Nanotechnology institutes in JapanOsaka 28 March 2001 A Japanese government and several Japanese universities will establish nanotechnology research institutes. The research aims to develop, for example, fingertip-size supercomputers and non-degradable plastics, and promote technology transfer to industry.
The laboratories will be established by the University of Tokyo, Osaka
University, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tohoku University and an
independent administrative agency to be set up in April under the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Osaka University plans to set up in April 2002 a facility comprising about 10
divisions, which would cover fields ranging from materials to biotechnology.
Research would focus on developing technology with practical applications, such
as a biochip that can be embedded in the human body.
A facility to be established by year-end by the University of Tokyo is expected
to build a database on such materials as high polymers and metals in the hope of
developing completely new materials.
The Tokyo Institute of Technology will open a facility in spring 2002 that hopes
to develop a component for use in quantum computers.
The independent administrative agency will complete in 2003 a 4 billion yen
facility in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, to study nanotechnology materials.
Tohoku University plans to team up with Sharp Corp. (6753) and eight other firms
to find ways to apply nanotechnology to chip production.
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