Electro Scientific Industries (ESI; Portland, OR), provider of photonic systems for microengineering applications, announced that Lund University selected ESI's LaserMill micromachining system for the production of micro-wires and circuitry. It is believed that the wires and circuitry—which could eventually be implanted into the human brain—conduct electrical current to specific areas of the brain to lessen the impairment of motor skills associated with Parkinson's (see also "Nanoparticle silences drug-addiction gene, promises treatment of other diseases (like Parkinson's)").
"We are thrilled to be aiding Lund University with such revolutionary research and development," said Michael Stubelt, director of marketing for ESI's New Wave Research Division. "This is an unusual application for our LaserMill system, but it underscores the tool's wide versatility and remarkable accuracy. The system offers significant flexibility by allowing users to switch between two wavelengths (532 nm/355 nm), while performing micro-precision cutting of various materials and surfaces." While the average human hair has a diameter of between 17 and 181 microns, the tool's high precision, says ESI, will enable Lund's researchers to work with wires as small as 5 microns in diameter.
Lund University was founded in 1666 and is an international center for research and education with approximately 38,000 students. Lund University is respected as one of the best universities in Sweden. For more information about Lund University, go to www.lu.se/lund-university.
In related news, a recent merger of ESI and Zygo was terminated; see "Zygo Board withdraws recommendation for ESI merger."
For more information on ESI, go to www.esi.com.
