Advance Nanotech Invests in Research Equipment for University of Cambridge

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2005--

Nanobeam NBo Electron Beam to Speed Development Efforts of AVNA Portfolio Companies, Enabling Rapid Prototyping for New Nanodevices

“The E-Beam technology speeds innovation by enabling researchers to build, test and modify nanodevices faster and more accurately than before.”

Advance Nanotech, Inc., (OTC BB:AVNA.OB - News), the premier provider of services, support and financing to drive the commercialization of nanotechnology discoveries, today announced that it has invested in the procurement of an electron beam lithography (EBL) tool for use on the development of Advance Nanotech technologies at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom). The EBL will directly benefit researchers at the university and at several of AVNA's portfolio companies in the UK. The device will enable scientists to quickly and accurately carve components for prototype nanodevices, speeding the advancement of discoveries in nanotechnology.

The procurement was made in partnership with The Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics (CAPE) at the University of Cambridge in the UK. CAPE is an integrated Research Facility for Electrical Engineering with a staff of 22 academics, 70 post-doctoral researchers and 170 research students. The CAPE program is funded by Advance Nanotech, Alps Electric Company Limited, Dow Corning Corporation and Marconi Corporation plc, and is designed to encourage research activities to proceed to development and exploitation in close collaboration with industry. The program enables designers and engineers within academia and industry to benefit from the burgeoning developments in advanced photonics and electronics. In the past five years, approximately 70 patents have been filed and ten spin-out companies have been formed from CAPE research projects.

"This investment goes hand-in-hand with Advance Nanotech's mission to provide infrastructure and support for the discovery and commercialization of nanotechnology through partnerships with leading universities and fledgling companies," said Magnus Gittins, president and CEO of Advance Nanotech. "The E-Beam technology speeds innovation by enabling researchers to build, test and modify nanodevices faster and more accurately than before."

EBL is a process that employs a focused beam of electrons to transfer software-defined patterns onto a silicon wafer with nanometer resolution. The technology is typically used in designing or building semiconductor devices, but can also be used to create complex integrated circuits or photonic devices. As the patterns are software defined, EBL allows researchers to implement their ideas quickly and hence reduces the time to market for new semiconductor devices.

"The Nanobeam NB0 electron beam lithography tool provides us with rapid prototyping capabilities for building next generation nanodevices," said Bill Milne, a member of the Advance Nanotech Scientific Advisory Board and leader of the CAPE research project. "With the ability to accept wafers or samples up to 8" in diameter through its 10 chuck airlock, this system allows us, for the first time, to process a large range of samples which are needed for various applications."

The Nanobeam EBL boasts impressive throughput due to its large write current of 10nA at <10nm beam size with a deflection throughput of 30MHz. Recently, 50nm dots and 20nm lines (limits due to processing, not tool spot size) were drawn over a single 500x500um deflection field size. The tool also has laser interferometry integrated into its stage, allowing us to accurately pattern over full 8" wafers. The automatic alignment and overlay features of the EBL achieved stitching and registration with errors less than 40nm."

About Advance Nanotech, Inc.

Advance Nanotech Inc. is dedicated to ensuring nanotechnology discoveries reach maximum market potential through successful commercialization. Advance is the trusted guide to commercial success for nanotech entrepreneurs spanning the globe, partnering with leading universities to provide scientists and researchers with mission critical infrastructure support to transform their discoveries to marketable solutions. The organization provides a range of services and support including financing, leadership assets, and counsel on intellectual property, licensing and regulatory issues. With a portfolio of nearly 20 companies developing technologies which offer potentially breakthrough nanotechnology discoveries in the electronics, biopharma and materials sectors, Advance's goal is to transform the potential for nanotechnology discoveries into innovative products that further evolve existing industries and enable new markets.

About the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

The Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge is one of Europe's largest integrated engineering departments, it provides a unique environment for the community of academics to pursue their ideas, work together in teams, and partner with others. The Department's breadth and depth of expertise means that it is recognised as an international leader.

The Department's new strategy sets the aim of addressing the world's most pressing challenges with science and technology, working in collaboration with other disciplines, other institutions, companies, and the entrepreneurial community. By attracting the best academics and students in the world, the Department excels at both research and teaching.

Department of Engineering: http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/

Strategy for the Department of engineering: http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/stories/strategy/

About the University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge's reputation for outstanding academic achievement is known worldwide and reflects the intellectual achievement of its students, as well as the world-class original research carried out by the staff of the University and the Colleges.

As Cambridge approaches its 800th anniversary in 2009, it is looking to the future. It continues to change in response to the challenges it faces. The modern University is an international centre of teaching and research in a vast range of subjects: about half of the students study science or technology. Members of the University have won over 80 Nobel Prizes. (www.cam.ac.uk)