IBM and Central Glass collaborate on fluoromaterials; Expect future advances in environmentally-friendly technologies

IBM and Tokyo-based Central Glass Company have announced a joint research initiative to explore fluoromaterials for advanced technologies. As part of this new relationship, chemists from Central Glass will collaborate with IBM chemists and engineers at the IBM Almaden Research Centre in San Jose on projects exploring advanced patterning and other applications including new materials for future environmental technologies.

''This collaboration brings together chemists from Central Glass who have experience with the functional materials used in applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to electronics, and IBM chemists and engineers with expertise in the design of functional materials for advanced technology,'' said Gian-Luca Bona, manager of science and technology, IBM Almaden Research Center.

Fluoromaterials -- materials that contain fluorine atoms -- are key to advances in immersion lithography, a chip fabrication technique that employs water between the resist and the imaging lens with the goal of reaching higher resolution than currently possible using traditional dry methods.

Fluoromaterials are also expected to impact positively advanced nano-membrane materials to solve emerging environmental issues such as water purification or desalination, part of IBM's Project Big Green, a $1 billion investment to dramatically increase the efficiency of IBM products and services.

''This unique combination of skills will help us further explore future technology applications for a broad range of uses from chip manufacturing to environmental issues,'' Bona explained.

''We have tremendous respect for the depth and breadth of IBM's research capabilities,'' said Kentaro Tsutsumi, managing director, Central Glass. ''We view this as a strategic extension of our research and development program with business opportunities in both the information technology and environmental fields.'' 

Chemists from Central Glass will begin working with the IBM team at a new chemical synthesis laboratory housed at IBM's Almaden Research Center.
This latest announcement reflects IBM's strategy to collaborate with other companies and academic partners to drive advances in fundamental research. IBM has announced research partnerships to work on next-generation lithography and self assembly, and also works closely with other companies to conduct advanced R&D that is essential to the development of future generations of nanotechnology.