Nano Tera Technology Center building is completed [2002.11.26] Sumitomo Osaka Cement has constructed a new building for its New Technology Research Laboratory to accelerate the development of new products and future generations technology. The "Nano Tera Technology Center" is designated to the development of ultra-fine particle applied technology by the usage of nano technology, and to expand the fusion of technologies. 1. The facility features On every floor, laboratories and offices are situated next to each other. To increase the amount of daylight and to improve communication, the offices are glass-walled. Auditorium, conference room, library, terrace cafeteria, etc. are located in the building as shared facilities for the Funabashi region. With these facilities SOC is aiming for stronger ties between their laboratories and sales divisions. * Funabashi region...New Technology Research Laboratory, Advanced Materials, The manufacturing division of Optoelectronics, Cement division in Kanto Region Technology Center, construction materials division 2. Efforts and recent accomplishments in New Technology Research Laboratory (1) Advanced Materials The Advanced Materials department is using their ultra-fine particle manufacturing/dispersing technique to develop business in anti-static, anti-reflection coatings, films, plastic plates, ceramic materials, components for medical applications, semiconductor manufacturing systems, etcetera. Currently the Advanced Materials department is reinforcing the research and development of the unconventional synthetic method of nano particles, and as its applications, and has already succeeded to synthesize electrode materials for lithium batteries. In the ceramics field, the department has worked on the research and development in electrostatic zippers by using SiC nano particles. The static zipper for LCD manufacturing systems is soon to be commercialized. They are also actively working on research and development in a long-term perspective. In their devotion for basic technologies, the department is joining several governmental projects: "Innovative solar cell," "New nano particle synthesis," and "High temperature electronic device" of industrial, administrative and academic sectors guidance research. (2) Optoelectronics Optoelectronics is manufacturing and distributing optical components such as LiNbO3 (LN) modulators, wavelength stabilizing modules and optical transmitter and receiver for CATV which are the key devises for WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplex) optical communications networks. The LN modulator has excellent transmittancy, and until now, they have only been used for long-distance long hauls. However, the possibility of using the modulators to metro networks arose due to the increasing demand for larger capacity of metro networks, and Optoelectronics developed smaller integrated LN modulator. Recently, they succeeded to develop a downsized modulator that is half the size of conventional modulators. Optoelectronics is now working on the research and development of 40G bit/s LN modulator, optical SSB modulator, polarization independent modulator, etc. for future generation�fs super large capacity and high-density communications needs. 3. Facility overview Name: New Technology Research Laboratory Nano Tera Technology Center Location: 585 Toyotomi, Funabashi-city, Chiba JAPAN Measurements: Steel structure (partly steel reinforced concrete) Four floors Lot area 3489 m2 Floor 3859 m2 Construction period: Initiated in January 2002 Completed in October 2002 Completion ceremony on November 27 2002 Designed and built by: Kashima, Sumitomo Construction Investment: Approximately one billion yen