RAS Nodes

The activity at Cranfield University will involve the integration of activities in two areas: Nanotechnology and Precision Engineering. The Nanotechnology Group at Cranfield University, specialises in fusing micro-engineering and nanotechnology with the industrial application and development of functional materials (especially ferroelectric) to produce novel devices.

IVF Working in the interface between academic research and industrial applications, IVF develops products and processes by initiating and carrying out research and implementing its results. IVF today actively work with development and integration of Microsystems in industrial products. We adopt an industrial generic approach and production development process includes hardware, software and mechanics. In co-operation with Chalmers University of Techynology, we develop technology to integrate electronics and micro systems into industrial products with the main focus on developing highly reliable microsystems. Our philosophy is to secure reliability in an early stage of the product development process, based on profound knowledge about the design, materials, production process and physical wear and abuse that degrade the electronics hardware. We base reliability prediction and verification on tests and simulations. Efficient integration of electronics and microsystems into products reduces the number of parts with less contacts, less materials, more efficient production and less environmental impact. Our strategy is to develop generic technology platforms with verified reliability and produceability. Direct production of micro mechanical components is an important area for IVF. Due to the small size is direct production very suitable for direct production of micro mechanical parts. IVF have developed a new method for direct production of ceramic components.

K.U.Leuven is one of the three divisions of the department of Mechanical Engineering. PMA is active in the following areas: manufacturing processes, machine and instrument design, structural dynamics, acoustics, CAD/CAM/CIM, robotics, assembly automation, mechatronics, micro- and precision engineering, and metrology. The PMA division work includes original fundamental work as well as successful industry-oriented projects carried out in collaboration with small, medium and large companies and with international organisations like the European Space Agency. An important role of the research activities of the PMA division is based on international collaboration as shown by the participation of the division in more than 40 EC funded projects. The PMA division has also been nominated as Centre of Excellence by the Belgian Government.