Sumitomo Licenses NEC Nanotube TechSumitomo Licenses NEC Nanotube Tech

Sumitomo receives non-exclusive license under basic Japanese patents owned by NEC that cover the 'carbon nanotube'

March 3, 2004

2 Min Read

TOKYO -- Sumitomo Corporation (TSE:8053) and NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today jointly announced that a patent license agreement has been concluded between the two companies granting Sumitomo a non-exclusive license under basic Japanese patents owned by NEC that cover the "carbon nanotube."

The carbon nanotube is a graphite material that was discovered by Dr. Sumio Iijima, a senior research fellow at NEC, in 1991. It is drawing significant attention worldwide as a central material for nanotechnology. Boasting an extremely fine structure that has a diameter measuring on the nanometer-scale (thin tube-shaped material) and superior carbon characteristics, the carbon nanotube acts as a highly efficient electron source, which is soon expected to be in practical use in, for example, the flat panel displays industry. In addition, owing to its crystal completeness and miniature structure, carbon nanotube technology is expected to be applied to extremely lightweight and high-strength raw materials, fuel cells, ultra-sensitive sensors, high-resolution AFM probes, catalysts, absorbents, pharmaceutical capsules, and so on.

Anticipating a rapid increase in demand for carbon nanotube material (single-wall carbon nanotubes) in a wide variety of fields and applications, Sumitomo recognized the necessity to acquire the license under NEC's two basic patents in order to expand its business, not only in Japan, but also throughout Asia.

"Acquiring the license under NEC's carbon nanotube patents will enable us to contribute to the development of industrial applications of the carbon nanotube, and will also grant us a head start over the competition," said Yutaka Takagi, Corporate Officer and General Manager of the Electronics Division of Sumitomo Corporation. "This move simultaneously supports the American manufacturing firm CNI's (Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc.) single-wall carbon nanotube application and product development, and Sumitomo's plans to aggressively carry out further sales promotion."

"NEC's carbon nanotube patents under which Sumitomo has acquired a license from NEC are basic patents and, therefore, it is necessary to acquire a license from NEC in order to gain the rights to manufacture, or sell etc. carbon nanotubes,"said Botaro Hirosaki, Associate Senior Vice President of NEC's Intellectual Asset Operations Unit. "NEC is proactively working on the development of industrial applications of carbon nanotubes. Having concluded the first patent license agreement for carbon nanotubes with Sumitomo, NEC is ready to grant a license under its patents, with suitable conditions, to those companies which require a license."

Sumitomo Corp.

NEC Corp.

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