September 04, 2012

German tech firm to have presence at NanoCollege

By: Eric Anderson

Source: Times Union

Scientists, investment to mark tech company's arrival at NanoCollege

ALBANY — A German manufacturer of advanced thin-film deposition equipment will establish a research presence at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

Singulus Technologies will invest $12 million and bring at least 20 scientists and researchers, along with advanced tools used in the fabrication of microprocessors, to the Albany NanoTech complex on Fuller Road.

The company, based in Germany's Bavaria region, joins businesses and organizations such as IBM, Intel, Sematech, Samsung, Tokyo Electron and GlobalFoundries at the NanoTech complex.

Singulus is developing machines and processes for use in the production of MRAM storage media, a magnetic storage technology with high write and read speed, the company said.

Researchers say it has advantages over other types of computer memory, with its lower power consumption and denser storage.

Singulus officials believe a move to Albany will benefit further development of their technologies.

"We are very optimistic about the potential of know-how transfer for MRAM storage media, and are excited to be developing processes for TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance) materials with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, which is recognized around the world as the global leader in innovation and commercialization of advanced technology," said Wolfram Maass, managing director of the Singulus NDT business unit.

"The technology they bring will augment resources that are already here," said Steve Janack, CNSE vice president for marketing and communications.

Singulus will develop its technologies on 300mm fabrication equipment, which is expected to shorten the amount of time it takes to move from research and development to production.

Meanwhile, construction on CNSE's newest building, which will house the Global 450mm Consortium, is progressing, with completion expected by the end of the year. The building will add nearly 1,000 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations.