CSEM Scientific and Technical Report 2008

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN 2008
Alex Dommann
CSEM is proud to offer to its industrial clients a rich portfolio of
technologies and a sound know-how of how to apply and
realize innovative products based on Micro- and
Nanotechnologies. To maintain this portfolio in a healthy state,
the Swiss Federal and Cantonal Governments provide the
necessary funding to run an applied research program. In the
frame of the applied research nine multidisciplinary integrated
projects (MIPs) built on several existing CSEM technologies
were launched. MIPs are planned on a tight time-schedule of
typically 2 years from the beginning to the realization of a
demonstrator. Today, industries are looking for complete
solutions. In particular, innovative products exhibit a
technological complexity, which can seldom be handled by a
single technology provider. One of CSEM strengths is to offer
this wide spectrum of technologies “under one roof”. Based on
the market-oriented research strategy of CSEM nine MIPs
were selected.
TissueOptics – Portable Pulse Oximeter for Outdoor
Activities
Continuous and reliable pulse oximetry during motion for
novel body locations which require a reflective measurement
approach remains a scientific and technological challenge.
The promising results help CSEM to strengthen further its
position in the strategic pulse oximetry domain, as well as to
enlarge its patent portfolio. Moreover, CSEM was able to
launch a new application project for a position independent
pulse oximeter. Within the framework of the European Space
Agency Transfer Technology Program the applicability and
market potential for a pulse oximetry for newborn care will be
evaluated.
Riselon – Using IEEE 802.15.4 for Real-time Visual People
Tracking
In this article CSEM presents the realization of a real-time
people tracking system focusing on the implementation of a
suitable communication network, proper sensors preprocessing
and fusion of the data harvested by the sensors.
The concept was validated and a prototype installed covering
the reception area of the CSEM building. This prototype
network is now in operation at the reception area and serves
as a show case.
PackTime – Zero-level Packaging of Silicon Time-base for
RTC and Reference Frequency Applications
A complete system solution allowing the generation of an
accurate clock from an uncompensated silicon resonator that
is encapsulated in a miniature vacuum-sealed all-silicon
package is presented. A 32 kHz clock with ±5 ppm accuracy
over 0-50°C is demonstrated at 3 µA consumption.
Applications for such clocks span miniature RTC systems and
MEMS-based wireless sensor networks, where a single
resonator yields both RTC and reference frequency functions.
BioTool – an Integrated Parallel Atomic Force Microscopy
Platform for the Life Sciences
An instrument that allows the acquisition in parallel of several
atomic force microscopy images or force curves has been
developed. Data acquisition uses one- or two-dimensional
arrays of cantilevers, and can be performed in air or in liquid.
First experimental measurements have demonstrated the
functionality of the platform to operate 2D cantilever arrays in
a liquid environment.
Encoder – Nanometric Resolution Absolute Position
Encoders
A linear, rotary and 2D optical, absolute position encoder
principle combines several competitive features such as 26 bit
resolution per 100 mm over a practically infinite range. As an
example, a linear encoder with VGA size image sensor can
yield a 6 bits resolution, which corresponds to a 1’000’000 km
range with a 1 nm resolution. Such solutions may provide a
few cubic centimeter encoder solutions reaching a 1 MHz
sampling rate.
SUMO – SUrface MOdified Vision Systems
In this project CSEM investigated the most promising
combinations using replication and plasmonic techniques to
achieve stable color, polarization, and magnification effects on
top of image sensors. Other aspects include the integration of
OLED light sources at the surface of an image sensor, the use
of thin and thick Germanium layers for effective NIR (near-IR)
and X-ray direct detectors, and finally the integration of a
DSP-core as close as possible to the active imaging part to
locally process huge amounts of raw image data.
Tugon – Micro-spectrometer Demonstrator for Visible,
Near- and Mid-infrared Spectroscopy
MEMS based microspectrometers have a huge potential due
to their flexibility, low cost, low mass, small volume and power
savings. A compact MEMS-based spectrometer that can
operate in the visible, near-infrared and mid-infrared
wavelength ranges, was conceived, designed and tested. In
preliminary tests the spectrometer performed measurements
at 1500 nm. The system can acquire data at a rate of about
1 kHz, providing a 1024 point spectrum in about 1 sec.
SixSense – Six Dimensional Micro Sensor for Object
Oriented Robotics
Within the project a concept for generating six dimensional
metrology feedbacks to control tactile movements was
developed. The sensor works in a real absolute measuring
mode and needs no reference cycle.
Cost Efficient Energy Harvesting with Solar Islands
Giant floating islands will be fitted with solar thermal panels
which will convert solar energy into electricity and/or hydrogen.
The aim of the project is to validate the concept and prepare
the construction of large islands. A prototype was built in the
desert of the United Arab Emirates.
In 2008 CSEM filed 31 new patent applications, 40 invention
reports were submitted for examination and an extension of
20 patents on prior patent applications in different countries
were filed in.
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