New nanotech lab for IBM and ETH Zurich

Published: 7-Jul-2008

ETH Zurich and the IBM Zurich Research Laboratory (ZRL) are to build and operate a new, common nanotech lab on the ZRL campus. The new building includes cutting-edge research infrastructure and will cost US$90 million.


The shared research facility with more than 900 m2 of cleanroom area will be built in three sections: one each for exclusive use by IBM and ETH Zurich, as well as an area that both partners will share. ETH Zurich will rent the space and share the operations costs with IBM.

US30m of the total cost will be dedicated to cutting-edge infrastructure. The partners will share expenditure for the infrastructure but the building investment will be undertaken by IBM. The laying of the foundation stone is scheduled for spring 2009, and the start of research activities in 2011.

This strategic partnership is intended to be in place for at least 10 years. Apart from joint research activities each partner institution is free to pursue its own projects.

The two institutions will focus on research in various fields of nanotechnology, ranging from exploratory and basic research to applied and near-term projects. Several areas for joint research projects have been identified, such as carbon-based materials, nano-photonics, spintronics, nanowires, and tribology.

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