GIA released a comprehensive global report on microscopes markets. Scanning-probe and charged particle microscopes were severely hit by the recession, as the microscopes are largely used in semiconductor industry. Going forward, scanning probe microscopes represents the fastest growing product segment in the global microscopes market.

Leica Microsystems and Digital Surf announced an agreement whereby Leica Map surface imaging and metrology software, based on Digital Surf's Mountains Technology, will be used with the Leica Application Suite (LAS) for Leica industrial microscopes.

McPherson’s high-resolution spectrometer, Model 2061, is now available for scanning and imaging applications via 2D CCD or CMOS detectors. It suits emission, luminescence, Raman (strained Silicon), and high-temperature plasma measurement with better than 0.02nm full width half maximum spectra.

LASER COMPONENTS expands its COUNT series of single photon counting modules to include the new COUNT^blue devices. These combine low count rates with higher detection efficiencies at shorter wavelengths.

Camera Particle Tracking (CPT) technology  is a technique developed at Glasgow University to enhance quantitative measurement capability in research involving optical trapping. Current systems can only measure the force exerted on one particle, but the CPT technology will enable the collection of data from multiple particles at a higher rate.

The Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton, U.K., purchased a DPN 5000 System from NanoInk's NanoFabrication Systems Division to be used for the fabrication of nanostructured photonic metamaterials, nanophotonics and sensors.

ADA Technologies Inc. received an $70k contract from the U.S. Army to develop advanced electrochemical ultracapacitor systems for use in hybrid electronic vehicles. Low-cost carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite electrode materials will be leveraged for the systems.

Students are invited to compete for fellowships to implement graphene-related research at CEA in Grenoble beginning in January 2012. Teams participating in the Graphene Fundamentals and Applications Session will receive project mentoring from leading global experts, including a Nobel Prize recipient.

King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology signed an agreement with imec to host researchers from KACST-INTEL consortium Center of Excellence in Nano-manufacturing Applications at imec facilities in Belgium starting September 2011, for a period of three years.

An EBPG5000plusES will be delivered to the newly formed Nanotechnology and Application Center (SUNAC) of the Sabanci University based in Istanbul. The Gaussian Beam system fulfills the challenging requirements of the institute which will collaborate in the field of nanotechnology research with other institutions.