Monday, March 3, 2008

UTD nanotech research draws South Korean investment, industrial partners

By Pegasus News wire

UTD

No, this is not a TV test screen or an Escher sketch - it's actually a nano-connector design being explored by researchers, according to the notes.

The University of Texas at Dallas has announced they'll be receiving over $14 million in research funding to be applied to their Texas FUSION (Future Semiconductor Commercialization) program, $6 million of which will come from the South Korean government. (The remainder of the funding derives from the State of Texas' Emerging Technology Fund, the U.S. Government and private industry.)

Working in concert with a group of South Korean electronics companies, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Military Tech LLC, the University of Texas at Austin, UT Tyler and UT Southwestern Medical Center, the UTD FUSION folks will work to bring nanotech breakthroughs quickly into ready-for-market form, with a goal of bringing new laboratory applications to consumers and industrial users in as little as two years.

Says UTD President David E. Daniel: "The knowledge that will be transferred from our labs has the potential to help critical Texas industries such as medical, defense and telecoms compete in world markets.”

Dr. Moon Kim: UTD's nano-guy

The FUSION project's principal investigator, Dr. Moon Kim, notes that - as a result of (and in support of) the collaborative effort - seven South Korean companies are planning to open offices in North Texas. These companies include Siltron, Jusung, Dongjin Semi, Poongsan, KC Tech and DMS. What's in it for the South Korean firms? Why, the opportunity to get an early foot in the door of the profitable U.S. electronics market.

Plus, nano-critters are so dang CUTE!

posted by JM

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