Singapore Launches Foundry to Fast Track Nanoimprinted Products

SINGAPORE, September 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

A new Nanoimprint Foundry, led by Singapore A*STAR's Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), will bridge the gap between laboratory-based nanotechnologies and real-world products.

The pioneer initiative brings together nanotechnology suppliers and manufacturers to speed up productisation of nanoimprinting, which imbues ordinary surfaces with unique properties for sectors like consumer care, biomedical devices, optics, filtration, displays and maritime.

Adhesives without sticky residues, 'skins' that keep medical instruments germ-free, anti-reflective films for displays or surfaces that keep barnacles of ships. These are some of the product possibilitiesfor nanoimprint technology, which also has potential applications in contact lenses, biomedical cell scaffolds or anti-frost materials. The new A*STAR Nanoimprint Foundry in Singapore was launched to develop, test-bed and prototype specially engineered plastics and surfaces for the specific purpose of commercialising the technologies.

The Foundry is part of an A*STAR masterplan to push translational research, accelerate commercialisation of home-grown technologies, and enhance Singapore's high-value manufacturing sector, in concert withother A*STAR research institutes, and government agencies. IMRE will partner companies like Toshiba Machines Co Ltd, EV Group, NTT Advanced Technology Corporation, NIL Technology ApS, Kyodo International Inc., micro resist technology GmbH,Nanoveu Pte Ltd and Solves Innovative Technology Pte Ltd to produce prototypes for real-world products and applications.

"We can help companies develop up to 20,000 samples for proof-of-concept and pilot production allowing manufacturers to shorten the product cycle but minus the heavy capital R&D investment," said Dr Karen Chong, the IMRE scientist who heads the Foundry, adding that the Foundry is a one-stop shop for companies seeking to conceive, design and develop solutions for new, revolutionary products based on the versatile nanoimprint technology.

For full release and information on A*STAR's Nanoimprint Foundry, please visit http://www.imre.a-star.edu.sg

About A*STAR IMRE

A*STAR IMRE has capabilities in materials analysis & characterisation, design & growth, patterning & fabrication, and synthesis & integration. IMRE conducts a wide range of research like novel materials for sensors & transducers, consumer care, organic solar cells, photovoltaics, printed electronics, catalysis, bio-mimetics, microfluidics, quantum dots, heterostructures, sustainable materials, atom technology, etc.

About A*STAR

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.A*STAR oversees 20 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR's research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories.Please visit http://www.a-star.edu.sg.

For media enquiries, contact:

Mr Eugene Low
Manager, Corporate Communications
for Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
3, Research Link
Singapore 117602
DID +65-6874-8491
Mobile +65-9230-9235
Email loweom@scei.a-star.edu.sg

For technical enquiries, contact:

Dr Karen Chong
Scientist III, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
3, Research Link
Singapore 117602
DID +65-6874-8426
E-mail karen-chong@imre.a-star.edu.sg

SOURCE A*STAR The Agency for Science, Technology and Research