In California, Agilent Technologies Inc. of Palo Alto and Asylum Research of Santa Barbara have allied to develop technologies and applications in the area of nanotechnology measurements. Agilent is focused on creating tools for the growing market, while Asylum Research develops atomic force microscopes. The collaboration will enable Agilent to develop new features for the microscopes. It also is making an equity investment in the Santa Barbara company. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.