Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Phoenix Lands on Mars on Monday, May 26, 1am MET: Swiss Atomic Force Microscope Helps Explore Mars Environment

Home > Press > Phoenix Lands on Mars on Monday, May 26, 1am MET: Swiss Atomic Force Microscope Helps Explore Mars Environment

Abstract:
One of the instruments on board the Phoenix Mars Mission is a Swiss atomic force microscope designed to investigate Martian soil samples for possible traces of ice. This Nano-microscope is the fruit of scientific collaboration of the Institute of Microtechnology at the University of Neuchātel, the Institute of Physics at the University of Basel, and Nanosurf AG in Liestal. The goal of the Phoenix Mission is to answer important questions such as whether water exists in forms that support life. All onboard instruments are checked for functionality during the first few days after a successful landing, following which the first measurement data will be transmitted to earth.

Phoenix Lands on Mars on Monday, May 26, 1am MET: Swiss Atomic Force Microscope Helps Explore Mars Environment

Switzerland | Posted on May 29th, 2008

For Lukas Howald, physicist and co-founder of Nanosurf, the choice of Nanosurf as project partner for the Mars expedition confirms the world-class abilities of Swiss nano-specialists: „Nobody else was able to contribute a similarly small, lightweight, and low-power system for this mission."
Nanosurf AG, maker and technological world market leader for user-friendly and automated nano-microscopes for surface visualization, counts about 30 employees in Liestal.

Further Links:
Official Homepage of NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission
www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/main/index.html
Press release of the University of Neuchātel:
www2.unine.ch/Jahia/site/presse/cache/offonce/pid/23869;jsessionid=0808E9B12CE08ED83ACCF21D904A7DF7

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About NANOSURF AG
With excellent know-how in the new and fast growing field of nanoscience, our main focus is on the research and development of scanning probe microscopes (SPM) and positioning devices with nanometre resolution.

Universities and polytechnics remain important partners for Nanosurf AG. Our continuing role as commercial partner in research projects means we are at the cutting edge of technology.

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Nanosurf AG
Grammetstr. 14
4410 Liestal
Switzerland
Tel. 061 927 56 46
Fax 061 927 56 47
Mr. Ola Modinger

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