On March 4, 2025, Resonac and Shimadzu Corporation announced the signing of a license agreement concerning patented technology for Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM). This agreement is expected to facilitate the incorporation of Resonac’s “fracture length” technology into Shimadzu’s SPM optional software, introducing a new measurement indicator in the field of materials science.
What is SPM? Why is it Important?
SPM is a high-precision microscopy technology that allows for the observation of material surfaces at the nanometer scale, making it an essential tool for research, development, and quality control. It operates by bringing a probe attached to the tip of a cantilever close to a material’s surface, using the forces exerted by the surface to generate high-resolution images, enabling detailed analysis of material properties.
In recent years, industries such as semiconductors and biotechnology have increasingly required precise analysis of microscopic structures and physical properties of material surfaces. As a result, advancements in SPM accuracy and analysis techniques hold great significance for the industry as a whole.
The Innovation of the “Fracture Length” Technology
Resonac developed and patented the “fracture length” technology in 2022, significantly enhancing SPM’s analytical capabilities. This technology focuses on the range of attractive forces acting between the material surface and the probe (fracture length), enabling efficient analysis and visualization of this data.
Traditional methods, such as “adhesion force imaging” and “elastic modulus imaging,” often struggled to clearly capture material surface properties. In contrast, fracture length imaging not only provides sharper images but also allows for the analysis of detailed information, such as whether the observed force is “strong and long-range” or “strong and short-range.” This advancement establishes fracture length as a new indicator for material characterization.
The Significance of Collaboration with Shimadzu Corporation
Shimadzu Corporation is a globally renowned company in the field of analytical and measurement instruments. Its recognition of the versatility and high analytical accuracy of Resonac’s fracture length technology, along with its consideration for adoption in SPM optional software, demonstrates the technology’s strong practical potential.
Through this license agreement, Shimadzu’s SPM users will gain a new perspective on material analysis, enabling measurements beyond conventional indicators. This will allow researchers and engineers in materials science to obtain more precise and detailed data, leading to new insights.
Future Prospects
This agreement marks a significant milestone in the evolution of SPM technology. In particular, establishing fracture length as a new measurement indicator has the potential to dramatically improve material analysis methodologies.
The following developments are expected in the future:
- Expansion of industrial applications
Adoption across various industries, including semiconductors, nanotechnology, medical, and biotechnology.
- Further technological advancements
Development of new analytical methods utilizing fracture length technology.
- Global expansion
Leveraging Shimadzu’s international sales network to provide this technology to research institutions and companies worldwide.
Enhancing SPM’s analytical capabilities will accelerate material development and drive further innovation. The collaboration between Resonac and Shimadzu is expected to bring groundbreaking technological advancements in the coming years.