waveguides and photonic structures

The collaborating company is looking to recycle silicon wafer by dispersing silicon particulate through a polymer carrier.
They have a supply chain available for the used silicon in flat pieces (0.6mm thick, various sizes), but have not secured a technology/process or supplier who can grind the silicon into fine granules;
- the required particle size is around 30micron,
- the finished dry 'powder' will have to be 99% pure silicon,

Various laser systems for ablation, soldering, welding, marking, adjustment, sintering, stereolithography, LOM.

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.

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.

CCLRC is the largest UK national research facility employing ~2000 scientists, engineers and support staff. The project-related tasks for 4M will be carried out by the Central Microstructure Facility (CMF) at CCLRC-RAL. CMF is a division of the CCLRC engaged in R&D activities in micro and nano systems technology for the past 20 years. It has been involved with large number of nationally funded and EC funded projects. CCLRC -RAL has led many Nationally funded programmes including the £19 million Innovations in Industrial Lithography (ISL) programme funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industries. The CMF is a major national centre for microsystems technology. As a national facility we interact with over 100 universities in the UK. Our European involvement is also very strong. We have led many EU projects.
The Central Microstructure Facility (CMF) provides state-of-the-art microfabrication services and R&D facilities, based on electron-beam lithography and semiconductor equipment, to universities and industry. A central well-found research and prototype manufacturing service is available using advanced technology for microelectronics, masks, interconnects, direct write and for microsystems technology/microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). CMF is a neutral site where academic-industry and industry-industry collaborations offer good technology transfer opportunities.