Posted: December 3, 2007

Singapore sets up nanoscale measurement facility

(Nanowerk News) Singapore today joins the ranks of the advanced countries in being able to make minute measurements with atomic precision with the setting up of a new nano-scale measurement facility here.
Announcing it today, Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran, said the facility located at the country's Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING) was the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.
"In addition to positioning Singapore as a hub for nanotechnology activities, we also intend to develop Singapore into a centre for nanotech-related standards and metrology," he said when opening the Nanosymposium 2007 organised by SPRING here.
He said SPRING's nanometrology facility was part of the country's five-year metrology roadmap and S$10 million was set aside in 2004 for this purpose.
It had taken Singapore three years to develop and establish its nanometrology capability, which involved the recruitment of scientists, a fact-finding mission to advanced laboratories in the United States, Europe and Japan, as well as the training of staff, he added.
Iswaran said the facility would ensure that ultra-precise measurements made by industry were accurate and reliable, and more importantly, meet international standards.
He said his ministry had earmarked S$20 million a year for nanotech-related research and development (R&D) and manpower development.
Currently, there are about 40 nanotechnology companies in Singapore, a significant increase from just 10 companies three years ago, which are involved in chemicals, semiconductor, precision engineering and biomedical industries.
About 340 participants from 20 countries are taking part in the four-day Nanosymposium.
Source: Bernama