The General Framework Agreement signed today defines the scope of cooperation between IBM and the Bulgarian government and ways to encourage industry, universities and the Bulgarian Academy of Science to work together in the emerging field of nanoscience. The government's three-year program is aimed at creating different nanoproducts, micromachines and microsystems.

In a separate commercial agreement also being signed today, IBM technology and business consultants will assist the Bulgarian government in establishing a new nanotechnology research facility which will use state-of-the-art equipment to explore and develop new innovations in nanoscience. To enable the computing-intensive projects, the new laboratory will draw on IBM's Blue Gene -- the most powerful Bulgarian supercomputer, owned by Bulgarian State Agency for Information Technology and Communications

"Realising high-tech projects like this is key in the current environment when it is important to not only focus on short-term measures, but to also create the basis for future recovery," said Plamen Oresharski, Minister of Finance, Republic of Bulgaria. "We have a window of opportunity right now to transform industry to become more technology intense. This will not happen automatically, but requires dedicated effort, part of which is the current agreement with IBM."

"Today's agreement is a true step forward for Bulgaria and for its partnership with the United States," said Nancy McEldowney, US Ambassador to Bulgaria. "It positions Bulgaria as a leader in innovation, opening up many new possibilities and extending the horizon for both of our countries."

Once the center is created, its Bulgarian government intends to conduct applied research in the following areas:
- Microfluidics and nanofluidics - to gain a better understanding of cells and tissues and other biological specimens to support drug toxicity testing and the development of new medicines.
- Nanosystems for electronics and sensing - using nanoscale sensors and actuators to support the development of point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring (such as atmospheric pollution analysis) and security.
- Nanomaterials - advanced virtual substrates for compound semiconductors which could pave the way for future, nanoscale electronic circuitry.

"Bulgaria's important step into the world of nanoscience creates a global opportunity for the country and the region," said Marcelo Lema, General Manager, IBM Central and Eastern Europe. "IBM has been a leader in nanoscale science for many years and our participation in this project will support the accelerated success of the Bulgarian Nanotechnology Center. We see this type of collaboration as an emerging model for future industry-academic partnerships."

Due to be completed next year, the Bulgarian Nanotechnology Center will occupy nearly 500 square meters of laboratory space and will support researchers and engineers working in close collaboration with Bulgarian universities.