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One goal, two ways


They research in startups or in the labs of multinationals - which nanotech-researchers will be there first, is still unknown. Let's have a view inside the labs of those who redefine the meaning of small.

The hallway in the basement is long and curvy. Machines no longer in use and old furniture makes it hard to pass by. The last door, next to the Coke machine, gives way to the lab of Versilant Nanotechnologies in a side building at the University of Pennsylvania. More chaos behind the door: On turquoise blue shelves from the 50's are brand new, expensive ovens and measuring scales. The sink has been ruined by aging chemicals.

Within this universe works Cynthia Kuper, the founder of this startup. She is one of the most well-known faces of nanotechnology. The 29 year-old worked with Nobel-laureate Rick Smalley and talked to Congress about the opportunities in nanotechnology. She tries to structure nanotubes, the smallest tubes out of carbon, that are many times lighter and stronger than steel, into a plastic, and to harvest the first material out of the wonder-matter. A grant from NASA pays for her and her four employees. The University provides the room for free.

Change of scenery: Ruschlikon, idyl at Lake Zurich in Switzerland. A concrete structure is placed in the middle of greenery - it is home to one of eight labs of multinational IBM. Here researches Peter Vettiger, leader of the Mem and Nem systems group, about Millipede. That is a nanomechanical memory storage, that could store 40 times the current amount of data on a computer hard drive.

For 61 year-old Vettiger, who has worked for IBM for 35 years, this is his final project - his project of a lifetime. Money does not matter, he can use as much as he wants. Even though IBM spends less then 2 percent of its total R+D on nanotechnology, it is enough for 50 researchers worldwide. Eight of those work with Vettiger. On his team: Nobel laureate Gerd Binnig.

IBM is one of eight multinationals that do research about nanotechnology. Kuper's Versilant is one of many startups that are joining the race in Europe and the US. Daily, new companies are being founded. Often they are funded with government money because venture capitalist have just recently started to explore the field. Still, it is completely open who will be successful and who won't. But whoever takes the lead, will revolutionize the world.

Kuper builds up a startup, Vettiger researches within a huge company. Also, their way of approaching nanotechnology could not be more opposed. Kuper tries to manipulate the nanotubes, so that a larger structure is built up: a material. Vettiger wants to miniaturize todays mechanics, so that his storage chips enter the world of nanotechnology.

Both are like fire and water, but they also have much in common. Both work in small teams with freedom and enthusiasm. "With nanotechnology I live my vision for the future," says Kuper. Vettiger sees it just like this. His wife thinks he works way to much. Recently, when he was on his mountain bike, he almost crashed because his thoughts were all into a Millipede.

Both like the trial and error procedure: "Under the microscope, the nanotubes look like boiled spaghetti," says Kuper. She wants to sort and arrange them through chemical processes into a material that is 100 times stronger than steel, but way lighter. She thinks it will take her three to five years to finally get there. Then she wants to deliver the material to manufacturers and earn money. Not only does NASA need such materials, but it would be ideal for cars and sporting goods.

Vettiger likens his approach to a caterpillar. Because a caterpillar of 1000 little feet - each of them the head of a atomic force microscope, drills holes into a polymer. Every nanohole can store information. Will his vision become reality, the capacity of magnetic storage will be outpassed. A Lexicon would fit into a watch. He wants to deliver his product until 2005 - and then retire.

None of the two researchers would like to change places: "Our experience in nanotechnology is something money can't buy," says Kuper, who as a 15year-old gained her first experience with nanotechnology on a summer school-project. She believes that for most of the multinationals nanotechnology research is just one tiny area - they concentrate their efforts on improving today's products to enhance business. Vettiger says, he would sometimes like to have smaller decision ways. But, "IBM has all the equipment needed for nanotechnology research in-house. Our network and money is our largest advantage to startups."

Kuper's company is years away from going public - it is even too early a stage for venture capital. Also, IBM's efforts don't influence the price of its stock, yet. Nanotech is just being born. The situation reminds Kuper of a Formula-one-race: "Everyone wants to get the pole position, but nobody knows who will win in the end."

Source: Borse Online
October 2001
Author: N. Husmann / G. Breu / G. Pollersbeck