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News

8 October 2007

 

Aixtron enters carbon nanotube market

Traditionally a maker of MOCVD systems for the compound semiconductor sector, Aixtron of Aachen, Germany has turned its attention to a new market, with the announcement that it is to acquire Nanoinstruments Ltd of Cambridge, UK.

Founded in 2005, the University of Cambridge spin-off manufactures chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and plasma enhanced CVD research systems for carbon nanotubes (CNT) and other nanomaterials. Under the name of Aixtron Nanoinstruments, the new technology unit will focus on both R&D and industrial scale CNT equipment. Key members of Nanoinstruments’ management will join Aixtron, including the founders, Dr. Ken Teo and Dr. Nalin Rupesinghe.

Aixtron says that CNT is a promising material for use in flat panel displays, heat sinks, integrated circuits, sensors and electron guns, and that the addition of Nanoinstruments’ products will create new opportunities in the mid- and long term within the nanotechnology market.

Paul Hyland, Aixtron’s president and CEO, said: “We have been very impressed with what the Nanoinstruments team has achieved in the short time they have been operating. They have already supplied systems to key research and industrial institutions around the world, which are using their equipment to push CNT technology into novel electronic applications. This emerging technology is highly complimentary to our core skill set and so we are eagerly looking forward to Ken and Nalin joining the Aixtron team at an exciting time for their customers.”

Axitron did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.

See related items:

Aixtron’s Q2 order growth driven by demand for LED production equipment

Aixtron quashes takeover bid speculation

See: Aixtron Company Profile

Visit: http://www.aixtron.com