will be the Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), home to engineering, computer science and other technology-related educational programs that will help build the 21st century workforce to support the innovative research at Quad C. The CAT features a "collaboratorium," which will include a forum-style tiered lecture hall equipped with high-definition screens and projectors, as well as streaming video and recording capabilities for distance education and the capture of course material.

"This SUNYIT project, in partnership with the world-renowned College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, will greatly boost our ability to market the Marcy NanoCenter site, because it will provide a strong workforce development program and academic resources, and it will make our region a center for the commercialization of nanotechnology products," said Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito (D/WF-Rome). "This research and educational center will provide the stimulus to attract employers and students to our area. It also is a very important piece in our efforts to make SUNYIT a world-class educational facility in the field of technology."

Construction will begin in the months ahead as three other building projects on the SUNYIT campus are completed. The Student Center and Field House will be completed and in use in 2011; Oriskany Residence Hall will be home to incoming freshmen in the fall 2011 semester.

SUNYIT-the State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome-offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology and professional studies on its campus in Marcy, N.Y., and online. Founded in 1966, SUNYIT is New York State's public institute of technology.

Switzerland, India Set up R&D Facility

Switzerland is hoping to intensify its research co-operation with India in the fields of material sciences, nanotechnology, health and medical sciences, and information and communication technologies with the establishment of a global science and technology outpost in Bangalore.

Dubbed Swissnex India, the outpost will be set up as a section of the Swiss Consulate General in Bangalore. It will serve as a venue for Swiss and Indian organizations to share their knowledge and form partnerships in science, technology, higher education and innovation. Several scientific and technology institutes will also be set up as part of the co-operation deal.

Switzerland's State Secretariat for Education and Research and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs run Swissnex. The India outpost is the fifth Swissnex centre on foreign soil after San Francisco, Boston, Shanghai and Singapore.

FCI Microconnections Inaugurates New Singapore Plant

Flexible printed circuit (FPC) for smart cards manufacturer FCI Microconnections inaugurated a sprawling 18,000sqm (193,680 sq. ft.) facility in Changi, Singapore. This is the third Singapore plant of the France-based group, which began manufacturing FPCs in 1989.

FCI corporate VP and FCI Microconnections general manager Christophe Duverne introduced the business unit explained the strategy behind this expansion, “The FCI group is one of the largest connector companies in the world. In 2009, we generated revenues of €935 million [almost $ 1.3 billion]. We have 25 manufacturing sites around the world and employ about 13,000 people. FCI Microconnections is one of the three divisions of FCI [in 2009 it contributed 16 percent of the group’s revenue] and we produce flexible printed circuits for smart card applications. [We are opening this plant because] we’re making sure we are ready for the future.”

In his presentation, Duverne highlighted FCI Microconnections’ strength in technology and innovation. He also mentioned that “we have very high service levels.”

Regional sales and business manager Mok Wai-Ping discussed the near-ubiquity of smart card applications—“Each one of you would have a smart card in your wallet or in your phone.”—and the bullish prospects of the product line. “We started with 3,000sqm (32,280 sq. ft.) [in the Loyang plant] and now the EDB [Singapore Economic Development Board] helped us with a new facility which is about 18,000sqm. From a couple of million products we will be able to make billions [in Singapore].” To date, total smartcard contact shipments from various FCI Microconnections plants have actually reached 30 billion units.

Ng Ah-Ban, FCI Microconnections’ Changi plant manager, continued the discussion on the company’s expansion, with emphasis on manpower. “Back then we only had—guess what—36 people. Today, we have a more than 330 people. People are a very important resource for us, we have highly trained people, highly qualified very motivated people.” He also underscored the company’s investment in equipment and facilities. “We have invested SG $51 million [about US $ 39 million] in infrastructure in our new Changi plant.”

FCI Microconnections produces FPCs in a reel-to-reel format that supports automated manufacturing processes. In 2008 the company introduced volume production of FPCs using NXT plating technology which minimizes the use of gold, thereby reducing the exposure to precious metal price volatility whilst enhancing corrosion resistance

In 2007, FCI Microconnections acquired Smartag, a Singapore based company specializing in the design and manufacture of RFID tags, inlays and tokens for applications that include inventory control in public libraries and the pharmaceutical sector. Smartag’s manufacturing facilities have now been moved to FCI Microconnections’ new plant at Changi North.

Science Complex at Penn State

Penn State's new Millennium Science Complex, the most comprehensive laboratory facility to be built at the University, is scheduled to open in 2011 and has already spawned a tremendous amount of innovation as it takes shape on a prominent corner of campus.

As the epicenter of study and work for the Materials Research Institute and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Millennium Science Complex promises to be home to groundbreaking research.

Life sciences research in the building will include work in such cutting-edge areas as neuroengineering, molecular biology, genomics and infectious diseases. Materials research will include emerging areas like nanotechnology and biotechnology, and other important fields such as electronic materials and ceramics.

That research, however, comes with unique needs, which have led to unique solutions in the building's design and construction.

In addition to its immense scope, the 292,000-square-feet, L-shaped structure undoubtedly will be noted most for the cantilever, which spans 150 feet above an open plaza at the northwest corner of the building, where the life sciences and materials sciences wings join together.

"The cantilever is unique and was a real challenge to build," said Scott McMahon, vice president of Whiting Turner Construction, the general contractor for the complex. "A lot of buildings might have cantilevers, but they're usually much smaller. This is much larger and deeper than normal.

"The engineer had to calculate the deflection [the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load] it would experience as you build each piece of the structure. As loads are added, like steel and precast concrete panels, the deflection is increased," McMahon said. "We then measured that in the field. We had to erect the precast concrete panels in a certain sequence because of the load it added, to even it out as we built it."

Besides being the signature architectural feature, the cantilever also provides an important function in helping to keep the laboratories beneath it "quiet," or free from vibration.

"Quiet labs are placed in that corner in the basement to ensure that no vibration from footfalls or noise of the building generated by machinery is carried down to the quiet labs," said Dick Tennent, Office of the Physical Plant project manager for the Millennium Science Complex. "The space above it is cantilevered so that no structure is carried down onto the areas around the quiet labs.

"It also makes for an 'a-ha' moment in architecture."

Much of the work in those quiet labs will involve nanotechnology research and the use of ultrasensitive electron microscopes, which focus beams of electrons using magnetic lenses. Electricity and vibration are easily detected and can disrupt the examination of particles on a very fine scale. No current building at Penn State can support the newest and most sensitive of electron microscopes.

The cantilever is far from the only vibration-elimination element in place in the new building.

Tennent said the structure was sited so that labs could be on the northwest corner near the Life Sciences building (which connects to the complex via tunnel) where the transmission of vibration through the earth and rocks below would be least likely. The 16 labs sit on two-foot thick concrete slabs, whereas the rest of the building is on eight-inch slabs. Above it, in addition to the cantilever over an open plaza, each lab has an independent roof system, as well as an independent structural slab spanning the entire lab complex. The labs have double wall systems with two-inch isolation joints to reduce airborne noise, and utilities are isolated before they are brought to each room through special penetrations with a sleeve filled with sand so that noise and vibration are not transmitted through pipes.

"The quiet labs are isolated like I've never seen in a building before," McMahon said.

The structure of the entire complex is stiffened by two-feet thick, U-shaped shear walls made of braced panels running from the basement to the top of the building to support the load of the cantilever and to absorb vibration from machinery within the building, which is necessary for all labs throughout the complex.

The labs also need to be protected from electromagnetic forces, so significant efforts are used to shield them from electromagnetic fields. Electric rooms have quarter-inch aluminum plating on the floors, ceilings and walls. The plating also is used around electrical panels and conduits, McMahon said.

At the heart of the complex, meanwhile, is a cleanroom, which is intended to have a very low, controlled level of environmental pollutants and particles. The clean room is necessary in materials sciences like fabrication and an array of life sciences research. It has a dedicated tunnel from the building's loading dock for deliveries and special exhaust systems coated in stainless steel separate from others in the complex.

"We have things close to this on campus, but nothing as elaborate as what we are doing in this research complex," Tennent said. "The nature of materials science and life sciences research is so precise and complex that putting this work together in a new facility means finding ways in your construction to meet some very special needs."

Following a University priority to make buildings as energy-efficient and environmentally friendly as possible, the construction of the Millennium Science Complex implements a number of measures to reduce energy use, such as several heat recovery wheels in the building to recycle air and absorb energy.

Deep-set windows are treated with an etching that reduces heat gain and loss, and are fitted with louvers to reduce heat gain in the summer and allow the sun in during the winter.

Green roof technology is being used to retain or dissipate heat, Tennent added. The design of the building creates several roofs on the structure. Those with green roofs retain storm water and reduce temperature variation. Green roofs are grown to hold more moisture than normal earth, with slow-growing ground cover that can withstand drier and hotter environments and need little maintenance, Tennent explained.

"It's not necessarily a garden-type roof, although it is certainly more pleasant to look out on a green roof than a typical black four-ply roof," he added.

The penthouse roofs are not green roofs, Tennent said, but they hold overhangs with planted materials underneath to recycle storm water.

Architect Rafael Vinoly, who previously designed the Information Sciences and Technology Building on campus -- a unique structure that bridges over a busy State College thoroughfare -- designed the Millennium Science Complex. In addition to the building's striking geometry and innovative blend of form and function, Vinoly also designed the large complex to be more comprehensible to the human eye.

"He's done that with an obvious horizontality," Tennent said. "Everything is very linear when you see the building, which tends to bring the height down. He's really emphasized that. The roofs are extended beyond the ends of the building in a trellis-like manner to extend that length and try to bring it down to a more human scale."

Tennent has managed a number of notable construction projects at the University in recent years, including the IST Building, Lewis Katz Building for the Penn State School of Law and additions to East Campus. He said the Millennium Science Complex in some ways is very traditional, while at the same time new and innovative.

"This is a classical, pure research building," Tennent said. "At Penn State we have a lot of buildings like that. What is unique about this is the solution."

Adama Materials Raises Venture Investment

Adama Materials, Inc., a developer of nanotechnology-based advanced materials, completed a $4.75 million Series A equity financing led by Artiman Ventures, along with Startup Capital Ventures, the company's founders and a group of Hawaii-based angel investors including Cellular Bioengineering Inc.

Adama Materials was founded when Kealoha, a graduate of UH's Shidler School of Business and the William S. Richardson School of Law, and Dr. Nejhad won first place and the technology prize at the 2008 UH business plan competition. Funded originally through grants from the United States Office of Naval Research, the company now has active projects with tier-one aerospace and composites companies and several patents.

"The investment will allow commercialization of the technology Adama has developed over many years at UH, our long-term partner," stated Dr. Nejhad.

"We are delighted to achieve this financial milestone with Hawaii technology that leads the world in this field," said Dick. "It reflects the excitement in the market for the striking performance increases made possible by Adama's technology."

"Adama represents the ideal model of cross-disciplinary development of technology, business and law at UH, and demonstrates how UH discoveries can be successfully transferred to industry," said Jonathan Roberts of the UH Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development.

Terms of the Series A equity financing were not disclosed.

Adama Materials Inc. develops proprietary nanotechnology-based advanced materials for use in composite materials and other applications.

Philippines to Boost Industries with New Institute

The Philippines' electronics and semiconductors industry is about to get a boost from a congressional plan to create a research and development institute (R&D) that would promote innovation.

The Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering said the Industrial Research and Development Institute (IRDI) will encourage electronics and semiconductor companies to raise their competitiveness levels and innovate in chip design, green technology, and bio-electronics.

The commission hopes to produce at least 150 chip designers each year, develop smart solar systems for rural and agricultural applications, and produce low-cost home-grown medical applications such as ECG and blood tests.

The IRDI is modeled after Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute, which formed linkages between the government and industries to help the island transform into a technology and manufacturing hub.

The congressional panel said that the industry exports $31 billion worth of electronics and semiconductors each year and provides employment to some 450,000 workers.

SSTL Builds for the Future

Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), in partnership with the University of Surrey's Surrey Research Park, is taking a new technical facility opposite its headquarters building in Guildford, UK providing the flexibility to work on a broader range of satellites and the capacity to integrate and test more satellites in parallel.

The 3,700sqm (40,000 sq.ft.) Pounds 10 million facility will provide cleanrooms, laboratories and testing facilities for state-of-the-art space engineering.

It will house approximately 40 permanent staff and anything up to 100 further project specific staff from across the company at peak test and integration periods.

SSTL CEO, Dr. Matt Perkins, commented; "Our new integration and test facility will play a crucial role in our company's development. Not only will it enable us to integrate the European GNSS payloads for ESA, but it will make it possible for us to integrate and test satellites directly opposite our headquarters improving time to market with first rate intra-company communications."

Due for completion in April 2011, the new facility will be operating at full capacity as soon as it is opened when its secure cleanroom facilities will be used for the testing and integration of 14 navigation payloads for the deployment phase of Europe's future GNSS system.

The new laboratories and cleanrooms will bring the assembly, testing and integration of satellite platforms for SSTL's global customers into a single location, enabling engineers and project managers to participate in day-to-day decision making and mission reviews without leaving the site.

The world-class test halls provide two 125 cubic meter walk-in thermal chambers, a seismic test platform with 16,000kg, 10,000kg and 8,000kg gantry cranes and reinforced floors, providing the greatest possible flexibility for integration and testing of small and larger spacecraft.

Construction is already under way, and the building is on target for opening in April 2011.

About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world's leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with over 300 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.

Since 1981 SSTL has built and launched 34 satellites – as well as providing training and development programs, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA , international governments and commercial customers, with its innovative approach that is changing the economics of space.

Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by EADS Astrium NV.

RF Micro to Collaborate with Nano School

RF Micro Devices Inc. said it will collaborate on research at and use of facilities of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering.

The facility is a project by N.C. A&T and UNCG that is under construction at Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro.

Under the agreement, RF Micro and the school will collaborate on the development of nanoelectronics technologies related to RF amplification, filter and switch functions, according to a news release.

The school's cleanroom will be available to RF Micro for research and development, and RF Micro will collaborate with university research students and locating employees at the facility.

Nanotechnology Centre to be Established in Kazan, Russia

KAZAN. Tatarstan, a republic on the Volga, and the RusNano state corporation have signed the founding documents on the project to set up a nanotechnology centre at the Idea industrial park in Kazan, Tatarstan's capital.

The project offered by Tatarstan was declared a winner in an investment tender alongside the Dubna multifunctional nanotechnology centre and the Zelenograd nano- and microsystem equipment plant (both in the Moscow Region), and the Sigma multidisciplinary nanotechnology centre (Novosibirsk and Tomsk, West Siberia).

The Kazan centre will allow the republic to expand work on nanoprojects and stimulate the demand for nanotechnology products.

Forsyth Tech Continues Nanotech Lead with New Lab

Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, NC, is doing its part in keeping the Tar Heel State as one of the strongest nanotech clusters in the nation. Forsyth Tech provides a two-year nanotechnology degree program in the Southeast US. This program has strong partnerships with innovative employers, academic researchers, and industrial organizations across North Carolina, including both the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, High Point, and Greensboro) and the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill).

North Carolina is ranked 8th in nanotechnology while the Triangle metro area is ranked fourth by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.

The two-year Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nanotechnology was first offered at Forsyth Tech in 2005 with the financial support of a $500,000 grant from the Wachovia Foundation. These financial resources give students access to a wide array of tools on campus at Forsyth Tech, including atomic-force microscopy (AFM) in both air and liquid, fluorescence microscopy, spin-coaters, polymer-synthesizing microwave ovens, heaters for nanotube fabrication, and high-rpm centrifugal mixers for the mixing of nanoparticles into macroscopic matrices.

From its inception, significant technical assistance from Dr. David Carroll, director of the Wake Forest University Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials, has provided access to highly qualified adjunct faculty and equipment, including MOCVD equipment, electron microscopes, and a class 10,000 clean room.

This degree is built around eight core courses: a pair each in theory, safety, characterization, and fabrication.

The two theory courses introduce students to the qualitative and quantitative aspects of nanotechnology, respectively. NAN 112 Fundamentals of Nanoscience includes four weeks each of biology, chemistry, physics, and nanostructures. The two safety courses encompass elements of laboratory and occupational safety, waste management and removal, as well as IP and litigation. NAN 132 Controlled Materials addresses corporate and regulatory issues, and provides a good forum for telephone interviews with representatives from FDA, EPA, and compliance consultant firms such as NanoTox of Houston.

The two fabrication courses introduce students to chemical, physical, and thermal methods of creating nanoparticles and nanocomposites. NAN 241 Fabrication of Soft Matter focuses on the fabrication of nanoparticles and polymers, and the mixing of the two to form nanocomposites. Forsyth Tech students take NAN 242 Thin Films at the Wake Forest University Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials.

The two characterization courses present the real strength of the program. NAN 243 covers all aspects of atomic-force microscopy, including AFM in liquid. Forsyth Tech students take NAN 244 Electron Microscopy with Wake Forest students but pay in-state community college tuition. In 2008, with the aid of a $136,000 grant from the North Carolina BioNetwork, an elective course, NAN 251 Biological Atomic-Force Microscopy, was added.

Steven Crawford, a Nanotech diploma student with a B.A. in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was attracted to Forsyth Tech’s program because Nanotechnology is “at the forefront of everything I was interested in, both academics and my passion for technology.” Eric Norman, a first-year nanotech student adds “I’ve thought since high school chemistry, we know things are made of molecules, why can’t we move them around and build with them?” Wes Mays, a graduate of the program now working with PlexiLight, has benefitted from having “an internship to be able to work with an employer before I got a job. I now have an R&D position testing, optimizing, and making demonstration units.” Matt Craps of NanoTech Labs, producer of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanocomposite materials, sees it from the management side. He notes "Forsyth Tech graduates' basis of knowledge, in the ever evolving field of nanotechnology, is valuable for our nanomaterials production. They demonstrate a keen interest to learn additional skills and become further involved in our manufacturing process."

The curriculum received a significant overhaul in 2010 to provide students with easier access to the program. For those who enter with a two-year technical or four-year scientific degree, a new Diploma in Nanotechnology is offered. It consists of the eight core courses alone, and can be completed in just two semesters -- or nine months. For incumbent workers, a new Certificate in Nanotechnology is now available. It includes one course each in theory, safety, characterization, and fabrication. The two-year Associate Degree for first-time college students remains the most popular option, but now students are able to supplement the eight core courses with electives, including more options in mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, even biotechnology courses. This added flexibility allows students to prepare for careers in nanomaterials, quality control, metrology, nanobiology, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery. To support these classes in nanotechnology, students take one semester each of biology, chemistry, and physics. Integral to the program are also knowledge and skills from engineering, economics, and ethics.

A new facility for the program, a 3,000 sq.ft. laboratory, including a class-1000 clean room – on the ground floor of Forsyth Tech’s Center for Emerging Technologies in the Piedmont Triad Research Park situated in downtown Winston-Salem, is projected to open in 2014. The new campus will bring together Forsyth Tech’s Nanotech, Biotech, Design, and Corporate training programs for collaboration with other tenants in the park, including Nanoholdings’ PureLux and FiberCell, Triad Forensics Laboratory, Keranetics, Salzburg Therapeutics for Cancer, the North Carolina BioNetwork Pharmaceutical Center, and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

The Nanotechnology program, in close cooperation with Forsyth Tech’s Biotechnology program and partners across the state -- NC A&T University, the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tengion, Cook Medical, Nanomedica, Pioneer Surgical, Xanofi, and the Center of Innovation in Nanobiotechnology -- is expanding into nanomedicine: regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and cancer therapies. North Carolina is ranked third in biotechnology by the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice.

The Forsyth Tech program focuses on producing a workforce trained in the mutltidisciplinary skills that nanotech and nanomedicine employers across North Carolina are demanding. Through internships and new jobs, Forsyth Tech Nanotechnology graduates have brought their nanotech skill set to R&D firms, nanomanufacturing companies, and physics and engineering laboratories. These same graduates will do their part to keep NC in the forefront of the nation’s emerging nanotechnology sector.

Dr. Kevin J. Conley, the Program Coordinator of Nanotechnology Education at Forsyth Tech can be reached by email at kconley@forsythtech.edu or phone at 336-734-7389.

Huawei to Set Up Telecom Manufacturing Unit in India

Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies announced that it will invest about Rs.2,334.80 crore ($500 million) in a telecom equipment manufacturing facility in Chennai, India.

Huawei already has a major software R&D centre in India with a staff of more than 2,000 engineers. It is Huawei's largest R&D centre outside China.

Huawei revealed its plan to a group of Indian officials visiting China.

Reports from China said Huawei officials met with the Indian delegation on Wednesday (Sept. 29) and confirmed during the meeting that it will invest about Rs.2,334.80 crore ($500 million) in the Indian facility.

Telecom equipment companies like Nokia, Foxconn and Motorola also plan to manufacture equipment near Chennai.

Another Chinese telecom manufacturer, ZTE Corp., also has major production and engineering services in India, employing more than over 1,000 Indian workers.

Based on network security concerns expressed by the Indian government, both Chinese companies have repeatedly said they will work with the Indian government to address the concerns. Those include concerns that Chinese equipment could compromise the security of Indian networks. Huawei and ZTE are major suppliers of telecom gear to service providers in the booming Indian market.

Texas A&M University Gets Nanotechnology Grant

Texas A&M University issued the following news release:

Texas A&M University is one of five collaborating institutions in an $18 million National Institutes of Health-funded research program to develop nanotechnology-based therapies and diagnostics tools for treating heart and lung diseases.

The award, "Integrated Nanosystems for Diagnosis and Therapy," is one of four Programs of Excellence in Nanotechnology (PEN) funded nationwide through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. It will support five years of nanoparticle-focused research led by co-principal investigators Karen L. Wooley of Texas A&M and Michael J. Welch of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in conjunction with colleagues at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the University of California, Santa Barbara and Berkeley.

Nanoparticles - tiny particles no more than 1 to 100 billionths of a meter in size - can be custom-engineered by scientists to deliver imaging agents or therapies, such as drugs, chemotherapies or genetic material, to specific targets, including tumors, particular cell types or sites of inflammation.

"Nanoparticles have several advantages over the small molecules typically used in imaging and therapeutics," says Welch, professor of radiology and developmental biology at Washington University. "Not only can we load them with agents that deliver therapies to specific targets, we can include imaging agents that help us track both the nanoparticles and the therapeutic agent, and change the surface of the particles to customize the amount of time they spend in the body."

The new initiative includes four primary research projects. Wooley, who holds the W.T. Doherty-Welch Chair in Chemistry at Texas A&M and is considered one of the top chemists worldwide in the field of materials and polymer chemistry, will lead one that focuses on the design of advanced nanomaterials. In addition, she will be involved in two others that will develop nanomaterials to address lung-related infectious diseases and acute lung injury - one of which also involves internationally renowned Texas A&M biochemist James C. Sacchettini, holder of the Wolfe-Welch Chair in Science.

"The work that will be conducted through this Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology is expected to lead to remarkable advances in well-defined, multi-functional systems that will dramatically alter the future of medical practice by providing non-invasive detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung and cardiovascular diseases with greater degrees of sensitivity and selectivity," Wooley says. "We have established a diverse team of physical scientists, biologists, radiologists and medical practitioners to address the various hurdles that will be encountered in the design of integrated nanosystems and their translation to effective devices. The state of Texas is playing a key role through its investigators at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center."

Wooley, who relocated to Texas A&M from Washington University in July 2009, serves as head of a synthetic chemistry group that will investigate the fundamental aspects of nanostructured materials which will lead to the design and creation of novel systems capable of impacting the detection, diagnosis and treatment of heart and lung diseases. Scientists target nanoparticles to different objectives in the body by customizing the particles' physical and chemical properties. For instance, she says, they can adjust the materials from which the nanoparticles are made to alter their size, shape and flexibility or their internal and external chemical compositions. Control over each parameter will allow for modification of the nanomaterials' trafficking in the human body as well as their interactions with bacteria or diseased cells and enable researchers to identify sites of infection or injury and to deliver therapeutics.

"It is not a case that nanoparticles are able to actually 'target' a certain place in the body," Wooley explains. "However, if they have particular chemistries, they can be made to migrate or diffuse differently from small molecules or microscopic materials and selectively bind to receptors to be retained within those regions. Effectively, their cargo is carried along so that it then takes on their unique biodistribution, thereby providing for enhanced delivery of imaging agents and therapies." For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

New Labs at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan issued the following news release:

A next-generation nano-mechanical engineering lab complex at the University of Michigan will enable researchers to study the forces at work at the smallest scales and to advance nano-technologies in energy, manufacturing, healthcare and biotechnology.

The Center of Excellence in Nano Mechanical Science and Engineering is a $46 million facility made possible in part by a $9.5 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, announced today. The three-story complex will include 60 lab modules and space for 18 professors in a 62,880 square-foot addition to the G.G. Brown Laboratories on Hayward Street on North Campus.

"Michigan Engineering has always been strong in traditional large-scale mechanical engineering areas including automotive research. This new facility will propel us to the next level. It will allow researchers to pursue exciting projects at the frontiers of mechanical science and engineering, where the discipline intersects with nanoscience and biology," said David Munson, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering.

"We would like to thank our federal lawmakers U.S. Rep. John Dingell, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow as well as Gov. Jennifer Granholm for their support throughout this process," he said.

This center will complement the College of Engineering's Lurie Nanofabrication Facility, a state-of-the art lab where researchers focus on building devices at the nanoscale. In the new complex, researchers will develop the tools to measure, image, study and test nanoscale phenomena and devices.

"The award is great news for the University of Michigan and the state of Michigan," said Governor Jennifer Granholm. "This new facility will help train the next generation of engineers in our state, and produce the cutting-edge research and development in energy, health care and manufacturing that will continue to diversify our economy and create jobs."

The center will be designed with a tightly controlled experimental environment. Existing labs in mechanical engineering, designed for macroscale research, don't have the right temperature, dust, vibration and noise controls for researchers to take accurate nanoscale measurements, said Jack Hu, associate dean for academic affairs in engineering. Hu is a professor of Mechanical Engineering and the G. Lawton and Louise G. Johnson Professor of Engineering. He led the proposal effort to NIST.

"Our current setting is full of water pumps and various machine tools, which are not appropriate for the new research we are pursuing," Hu said.

"Nanotechnology is full of promise," Hu said. "It has applications in manufacturing, in medicine and in solar and thermal energy conversion, to name just a few fields. Fundamental to all these areas is a good understanding of the mechanical behavior of nanoparticles and we don't yet have that. Through this facility, we are providing an enabling platform for this research and innovation."

Work in the lab will be divided into four thrusts: nano-measurement, single biomolecule analysis, nanoscale energy conversion and nanomanufacturing, and nano- and microelectromechanical systems for medical research and diagnostics. Some of the projects will take place in the labs are:

* Measuring the twisting forces at work in a DNA molecule, which could help researchers understand how these blueprints of life copy and repair themselves.

* Testing new techniques that map strain, temperature and forces in materials in order to understand one of the most vexing phenomena in engineering: why and how does a material's strength depend on its microscopic structure. Traditional laws cannot predict the strength of devices at the smallest scales. This research could bring about lighter materials that could improve fuel economy.

* Understanding how biological molecules interact and reproduce, how they transport molecular cargoes, and how they convert chemical signals into mechanical work. New knowledge of these processes could aid in the development of better drug delivery and treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

* Building a microelectromechanical biochip that can affordably count thousands of single T-cells for HIV/AIDS monitoring in resource-limited settings.

* Figuring out why carbon nanotubes are so strong and conductive. They are stronger and stiffer than steel. They conduct electricity better than copper, and conduct heat better than diamonds. But to integrate them into larger devices, engineers must be able to understand and predict these properties.

Construction is expected to start in spring 2011 and finish in May 2013. In addition to the NIST funding, this project is supported by $15 million from the University of Michigan, $6.5 million from the College of Engineering, and $15 million in private commitments. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Siemens Milltronics Expands Ontario Manufacturing Operation

Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments, a division of Siemens Canada based in Peteroborough, ON, is expanding its circuit board manufacturing operation in Canada with financial support from the Ontario government.

The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development is providing a $283,550 grant to support the company’s three-year manufacturing expansion plans to manufacture printed circuit board assemblies, 90 per cent of which are exported to the US, Europe and Asia. The expansion will result in 10 new skilled jobs over three years.

Andrew Blazey, vice president and general manager, Siemens Milltronics, says the Ontario investment “along with our great team of dedicated employees is helping Siemens Milltronics take full advantage of the manufacturing potential in this facility [183,000 sq ft]. By increasing manufacturing output, we are becoming even more competitive and will remain a leader in this field.”

The expansion includes the installation of a second Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Line, a fully automated production line for its circuit board manufacturing operation.

“This facility produces level and weighing instrumentation and within these instruments are printed circuit boards. So we do the research and development of circuit boards here, we design and we build them. It’s a very technical job and will require highly skilled workers,” explains Carla Guest, senior communications specialist with Siemens Milltronics.

As a result of the grant, Guest says the company is able to fully commit to implementing the RoHS, (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Act), a European directive aimed at reducing and eliminating lead in the production of electronic components.

“We’re moving to a fully lead-free production process. We sell 90 per cent of our products outside of Canada so we have to meet stringent quality standards from around the world,” says Guest.

Bergen University Chooses Plasma-Therm's 790+ for Nano-fabrication Facility

The Department of Physics and Technology based in Norway, has selected Plasma-Therm's 790+ Reactive Ion Etcher for its nano-fabrication facility.

The University of Bergen's system addition to their facility will assist in the development of free-standing Fresnel zoneplates for neutral helium microscopes. The 790+ RIE equipment will also support the universities work on biophysics experiments in surface engineering and nano-science experiments to test optical and magnetic properties of nanostructures.

"As we move forward with the reach of our experiments, we are constantly searching for reliable, flexible tools that support us in our research and help us push the limits of nano-science. The 790+ system is one of the tools we are using to define the future of nanotechnologies," said Professor Bodil Holst, Nanoscience Programme Leader at the University of Bergen's Department of Physics and Technology.

The 790+ RIE provides a flexible technical solution for etching the variety of structures and materials required for advanced research. Simple operation coupled with manual loading on a large electrode addresses the multiple needs of a university operating environment where different substrate sizes and shapes in addition to ease of use by multiple users is key.

"Based on the well proven 790 platform, the newly improved 790+ continues to supply reliable and sophisticated technology for many applications including those at the nanoscale level. The increased area of the 790+ electrode increases uniformity and throughput while maintaining affordability for both university and production settings" said Ed Ostan, executive VP of sales & marketing at Plasma-Therm.

Plasma-Therm, founded in 1974, is a supplier of advanced plasma process equipment that focuses on various specialty markets including photomask, solid state lighting, thin film head and compound semiconductor. Plasma-Therm offers both dry etch & PECVD technologies custom built to meet rapidly changing research needs and the demands of production. The company has sales, service and spares locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

The University of Bergen, located in Bergen, Norway, is a research university with a high international profile that is committed to academic and research excellence. The university emphasizes basic research, research-based teaching and the development of academic disciplines. The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is one of six faculties at the University of Bergen and has around 2700 students. The Faculty consists of eight departments, including the Department of Physics and Technology, which provide the foundations for its teaching and research activities.

IPC Opens India Manufacturing Training Facility

Extending its training and knowledge-based resources and services to Indian electronics manufacturing facilities on a local level, IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries^® has opened its first office in India.

Located in South Bangalore, close to the well-known Electronics City, IPC India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPC, will be under the leadership of Managing Director Mr. Akshinthala Vijayendra.

The initial focus of Vijayendra's activities will be on bringing additional training, conferences and services to India. For three years, IPC and the Indian Printed Circuits Association (IPCA) have worked cooperatively on the Industry Association Training Center (IATC).

"Having Vijay working full-time to support the Indian electronics industry needs will enable the growth and expansion of IPC certification training," says David Bergman, IPC vice president of international relations. As Bergman explains, certified IPC trainer (CIT) courses as well as wire harness training (IPC/WHMA-A-620, Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies) are areas that major Indian EMS providers and OEMs have already identified as priority needs.

Over the next few months, Vijayendra will be responsible for hiring critical staff positions to support IPC initiatives in addition to meeting with representatives from local industry to determine what additional services and resources are needed from IPC. He will also continue to coordinate and support the IATC and will look for opportunities to involve local manufacturing operations in IPC global standardization activities.

Vijayendra has more than 35 years of experience in printed circuit design, fabrication & electronics production, of which 20 years are in the development of electro-static discharge (ESD) products and in ESD audit & training fields. In addition, he is Master IPC Trainer (MIT) for several global industry standards, including IPC-A-600, Acceptability of Printed Boards; IPC-A-610, Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies; and IPC J-STD-001, Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies.

"Vijay has been instrumental in bringing IPC training programs to the manufacturing industry in India. IPC is fortunate to have a respected leader heading up its team in India," adds Bergman.

Dorgan Secures Projects in North Dakota

The office of Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., issued the following news release: A number of high-tech military initiatives in North Dakota receiving federal support next year will increase economic development activities in the Red River Valley Research Corridor and across the state, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) announced Friday.

Dorgan, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, secured $75 million for the projects as part of the Senate Fiscal Year 2011 Defense Appropriations bill.

"These are important projects that will strengthen our nation's armed forces and North Dakota's economy," Dorgan said. "These projects are more evidence that North Dakota's growing research facilities are well-established and world-class. This is a real vote of confidence for the work North Dakota researchers are doing." The bill includes $8 million for Accelergy to develop an Advanced Tactical Fuels Biomass Refinery in Bismarck-Mandan, $6 million for NovaDigm Therapeutics vaccine development in Grand Forks, and $5 million for the University of North Dakota's (UND) Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research, Education and Training to examine unmanned aircraft airspace issues.

In Fargo, North Dakota State University (NDSU) will receive $6.5 million to design radio frequency sensors and transponders made of flexible materials, $5 million to develop antimicrobial coatings with Trition Systems, and $5 million for Mid-American Aviation to develop a state-of-the-art part refurbishment capability for military vehicles and helicopters.

The bill will next go to the full Senate for approval. The final version will be worked out with the U.S. House of Representatives before being sent to the president to be signed into law.

A complete list of North Dakota projects in the bill with descriptions is attached and below.

North Dakota Projects in the Defense Appropriations Bill: Projects in the Fargo area: Electronics and Materials for Flexible Sensors and Transponders $6.5 million This funding will be used by NDSU and its partners to design radio frequency sensors and transponders made of flexible materials. The Department of Defense has expressed a need for new, flexible sensors and transponders that will be more useful in covert and sensitive operations.

Tunable MicroRadio for Military Applications $6 Million Peregrine, partnering with Motorola and NDSU, will be the first to use tunable microradio circuitry jointly developed at NDSU to create a secure 'op-phone' prototype for special force use. This project will focus on the critical integration of cutting-edge radio design with commercial mobile phone technologies.

Bioactive Polymers and Coating Systems for Protection Against Bio-Threats $5 million NDSU's Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering and its industrial partner, Triton Systems Inc., will develop antimicrobial coatings that can be embedded on fabrics to block toxins, kill bacteria and control biological agents. The fabrics will be used in the manufacture of items such as portable shelters for the military.

Surface Preservation and Enhancement Repair Facility $5 million Mid-America Aviation in West Fargo will utilize cutting-edge cold spray technology for the repair of military vehicle components and system structures. This commercializes technology developed by the University of North Dakota and Alion Science and Technology with funds previously provided by the committee.

Microcantilever Microsensors for Protection of the Warfighter $4 million Funding will be used for NDSU and Triton Systems Inc. to continue developing microsensors capable of detecting chemical and biological agents as well as explosive.

Rapid DNA Identification System $2 million NDSU and its partner IntergenX will complete development of a ruggedized "briefcase lab" that will make it possible for non-specialist troops to perform DNA testing and identification in the field, which is a high priority for counterterrorism operations. Deployed forces will be able to get "DNA fingerprints" from objects handled by terrorists and from suspects in less than two hours, a process that now takes as long as two weeks since samples need to be shipped to labs in the U.S.

Anti-fouling and Fouling-release Coating Systems $3 million NDSU and its partner PPG will commercialize an environmentally-friendly anti-fouling and fouling release coating system that will improve the performance and fuel efficiency of Navy and Coast Guard vessels.

Dynamic Data Flow Management System $2 million Funding will be used by Pedigree Technologies to develop software to manage large volumes of network data to prevent the overloading of tactical communications systems during battle.

Projects in Grand Forks area: Staph Vaccine $6 million NovaDigm Therapeutics in Grand Forks will continue developing vaccines to prevent Staph infections, which present a serious threat to military personnel. Wounded soldiers are more likely to die from infection than from any other cause.

UND's Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research, Education and Training $5 million UAS Center will use this funding to determine solutions to help with integration of unmanned aircraft in our national airspace system.

Silicon Nanomaterial for Battlefield Medical Devices $5 million UND and Nanosys will develop next-generation combat field dressings, which have new anti- microbial properties to ensure battlefield wounds are clean and prevent infection.

Institute for Advanced Energy Studies $4 million These funds will enable UND to establish an Institute for Advanced Energy Studies that will leverage North Dakota's position as a leading energy-producing state by developing innovative technological solutions to promote the use of clean, reliable, affordable and efficient energy technologies. Senator Dorgan has also previously secured $2.75 million for this project in Fiscal Year 2011 Energy and Water Development Appropriations legislation.

Advanced Antenna Technology for Wireless Communications $3 million UND and Laserlith Corp. will continue to design, test and demonstrate new communications technology that will be used in unmanned aircraft systems. These newly designed antennas will improve performance, cost and size.

ROTC Helicopter Training $1.5 million The UND will provide helicopter training to U.S. Army ROTC cadets and to West Point cadets.

Project in Bismarck-Mandan area: Advanced Tactical Fuels Biomass Refinery $8 million Funds will be used for Accelergy to build a demonstration-sized biofuel production plant that will process biomass feed stocks into high-performance jet and diesel fuel. This commercializes synthetic fuel technology developed by the UND Energy and Environmental Research Center, which is the first 100 percent renewable jet fuel which meets all U.S. Air Force fuel criteria.

Project on the Standing Rock Reservation: Parts-on-Demand for CONUS Operations $4 million Rock Industries in Fort Yates is developing a precision manufacturing facility to provide specially fabricated parts to U.S. Army units. The facility will ensure Army units can get replacement parts as quickly and cheaply as possible - particularly parts that are in short supply or no longer manufactured.

Project on the Fort Berthold Reservation: Air Force Document Modernization $3 million MHA Systems Inc. in Parshall will reformat U.S. Air Force technical documents so they can be accessed and manipulated electronically.

Project on the Turtle Mountain Reservation: Navy Documentation Modernization $2 million Chippewa Tribal Industries in Belcourt will reformat U.S. Navy technical documents so they can be accessed and manipulated electronically.

CVDT Builds Computing Lab, Data Centers

China VoIP & Digital Telecom (CVDT) is preparing to build a cloud computing science park on 50 acres in Wending City's Nanhai New Areas. CVDT chairman Li Jian and chief executive officer Li Kunwu signed an agreement on the science park with Jinan Yinquan Technology Co. Ltd,. a wholly owned CVDT subsidiary.

Under the agreement, CVDT and Jinan Yinquan Technology Co. Ltd,. will form a new company with a registered capital of about $7.13 million. Yinquan Technology will invest nearly $2 million in the holding company.

The holding company will build a 30,000sqm laboratory for a cloud computing and virtualization support platform and devote 70,000sqm to business incubation areas. The lab will host operations for partnerships with Tsinghua University, Shandong University, VMware, Vizioncore and other international manufacturers.

Some 6,000sqm of the site will be set aside for data centers that will provide disaster recovery and data backup services to enterprises, institutions and government agencies.

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