Agilent, Asylum Research to develop nanotechnology techniques and applications

July 19, 2005, Palo Alto and Santa Barbara, CA--Agilent Technologies and Asylum Research have signed a joint development agreement to collaborate on technologies and applications in the area of nanotechnology measurements. Agilent is also making an equity investment in Asylum Research. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Agilent's nanotechnology-measurements division, part of the company's test-and-measurement business, is focused on the development of tools for the growing nanotechnology market. Asylum Research develops atomic-force microscopes (AFMs), the principal measurement tools used by researchers working in nanotechnology. Atomic-force microscopes are used to measure the shape and properties of materials at the nanometer scale, and can also move particles and molecules from one position to another.

The agreement announced today will allow Agilent to begin developing new features for AFMs as well as gain more knowledge about AFM technologies and customer needs. It will also enable the companies to jointly develop techniques and applications by leveraging the technologies and strengths of each organization.

"The joint development agreement underscores our commitment to new technologies and markets," said Bob Burns, vice president and general manager of Agilent's nanotechnology measurements division. "The AFM market is a significant portion of the $1 billion market for nanotechnology measurement tools, with the segment growing at close to 20% a year."

"We expect this collaboration to result in applications development and new measurements for atomic force microscopy," said Dr. Roger Proksch, president of Asylum. "The partnership will allow each company to leverage its strengths, which include measurement science, optics, biotechnology, and micromechanics."