IBM and ETH-Zürich form strategic partnership in nanoscience

IBM and the ETH-Zürich are linking up in a $90 million laboratory dedicated to nanotechnology research. The new building will be housed on campus of the IBM Zürich Research Laboratory in Rüschlikon, and should be open for research in 2011.

The lab 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, nanophotonics, spintronics, nanowires, and tribology.

Described as a novel model for shared research, the facility will have more than 900 square metres of cleanroom area and have three sections: one each for exclusive use by IBM and ETH–Zürich, and one area that both partners will share.

The partners will share expenditure for infrastructure, while IBM alone will be responsible for the building investment. ETH-Zürich will rent the space and share  operational costs with IBM. The 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. For ETH-Zürich the new lab will complement its existing research infrastructure at ETH–Zürich Hönggerberg and city-located sites. The new centre will also allow the ETH’s students to pursue their research in close collaboration with an industrial partner, seen as an important asset in the ETH’s engineering education.

The nanotech lab is aimed at innovation, but the partnership itself is also innovative. “By creating this common research centre, IBM is expanding a collaborative and cooperative research program aimed at accelerating our understanding and implementation of nanotechnology and its broad range of applications,” said John E. Kelly III, Director of IBM Research. “We see this type of collaboration as an emerging model for future industry–academic partnerships.”

“This nanotech lab will have a strong value-add, not only for the participating institutions, but for Swiss industry as a whole,” said ETH President Professor Ralph Eichler, “as we are open to collaborations with Swiss companies and research institutes.”