RAS Nodes

The CEA (Atomic Energy Commission) is a French Governmental Research Organisation (1500 employees) devoted to both fundamental and industrial R&D. The CEA-Grenoble research center is operated by the DRT (Technological Research Direction) in the fields of technologies for information, communication and of technologies for new energies. The two main laboratories (LETI and LITEN) involved in 4M are developing polymers micro systems for various fields of applications (biotechnology, micro fluidics, micro fuel cells, photonics and micro heat exchanger).These two laboratories are one of the largest European R&D operators in the micro & nanotechnologies, nano-materials and electronics. It mainly aims at helping companies to increase their competitiveness through technological innovation and transfer of its technical know-how to industry. CEA/DRT has also an active policy of start-up creation. More than 20 permanent people are working on the following topics relevant to 4M:
•UV LIGA micromolding fabrication process: thick photoresist photolithography, mould fabrication, hot embossing
•Prototyping of polymers microcomponents: direct fabrication with thick photoresist, polymer Deep Etching, casting
•Assembling and packaging of polymer Microsystems.
•Manufacturing technologies of energy microsources.
•Active Surface treatment (Hydrophobic, Hydrophilic,…)
•Characterization of polymer properties (Strain, viscosity, Surface roughness,…)

The National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies is a non-budgetary research unit supervised by the Ministry of Education, Research and Youths. The Institute of Microtechnology set up in 1993, by a decision of the Romanian Government, became in 1996 a National Institute and this status was re-confirmed in 2001after the Evaluation initiated by the Ministry of Education and Research .
The field of activity of IMT-Bucharest comprises: Development of micro and nano fabrication technologies, micro and nanostructures, microsystems and subsystems, including computer-aided design, simulation and testing of microstructures and microsystems and microelectronic components and development of microphysical and functional characterization technologies. The basic activities of IMT-Bucharest are: Research, development and services in the field of Micro and nanotechnologies, new materials; Information and communication technologies (networks, web-sites, Internet, Intranet, Extranet); Technological assistance for SMEs: consulting, design, technology transfer, training on the job; Organizing scientific events (e.g. the International Semiconductor Conference CAS) and training courses; Studies for industrial restructuring and modernization; Strategies of development.

The Institute for Microsystem Technology (IMTEK), founded in 1995, is one of the largest academic institutions in this field. As it was created completely from scratch as part of the new-founded Faculty of Applied Sciences we share a new campus with modern teaching and training facilities together with the Institute of Computer Science. The foundation of a new technical faculty provided the chance not only to use new facilities but also to create a novel engineering course which differs significantly from traditional engineering disciplines. So the basis for the specification of the course has been the questions for the indispensable skills of a ‘universal’ engineer of the 21st century. The curriculum was inaugurated in October 1996 when the first classes started in the course microsystem technology. The first graduations have been in spring 2001. Between 1998 and 2001 about 90 freshmen started studying Microsystem Technology every year. The curriculum has been modified several times since 1996 in order to comply more and more with our initial goals.

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.

our research and advisory potential: http://www.s3.kth.se/mst/research/index.shtml.
For our cleanroom facilities: http://www.electrumlaboratoriet.se/.

The Microsystem Technology lab (MST) is a part of the department of Signals, Sensors and Systems (S3). Our research is mainly centered around Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and its applications, with a focus on silicon-based applied sensor and actuator technology. Our research staff has developed a significant number of devices with promising performance. The group fabricates its silicon structures and devices at the KTH microelectronics laboratory, comprising 1200m2 of cleanroom area with all the facilities of small-scale microelectronics and for research on and development of special purpose structures and components in silicon. The group works on applications in the medical field (MedMEMS), the biotechnology field (BioMEMS), optical components (OptoMEMS) and radio frequency signal components (RFMEMS).