MIMOS CERTIFIED AS A NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

MIMOS’ Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence is well positioned to become the key catalyst for Malaysia’s Nanotechnology Development and Commercialization

MIMOS’ Director of Research for MEMS/NEMS & Nanoelectronics, Mr. Saat Shukri Embong.

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 AUGUST 2011 – MIMOS, the premier applied research centre in frontier technologies, has been certified as one of five national Nanotechnology Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the NanoMalaysia Programme.

In line with the national aspiration of making Nanotechnology the enabling engine for the new economic growth, MIMOS’ Nanotechnology CoE is focusing on incorporating Nanotechnology to its platforms which are expected to directly contribute towards the National Key Focus Areas (NKEAs) namely in Agriculture, Health, Education, Government, and Communications.

MIMOS current Nano-related R&D efforts include the development of its top-down and bottom-up Nanofabrication, Nanomaterial processing and Nanodevices testing facilities. As part of its characterisation and analysis efforts, MIMOS also focuses on simulation, modelling and formulation of mathematical models of its Nanofabrication, Nanomaterials and Nanodevices.

“We are also working closely with the National Nanotechnology Directorate (NND) to provide a common platform for universities, research centers and industries aimed at building collaborations towards a concerted effort in developing the nation’s Nanotechnology capabilities. This also involves establishing MIMOS as the gateway for international collaboration in state-of-art Nanotechnology research. As part of its intentions, MIMOS strives to the be the preferred shared facility in Nanofabrication, Nanocharacterization and full scale manufacturing of Nano-based devices for the country as well as being the regional referral centre in Nanoelectronics,” said MIMOS’ Director of Research for MEMS/NEMS & Nanoelectronics, En. Saat Shukri Embong.

MIMOS Sensor Systems and Solutions Technology Platform Roadmap

MIMOS’ sensor systems and solutions technology platform roadmap from 2011 to 2015, developed in line with global market growth expectations, is focused on enhancing its sensors and microenergy devices. This would be possible by incorporating Nanotechnology based elements to ensure higher sensitivity, better responses, lower power consumption, smaller size, increased robustness, flexibility and energy storage capacity as well as to make it more ideal for power conversion and cost competitive for other industries such as aquaculture, environmental, health, safety and defense. At current, the Nanoelectronics team efforts focuses on functionalising its Nanomaterials and integrating Nanomaterials with its various sensors and microenergy devices.

Moving forward in 2012, MIMOS’ Nanotechnology R&D efforts will focus on developing gas and heavy metal sensors and digital farming intelligent systems; while in 2013 will see further advancement of its sensors to target applications such as as bio sensors and remote environmental monitoring and food traceability.

In 2014 the focus will be on sweat and body nutrient sensors, livestock and plant disease monitoring systems using Nano-fluidic devices. As a target goal for 2015, these sensors are to be developed into a reconfigurable platform with focus on wearable bio-medical devices integrated with ubiquitous sensors.

According to Cientifica, a global consulting firm that tracks technology from the lab to the boardroom, the market for products enabled by nanotechnology is expected to reach US265 Billion by 2012 and US1.5 Trillion by 2015. The highest growth rates are expected to be in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors although many other niche applications have enormous potential to grow into very significant markets. MIMOS has a comprehensive product development and commercialization practice which aims to help develop the local industries into manufacturers of high valued technological products.

MIMOS Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence (CoE)

MIMOS Nanotechnology CoE has grown from strength to strength in terms of headcount, expertise and capabilities since it was first established in 2004.

To date MIMOS’ Nanotechnology CoE comprises 37 domain experts in Nanotechnology and the target is to increase the number of researchers by two fold over the next five years in line with its goal of becoming the competency development centre for next generation Nanotechnologists. The Nanotechnology Division is also being supported by MIMOS’ very good mix of full time, qualified and internationally renowned researchers, product developers, product and system architects and mathematicians.

The total patent disclosure count for the Nanotechnology CoE has also increased from 24 in 2006 to 190 in 2010, of which 79 have been filed and six patents granted by MyIPO.

MIMOS’ Nanotechnology CoE includes state-of-the-art cleanrooms that houses an array of Nanofabrication equipment, capable of processing up to eight inch wafers and a comprehensive laboratory for nanocharacterisation and analysis. MIMOS has process capability in synthesizing Nanoparticles, Nanowires, Nanotubes and Nanocomposites that are also aimed at waferscale devices.

To date MIMOS Nanotechnology CoE has produced 3 main types of Nanostructures namely Nanoparticles, Nanotubes/Nanowires and Nanocomposites. It has also developed high aspect ratio silicon Nanostructures for various NEMS applications.

“MIMOS’ Nanotechnology CoE is well positioned to become the key catalyst for Malaysia’s Nanotechnology development and commercialization and key driver to ensure Malaysia reaches its goal for Nanotechnology to contribute one per cent to the country’s projected gross national income of RM1.7 trillion by 2020,” En. Saat Shukri Embong said.