Oxford Instruments completed acquisition of FemtoTools AG

Oxford Instruments plc, United Kingdom, a leading provider of high technology products and services to industry and scientific research communities, completed the acquisition of FemtoTools AG, Switzerland. The acquisition was first announced on 11 June 2024, and has been completed following the satisfactory conclusion of closing conditions.

FemtoTools specializes in measuring and imaging the properties (primarily the hardness and stiffness) of materials for research and semiconductor applications at very high resolution via a technique called nanoindentation. It joins Oxford Instruments’ Imaging & Analysis division, where its products will be sold in conjunction with the Group’s existing range of materials analysis tools, including electron microscope micro-analyzers and Raman microscopes.

Richard Tyson, chief executive officer, Oxford Instruments plc, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of FemtoTools. We welcome our new colleagues and look forward to working with them to integrate nanoindentation – a new technique to Oxford Instruments – into our extensive portfolio of materials analysis capabilities.”

Christian Lang, managing director, Materials Analysis, Oxford Instruments plc, said: “We’re so pleased that the FemtoTools team have chosen to join Oxford Instruments. We’ve had a number of very positive meetings since the announcement and are already making plans for our future together.

“I’m looking forward to integrating FemtoTools’ brilliant technology into our wider product range, and to working with this talented group of people.”

Felix Beyeler, co-founder of FemtoTools, said: “The team and I are very excited for the journey ahead as part of Oxford Instruments. Working together will enable us to extend the reach of our technology and provide even richer analysis to our combined customer base. We’re also looking forward to learning from the hugely experienced Oxford Instruments team.”

For more information:
Oxford Instruments plc
https://www.oxinst.com

Decoding ultrafast light dynamics with atomic force microscopy

An improved technique for analyzing single-atom defect structures and minor electron behavior disturbance in semiconductor and other materials has been demonstrated by researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan using time-resolved atomic force microscopy combed with ultra-short laser pulse technology.

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Spray Tips: Particle classification by sieve analysis

In powder manufacture, particle size distribution, known as classification, categorizes powders into groups or cuts; sieving, the primary method for separating powders into their size fractions, serves as a diagnostic tool for quality assessment or a manufacturing technique for selecting specific size distributions.

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MA-tek follows big clients as it expands

Materials Analysis Technology Inc., Taiwan, is setting up new laboratories in Kumamoto, Japan, and the US state of Arizona to support its “big clients,” and is eyeing more locations in the future amid the changing IC supply chain landscape.

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Plastometrex continues global expansion with Japanese partnerships

Plastometrex, an advanced mechanical testing technology provider in Cambridge, England, announced its strategic expansion into the Japanese market in partnership with two leading technology companies, Kobe Material Testing Laboratory (KMTL) and AeroEdge. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Plastometrex’s journey towards transforming the global mechanical testing industry.

Since its inception, Plastometrex has had a clear mission of delivering simpler, faster, and more insightful mechanical testing to materials science and engineering teams the world over. Following the commercial launch of its flagship product, the Benchtop Plastometer, the company has enjoyed rapid global expansion, partnering with some of the most recognizable industrial organizations and research institutions in the world. That expansion now continues with a move into Japan, as KMTL, a leading independent testing laboratory in Asia focusing on materials testing services, took delivery of the country’s first Plastometrex device, as part of the newly formed partnership.

With the Plastometer, KMTL will now be able to obtain metal stress-strain curves, measured by the device from indentation test data, in less than 5 minutes. This unlocks unprecedented testing speed and flexibility for users at all stages of the product lifecycle, from alloy design through to failure analysis. KMTL has now added the Plastometer to its comprehensive range of testing services, further strengthening the organization’s position as a technology-forward testing partner.

“We are delighted to be able to introduce the Plastometer to our client base across Japan,” said Nobuhito Tsurui, Executive Vice President, KMTL. “The technology will allow our customers to measure critical mechanical property data from small and challenging-to-test samples for the first time. This will enable them to design, manufacture, and repair their products with greater efficiency and confidence.”

AeroEdge, an engineering services company specializing in machining and additive manufacturing (AM) technology, will be among the first to use KMTL’s new Benchtop Plastometer. Having significantly grown its capability in the printing of aerospace materials, specifically complex titanium aluminides for demanding high-temperature applications, the Plastometrex technology will enable AeroEdge to accelerate the development of these complex AM materials and parts.

“Plastometrex’s novel testing technology enables us to optimize our AM materials with much less material and in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods,” said Kazuhiro Mizuta, Managing Director, AeroEdge. “We are excited to support the introduction of this transformative testing technology to the Japanese market where it will play an important role in supporting the continued adoption of AM in the region.”

“This strategic collaboration with KMTL and AeroEdge is a testament to our commitment to innovation and to our continued global expansion. Japan represents a vibrant and dynamic market, and our partnership with these two esteemed companies will allow us to deliver cutting-edge solutions that drive progress and transformation in metal testing and additive manufacturing.” Mike Coto, CCO, Plastometrex.

 

 

For more information:

AeroEdge

https://aeroedge.co.jp/en/

 

Kobe Material Testing Laboratory

https://en.kmtl.co.jp/

 

Plastometrex

https://plastometrex.com/

Furukawa Electric received the highest rating for CDP’s Supplier Engagement Rating for fourth consecutive year

Furukawa Electric, Tokyo, has received the top rating for its climate change initiatives across the entire supply chain and related information disclosure from CDP, an international environmental NGO. 

This is the fourth year in a row that Furukawa Electric has been recognized with this high rating, having been selected by CDP for its Leader of “A” rated companies. The Supplier Engagement Rating (SER) is an index that rates companies’ engagement with their supply chains concerning climate change issues and promotes coordination among companies in the value chain. Furukawa Electric has been acknowledged for its outstanding climate change initiatives, which are in line with the company’s goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from its business activities (carbon neutral).

To achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and realize Furukawa Electric Group Vision 2030, the company has been working on strengthening its ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) management. Furukawa Electric Group Environmental Vision 2050 was established in March 2021, declaring the company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality. The company has also identified “Creating environmentally-friendly businesses” as a key management issue to be addressed to achieve Vision 2030 and is taking steps to enhance its responses to these materiality issues. Furukawa Electric’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its consistent recognition by CDP highlight the company’s ongoing efforts to lead the way in climate change initiatives and make a positive impact on the world.

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