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.

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.

TNO Industrial Technology increases the competitive strength of companies by providing them support in the development of products, materials and production processes. In order to solve our customers' problems and help them fulfil their ambitions, we combine our competences with the customers' own expertise and, if necessary, we involve other TNO institutes and third parties.