Victorian Government

Victoria is now recognised internationally as a leading location for important nanotechnology initiatives including drug delivery, medical diagnostics, tissue growth, advanced materials, textiles and new “cleantech” solutions for energy, water and the environment. Victoria’s progress in nanotechnology has come about through the entrepreneurship and drive of our specialist nanotechnology companies, the dedication of our researchers and the commitment of the Government to championing Victorian nanotechnology to the world. Victoria already has an international leadership position in nanotechnology education, and will have one of the most capable workforces in the future to benefit from the opportunities that nanotechnology presents.

Nanotechnology holds great potential to improve our lives and wellbeing – from targeted drug delivery for cancer and other diseases to cheap and rapid point-of-care medical diagnostics; from stronger and lighter materials for automobiles and aircraft to new textiles for fashion, sport and wound care; from coatings for power generation and water purification to tissue-regeneration and bio-compatible implants; and new sensors, chemical substitutes and additives that will enable us to better monitor and manage our natural resources and the environment.

The Victorian Government is determined to ensure that Victoria remains at the forefront of discoveries, developments and responsible implementation of nanotechnology. The Government is promoting linkages and convergence with our strengths in biotechnology and other areas and applying these advances to solve our most urgent challenges in health, energy, water, transport, climate, manufacturing and environmental sustainability. Most importantly, the Government is determined to foster a strong partnership between government, industry bodies, industry and the research sector that will transform Victoria into a forward-looking, knowledge-based economy that drives business growth across industry sectors.

The Australian Office of Nanotechnology (AON) at the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is responsible for implementation of the National Nanotechnology Strategy (NNS). The AON maintains a network across government departments and agencies to facilitate communication and information sharing on policy and program issues related to nanotechnology. This includes coordinating work on health, safety and environment issues, analysing the economic and social impacts of nanotechnology and international engagement. It will also work with industry groups to encourage the uptake of nanotechnology and promote Australian nanotechnology capability internationally. The Public Awareness and Engagement Program aims to increase awareness and understanding of nanotechnology and its potential, and to encourage an informed public debate through improved awareness and understanding of social and ethical issues regarding the use of nanotechnology. This will be done through public forums, public attitude surveys and educational and promotional materials. The AON also works with other agencies implementing the NNS. These include the National Measurement Institute which is establishing nano-particle metrology capability and regulatory agencies which are addressing the health, safety and environmental (HSE) impacts of nanotechnology on regulations and standards.

EV Group

EV Group (EVG) is a world leader in wafer-processing solutions for semiconductor, MEMS and nanotechnology applications. Through close collaboration with its global customers, the company implements its flexible manufacturing model to develop reliable, high-quality, low-cost-of-ownership systems that are easily integrated into customers’ fab lines. Key products include wafer bonding, lithography/nanoimprint lithography (NIL) and metrology equipment, as well as photoresist coaters, cleaners and inspection systems.

In addition to its dominant share of the market for wafer bonders, EVG holds a leading position in NIL and lithography for advanced packaging and MEMS. Along these lines, the company co-founded the EMC-3D consortium in 2006 to create and help drive implementation of a cost-effective through-silicon via (TSV) process for chip packaging and MEMS/sensors. Other target semiconductor-related markets include silicon-on-insulator (SOI), compound semiconductor and silicon-based power-device solutions.

Founded in 1980, EVG is headquartered in St. Florian, Austria, and operates via a global customer support network, with subsidiaries in Tempe, Ariz.; Albany, N.Y.; Yokohama and Fukuoka, Japan; and Chung-Li, Taiwan. The company’s vertical infrastructure allows EVG to respond quickly to new technology developments, apply the technology to manufacturing challenges and expedite device manufacturing in high volume. More information is available at www.evgroup.com

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is Australia’s peak body for supporting health and medical research. The NHMRC incorporates the National Institute of Clinical Studies, which is charged with closing the gap between best available evidence and current clinical practice. The NHMRC is an internationally recognised independent, expert body on a range of issues that directly affect the health and wellbeing of all Australians, and strives to improve prevention, treatment, and the effectiveness of health care through:

• supporting health and medical research;
• developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and government; and
• providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research.

The NHMRC is committed to all research relevant to health – including biomedical, clinical, public health and health services research – and in continuing to expand the frontier of knowledge across all these approaches. In September 2007 well over half a billion dollars was awarded for NHMRC grants commencing in 2008.

The NHMRC has identified nanotechnology as an issue of emerging importance, and supports the development of safe technologies for application in medicine and healthcare within relevant regulatory frameworks and in consideration of health, safety and environmental impacts. In addressing future health challenges, the NHMRC will contribute to an informed public dialogue about nanotechnology and its associated issues through the provision of accurate, important and balanced information.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

CSIRO is Australia's national science agency and one of the world’s largest and most diverse research organisations.

Nanotechnology is an emerging area of science and industry where Australia can have a significant impact. CSIRO is investing in a nanotechnology capability to capture such benefits for Australia.

Our research is currently focussed on delivering outcomes in the energy, composite, electronic, health, environment and security industries through strategic partnerships with scientific and commercial organisations.

Specifically, CSIRO is investing $40m over four years in ‘the Niche Manufacturing Flagship’ to support a new wave of nanotechnology-based industries and to add value to existing high-value segments of the manufacturing sector. www.csiro.au/org/NicheManufacturingFlagshipOverview.html

Research, Development and Prototyping Solutions

Dyesol, an Australian-based nanotechnology and renewable energy company, is the industrial research hub for the world’s network of researchers into Dye Solar Cell (DSC) technology.

Dyesol researches, develops and manufactures Dye Solar Cell (DSC) materials, components and has a range of DSC fabrication and test equipment for laboratory and prototyping known as the Dyesol DSC Laboratory Solution.

The Dyesol DSC suite encompasses a wide range of components, materials including dyes and pastes as well as essential tools and equipment for every stage of the DSC fabrication, testing and performance analysis process.

All products are available from the Dyesol website www.dyesol.com

Raith manufactures a variety of electron and ion beam lithography systems for research and development applications designed to meet the needs of researchers, designers, and engineers in both university and industry settings. Raith nanolithography products range from stand alone electron beam writing tools to retrofit lithography attachments for SEM/FIB. Furthermore Raith develops ultra-high precision stages and navigation packages for failure analysis applications.

Raith electron beam lithography tools and semiconductor navigation systems are in use throughout the world. Customers such as Infineon Technologies, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston or the IBM Research Centre are among the Raith clientele.

In today’s global economy, intellectual assets and, in particular, intellectual property, are the most important sources of value in most organisations, driving growth and sustainable competitive advantage.

Watermark is a leading Australian firm of Patent and Trade Mark attorneys and Intellectual Property lawyers with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, and an extensive network of associate firms in international markets worldwide. Our clients include small companies, major multinational corporations, universities and research organizations. We assist our clients maximise the value of their innovations through the strategic protection and management of their intellectual assets across the value chain from concept to market.

We understand our clients’ business – our highly qualified and experienced practitioners work with you as part of your team to provide commercially effective solutions to meet your business needs. We provide strategic advice and a comprehensive range of intellectual property services encompassing creation, protection, management, commercialisation and enforcement of IP rights.