Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has inked a Letter of Intent (LOI)
with Carl Zeiss SMT, a global
leader in innovative lithography optics, optical and particle-beam based analysis
and measuring systems. The LOI formalizes a strategic partnership and collaboration
which is set to open up new opportunities in nanomaterials and materials science
research. With this partnership, Carl Zeiss SMT adds a further globally leading
academy and research facility to its growing network of electron microscope
centres that are hosting high-end transmission electron microscopes in their
laboratories.
NTU's lab facilities will be equipped with ZEISS electron beam systems that
will be used in a variety of material science, life science research and teaching
applications. The first instrument in early 2009 will be the NVision platform
combining e-beam and ion-beam technology, followed by a LIBRA 120 PLUS transmission
electron microscope (TEM) in early summer 2009. The new TEM machine will be
housed in the NTU’s Facility for Analysis, Characterisation, Testing and
Simulation in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, together with
cutting-edge equipments such as X-ray diffractometers that are used to discover
the arrangement of atoms in solids.
“We are proud to be chosen by NTU as a strategic partner in order to
support NTU's research programmes and to manifest and develop NTU's position
as one of the leading regional academic institutions for research in material
analysis and life science applications,” said Manfred Hanke, Managing
Director of Carl Zeiss SMT Singapore. “The partnership with NTU is the
next logical step after the launch of the 1st Carl Zeiss Advanced Imaging Centre
in Singapore (AICS) in early 2008 and underlines the company´s position
as a partner of science. The partnership with NTU will be another key component
as we continue to push forward the frontier of science.”
“We look forward to having the ZEISS systems in our lab and to expanding
our research and training at NTU,” stated Prof. Freddy Boey, Chair of
NTU's School of Materials Science and Engineering. “Collaboration with
Carl Zeiss is an important part of NTU's continuous effort to strengthen our
position as a leading electron microscopy centre in Asia. With the addition
of this state-of-the-art equipment to our lab, we will now be able to study
both biological and physical substances for new materials or drugs at higher
resolution in the future. We hope to create new developments in the study of
materials science which has been impossible using the current electron-optical
equipment. We also hope to use this equipment to prepare our students for professional
careers in high-tech fields and expose them to advance research opportunities.”
In addition to the machine installation, Carl Zeiss and NTU will also collaborate
in the fields of application development, engineering exchange and training
programmes. NTU staff and students will be able to network with advanced group
users of Carl Zeiss systems and gain access to state-of-the-art instrument around
the world.