IBM, Zurich University to build nanotech lab

IBM and the ETH Zurich University have agreed to jointly build a laboratory for nanotechnology research. The research activities aim at technologies for the post-CMOS era such as carbon-based materials, nano photonics, spintronics, nanowires and tribology, EETimes reported. While the CMOS era according to the semiconductor industry roadmap will last another ten to fifteen years, the scientists are already now working on a replacement for the venerable transistor. According to IBM, the basic switching element of the future possibly can have a completely different architecture. The nanotech laboratory is an offspring of IBMs famous Zrich Research Labs (ZRL) where Wolfgang Gerhard Binning and Heinrich Rohrer developed the scanning tunneling microscope an achievement for which the duo in 1986 has been awarded the Physics Nobel Award. The new nano lab is also located at the ZRL in Ruschlikon near Zurich. The investment has a volume of $90 million. About one third of the sum will be spent for technical equipment, the ETH announced in a media release. Groundbreaking is scheduled for spring 2009; the research activities will begin in 2011. The lab will have a footprint of 6000 square meters including a 900 square meter clean room. The strategic partnership between IBM and the ETH is planned to endure at least ten years.