Nano-Tera.ch SWISS SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVE FOR ENGINEERING COMPLEX SYSTEMS IN HEALTH, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT
Foreword
Prof. Giovanni De Micheli Program Leader, Executive Committee Chair
The Swiss Federal government is backing this initiative with funds of CHF 60 million from 2008 to 2011. The research is also backed by an equal amount of matching contributions from participating and thirdparty institutions, including CHF 1.8 million which OPET (Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology) has made available to universities of applied sciences. With this funding, ten RTD (Research, Technology and Development) and two NTF (Nano-Tera Focused) projects have started. Additional projects are scheduled to start in early 2010. The RTD projects aim to leverage collaborative, interdisciplinary research in order to tackle complex problems. Each project is carried out by a team of scientists belonging to different Swiss institutions, thus forming the best possible research groups in the country. The current projects focus on enabling nanosystem technologies, as well as applications of systems engineering. The first group of RTD projects are centered on sensing technologies and on the development of technologies that underly HSE systems, such as 3-dimensional integration. The second group aims at systems applications, such as the integration of electronics into textiles, the study of smart implants and the realization of lightweight X-ray imaging. The focused projects are studies of specific technologies, such as ultra-low power electronic and microfluidic circuitry for diagnosis. At the same time, Nano-Tera.ch has launched ED (Education and Dissemination) activities in both micro- and nanotechnology and tera-level complexity. These activities take the form of short courses given by experts. Altogether, a total of 67 investigators are involved in the current projects. The route to success of the Nano-Tera.ch program is guided by the relevance of the topics, the convergence of technologies and the quality of the researchers. We expect the scientific impact to be strong in Switzerland and abroad.
SWISS SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVE FOR ENGINEERING COMPLEX SYSTEMS IN HEALTH, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT
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NTF RTD
The Nano-Tera.ch program supports research in the engineering of complex (tera-level) systems for HSE (Health, Security and the Environment) using micro- and nanotechnologies. We believe the convergence of technologies in these areas represents fertile ground for innovation, and that it will be instrumental in the development of new markets and the improvement of living standards.
Research, Design and Engineering of complex systems for Health, Security and Environment The Nano-Tera program aims at bringing Switzerland to the forefront of a new technological revolution driving engineering and information technology for health and security of humans and the environment in the 21st century. The underlying enabling technology is provided by micro/nanotechnologies and their applications to distributed, networked embedded-system design. The keyword is integration of various nano-scale technologies in tera-scale (complex) systems. Nano-Tera’s challenge is to steer the convergence of people and teams from very different technological and cultural domains. While the existence of such synergy opportunities between nano-devices and tera-scale applications are widely recognized, an ambitious large-scale holistic integration approach such as the one proposed by the Nano-Tera.ch program is still unheard of.
Tera Communication Challenges Energy Scavenging
Security Circuit Design
System Level ‘Tera’
Distributed Intelligent Agents
Devices
Environmental Monitoring
Remote Networking
Physical Level ‘Nano’
Components sh y Pu olog n h c Te
Personalized Health Care
ull ket P Mar
Materials Structure
Nano Manufacturing Challenges
Application systems
Enabling technologies
Wearable Embedded Systems Miniaturized electronics and sensors on flexible bases to integrate them into “smart textiles” or within the body: medical monitoring and health assistance, sports, personal communication and entertainment.
Micro / Nano Electronics Micro-electronics’ leap forward with new concepts to reach the nano scale: nanowires, nanotubes, polymers, ultra-low consumption, ultra-thin layers.
Ambient Systems Large-scale distribution of auto-configurable networks of miniature sensor nodes: environmental monitoring, building intelligence and beyond. Remote Systems Ambient and micro systems communicating on large distances, taking lightweight intelligence from cities and environment into longer distance remote challenges.
Sensors Ultra-low powered cantilever or nanotubes arrays, single photon optics, cell- and microfluidics-based chips, bio-compatible coatings. MEMS / NEMS Interface electro-mechanical devices between human and the environment: integrate them into the environment, harvest their own energy, use novel materials. Systems & Software New strategies for wireless networks and systems: self-organization, dependability, resource awareness, real-time operation. Information & Communication On the application level, ultra-large amounts of data: distributed design, signal processing, signal processing, data management, web connectivity.
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CabTuRes
Enabling autonomous sensor nodes: low-power nano-sensor/electronics building blocks based on tunable carbon nanotube electro-mechanical resonators
Prof. Christofer Hierold, ETHZ
▶ p. 4
CMOSAIC
3D stacked architectures with interlayer cooling
Prof. John Thome, EPFL
▶ p. 6
IrSens
Integrated sensing platform for gases and liquids in the near and mid-infrared range
Prof. Jérôme Faist, ETHZ
▶ p. 8
LiveSense
Cell-based sensing microsystem
Prof. Philippe Renaud, EPFL
▶ p. 10
MIXSEL
Vertical integration of ultrafast semiconductor lasers for wafer-scale mass production
Prof. Ursula Keller, ETHZ
▶ p. 12
NanowireSensor
Integrateable silicon nanowire sensor platform
Prof. Christian Schönenberger, UniBas
▶ p. 14
Nexray
Network of integrated miniaturized X-ray systems operating in complex environments
Dr. Alex Dommann, CSEM
▶ p. 16
SelfSys
Fluidic-mediated self-assembly for hybrid functional micro/nanosystems
Prof. Jürgen Brugger, EPFL
▶ p. 18
SImOS
Smart implants for orthopaedics surgery
Prof. Peter Ryser, EPFL
▶ p. 20
TecInTex
Technology integration into textiles: empowering health
Prof. Gerhard Tröster, ETHZ
▶ p. 22
Nano-Tera Focused projects (NTF) PMD-Program
A programmable, universally applicable, microfluidic device platform
Prof. Sebastian Maerkl, EPFL
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ULP-Logic
Sub-threshold source-coupled logic (ST-SCL) circuits for ultra-low power applications
Prof. Yusuf Leblebici, EPFL
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Education & Dissemination projects (ED) COMES
Complexity management in embedded systems
Prof. Mariagiovanna Sami, USI
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EducationalKit
Education kit for wearable computing
Dr. Daniel Roggen, ETHZ
▶ p. 27
TED-Activities
Training, education and dissemination activities
M.Sc. Philippe Fischer, FSRM
▶ p. 28
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Research, Technology, Development projects (RTD)
NTF RTD
The Projects
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Principal Investigator Prof. Christofer Hierold, ETHZ Prof. Wanda Andreoni, EPFL Prof. Nicolaas de Rooij, EPFL Prof. Lรกszlรณ Forrรณ, EPFL Dr. Oliver Grรถning, EMPA Prof. Adrian Ionescu, EPFL Prof. Maher Kayal, EPFL Prof. Bradley Nelson, ETHZ Prof. Dimos Poulikakos, ETHZ
CabTuRes
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Enabling autonomous sensor nodes: lowpower nano-sensor/electronics building blocks based on tunable carbon nanotube electro-mechanical resonators
CabTuRes
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NTF RTD
Sensors are becoming ubiquitous in our lives and possible applications are countless. Micro and nanotechnologies are the natural choice for enabling complex sensor nodes, as they are small (thus unobtrusive), cheap and low power. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a perfect example of how nanosystems offer features unachievable with microsystems: their outstanding structural, mechanical and electronic properties have immediately resulted in numerous device demonstrators from transistors, to physical and chemical sensors, and actuators. A key idea of the project is to combine elements from the fundamental knowledge base on the physics of carbon nanotubes, gathered in the past several years, and the fundamental engineering sciences in the area of micro/nano-electromechanical systems, to develop novel devices and processes based on CNTs. Specifically, it seeks to demonstrate concepts and devices for ultra-low power, highly miniaturized functional blocks for sensing and electronics. Due to their small mass and high stiffness, doubly clamped CNTs can exhibit huge resonant frequencies. These are carbon nanotube resonators which, as recently demonstrated or predicted theoretically, can reach the multi-GHz range, can be tuned via straining over a wide range of frequency, offer an unprecedented sensitivity to strain or mass loading, exhibit high quality factors, and all these with a very low power consumption. Two specific applications are being targeted. First of all, because of their high quality factors and high frequencies of operation, carbon nanotube resonators offer a wide range of electronics applications, where they can be used as tunable voltage controlled oscillators, clocks or nano electro-mechanical filters and detectors. Another application is mass balances for sensing: since mass loading creates a shift in resonant frequency, with huge sensitivity to tiny mass variations, the resonators can be used to measure gas molecule densities or weigh nano bodies such as proteins and viruses. And as the resonant frequency is also affected by strain in the CNT, strains and forces could be measured in a rather straightforward manner. The outcome may have implications in several domains: it will support health in diagnosis or preemptive detection of air borne pathogens and advance the basic science of proteomics, genetics and virology. Besides, autonomous, ultra-small and ultra low power sensors could find their way in many wearable, ambient or remote systems.
project may push electronic systems and nano sensors to new levels of presence “ The in our daily lives, for the benefit of elderly people, for disabled persons, and for everybody’s security by environmental monitoring. ” Prof. Christofer Hierold, ETHZ
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Principal Investigator Prof. John Thome, EPFL Prof. David Atienza, EPFL Prof. Yusuf Leblebici, EPFL Dr. Bruno Michel, IBM ZRL Prof. Dimos Poulikakos, ETHZ Prof. Wendelin Stark, ETHZ
CMOSAIC
3D stacked architectures with interlayer cooling
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The CMOSAIC project is a genuine opportunity to contribute to the realization of arguably the most complicated system that mankind has ever assembled: a 3D stack of computer chips with a functionality per unit volume that nearly parallels the functional density of a human brain. The aggressive goal is to provide the necessarily 3D integrated cooling system that is the key to compressing almost 1012 nanometer sized functional units into a 1 cm3 volume with a 10 to 100 fold higher connectivity than otherwise possible. Even the most advanced aircooling methods are inadequate for such high performance systems where the main challenge is to remove the heat produced by multiple stacked dies with each layer dissipating 100-150 W/cm2. Therefore, state-of-the-art microscale single-phase liquid and two-phase cooling systems are being developed, using specifically designed microchannel arrangements with channel sizes as small as 50 microns. The employed coolants range from liquid water and two-phase environmentally friendly refrigerants to novel nano-coated, nonwetting surfaces. To this aim, CMOSAIC has brought together a multi-disciplinary team of internationally recognized experts who are jointly conducting research to explore the underlying physics of the proposed cooling mechanisms through experiments and theoretical modelling. The team will also develop all the necessary modelling and design tools needed to simulate 3D integrated circuits stacks during their operation in order to mitigate hot spots, and test various prototype stacks with the goal of identifying and bringing into reality novel methods for heat removal in these high performance systems.
important contribution to the development of the first 3D computer “ An chip with a functionality per unit volume that nearly parallels the functional density of a human brain is the integration of highly effective microscale cooling channels directly within the chip itself. Prof. John Thome, EPFL
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Indicators show that the speed of transistor density and microprocessor performance improvements that drove the IT industry for the last 50 years are now limited by connectability issues between multiple cores and air-cooling rates. With its CMOS scaling engine slowing, the industry is striving to find new packaging alternatives to maintain the overall pace according to Moore’s law. While 2D scaling has been used in high performance processors for several decades, the third dimension has not yet been tackled. Recent progress in the fabrication of through silicon vias has opened new avenues for high density area array interconnects between stacked processor and memory chips. Such three-dimensional integrated circuits are attractive solutions for overcoming the present barriers encountered in interconnect scaling, thus offering an opportunity to continue the CMOS performance trends over the next few decades.
NTF RTD
CMOSAIC
Principal Investigator Prof. Jérôme Faist, ETHZ Prof. Edoardo Charbon, EPFL Dr. Lukas Emmenegger, EMPA Prof. Hans Peter Herzig, EPFL Dr. Daniel Hofstetter, UniNE Dr. Alexandra Homsy, EPFL Prof. Eli Kapon, EPFL Prof. Herbert Looser, FHNW Prof. Markus Sigrist, ETHZ
IrSens
Integrated sensing platform for gases and liquids in the near and mid-infrared range
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The idea is to create a photonic sensor platform with high performance and reliability which will leverage on the new source, detector and interaction cell technologies to create a new sensor element with vastly improved performance and lowered cost. These improvements will be demonstrated further by the incorporation into two pilot applications, the first one aiming at the demonstration of sensing in the gas phase, the second one in the liquid phase. The compact sensing platform for gases under development is based on multipath absorption cells with various compact semiconductor light source and detector types. Infrared absorption spectroscopy can be used to detect a wide variety of gases. To demonstrate its suitability for breath analysis, the first part of this project is focused on the detection of helicobacter pylori – a bacteria responsible for gastric ulcers – by means of isotopic ratio measurements in exhaled CO2. The integrated sensing platform for liquids is based on waveguiding and surface measurement technologies and the same sources and detectors as for the gas sensing. The idea is to couple the sources to a silicon-based optical module where the liquid analyte will flow through a built-in microfluidic channel. This is intended to be used mainly in bio-medical applications with an emphasis on drugs and doping agents detection in human fluids: specifically, a first targeted demonstrative application for this sensor would be the cocaine detection in human saliva.
the general principles of chemical sensing deploying optical methods are “ Although well-known, recent developments, particularly in the field of infrared photonics, will lead to a real breakthrough in this technology. ” Prof. Jérôme Faist, ETHZ
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There is an increasing demand for sensitive, selective, fast and portable detectors for trace components in gases and liquids, e.g. due to increasing concerns about atmospheric pollutants, and a need for improved medical screening capabilities for early detection of diseases and drug abuse. In that context, the project IrSens aims at building a versatile platform based on optical spectroscopy in the near and midinfrared range. Indeed, techniques based on optical absorption offer the possibility to realize a non-invasive and highly sensitive detection platform. It allows to probe the vibrational frequencies of the targeted molecules – most of which are located in the near and mid-infrared range, and to obtain an unambiguous signature of the investigated gas or liquid.
NTF RTD
IrSens
Principal Investigator Prof. Philippe Renaud, EPFL Prof. Nicolaas de Rooij, EPFL Prof. Martial Geiser, HESSO-VS Prof. Hubert Girault, EPFL Dr. Martha Liley, CSEM Dr. Michael Riediker, IST Prof. Jan van der Meer, UNIL Prof. Viola Vogel, ETHZ
LiveSense
Cell-based sensing microsystem
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LiveSense
ED
NTF RTD
A big challenge in environmental monitoring is to dispose of a base of autonomous remote nodes that are capable of locally collecting samples and sending biologically and chemically relevant information through a communication network. Analytical chemical methods commonly used are mostly based on sophisticated instrumentation which does not scale to miniature systems for deployment as field sensors. The use of biological entities such as cell lines or micro-organisms as the basis for assay methodologies has been well developed, and research has demonstrated their applicability for monitoring the environment for bioactive or toxic compounds. The response of cellbased sensors is related to a metabolic pathway and thus relevant to effects expected for human beings. In many cases, the response of cells and cell-based sensors is extremely sensitive. While the concept of cell-based biosensors has been researched for several years, their implementation is restricted to a few commercial applications that are not deployable as autonomous sensors. This project addresses the need to improve the environmental monitoring of the many chemical and biological compounds that are affecting our biosphere and eventually human health. The idea is to use living cells as biosensors and to monitor them in a microfluidic bioreactor equipped with microsensors. Living cells are the most natural biosensors, since they integrate the biological effects of the compound mixtures and respond by metabolic or phenotypic changes that are relevant to potential effects in the human body. The projects aims at the realization of a complete autonomous microsystem that would include a cell culture microbioreactor, secondary sensors to measure cell response and monitor the microbioreactor process, a signal processing control unit and a wireless communication unit to link the microsystem to a sensor network. The research is based on known cell models selected in two cell types: bacteria – used because there is already a wide experience on bacterial bioreporters and they are rather easy to culture – and eukaryotic cells – because their metabolic response to toxicants is more similar to reaction pathways in the human body. The microbioreactor will be integrated into a functional demonstrator for the deployment of a cell-based sensor network monitoring water quality in a Swiss river.
“ We are building the bio cell phone. ”
Prof. Philippe Renaud, EPFL
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Principal Investigator Prof. Ursula Keller, ETHZ
Prof. Eli Kapon, EPFL Prof. Pierre Thomann, UniNE Prof. Bernd Witzigmann, Uni Kassel
MIXSEL
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Vertical integration of ultrafast semiconductor lasers for wafer-scale mass production
Semiconductor lasers are ideally suited for mass production and widespread applications, because they are based on a wafer-scale technology with a high level of integration. Not surprisingly, the first lasers entering virtually every household were semiconductor lasers in compact disk players. A new ultrafast semiconductor laser concept has been introduced by Prof. Keller, which is power scalable, suitable for pulse repetition rate scaling in the 10 to 100 GHz regime, supports both optical and electrical pumping and allows for wafer-scale fabrication. This class of devices is referred to as the modelocked integrated external-cavity surface emitting laser (MIXSEL). The next step towards even lower-cost and more compact ultrafast lasers will be electrical pumping with both pico- and femtosecond pulses. This would result in devices ideally suited for many applications such as telecommunications, optical clocking, frequency metrology, high resolution nonlinear multiphoton microscopy, optical coherence tomography, laser display – anywhere where the current ultrafast laser technology is considered to be too bulky or expensive. The project aims to demonstrate optically and electrically pumped MIXSELs in both the pico- and femtosecond regime. Picosecond MIXSELs are ideally suited for clocking applications whereas femtosecond MIXSELs are required for continuum generation and many biomedical applications. For both cases, average powers above 100 mW with electrical pumping and above 500 mW with optical pumping should be reached, which represent significant advances of ultrafast MIXSELs.
research on the development of novel ultrafast semiconductor “ Our lasers will support and strengthen a field that is significant in value creation. ” Prof. Ursula Keller, ETHZ
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Short pulse laser sources have enabled many applications in science and technology. Numerous laboratory experiments have confirmed that they can significantly increase telecommunication data rates, improve computer interconnects, and optically clock in the future multicore microprocessors. New applications in metrology, supercontinuum generation and life sciences with two-photon microscopy and optical coherence tomography only work with ultrashort pulses, but have relied on bulky and complex ultrafast solid-state lasers. However, users in health care and life sciences generally would rather get the short pulses without any further overhead and with a simple turn-on-off switch. It is therefore essential for them to have access to compact, easy-to-use and inexpensive ultrafast lasers. Recent developments in novel semiconductor lasers have the potential to reduce the complexity of ultrafast lasers.
NTF RTD
MIXSEL
Principal Investigator Prof. Christian Schönenberger, UniBas Dr. Michel Calame, UniBas Prof. Beat Ernst, UniBas Prof. Jens Gobrecht, PSI Prof. Andreas Hierlemann, ETHZ Prof. Adrian Ionescu, EPFL Prof. Uwe Pieles, FHNW Prof. Janos Vörös, ETHZ
NanowireSensor Integrateable silicon nanowire sensor platform
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In this context, an ideal solution is an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor sensor platform based on silicon nanowires to be integrated in a CMOS architecture. Indeed, in addition to the expected high sensitivity and superior signal quality, such nanowire sensors could be mass manufactured at reasonable costs, and readily integrated into electronic diagnostic devices to facilitate bed-site diagnostics and personalized medicine. Moreover, their small size makes them ideal candidates for future implanted sensing devices. While promising biosensing experiments based on silicon nanowire field-effect transistors have been reported, real-life applications still require improved control, together with a detailed understanding of the basic sensing mechanisms. For instance, it is crucial to optimize the geometry of the wire, a still rather unexplored aspect up to now, as well as its surface functionalization or its selectivity to the targeted analytes. This project seeks to develop a modular, scalable and integrateable sensor platform for the electronic detection of analytes in solution. The idea is to integrate silicon nanowire field-effect transistors as a sensor array and combine them with state-of-the-art microfabricated interface electronics as well as with microfluidic channels for liquid handling. Such sensors have the potential to be mass manufactured at reasonable costs, allowing their integration as the active sensor part in electronic point-of-care diagnostic devices to facilitate, for instance, bed-side diagnostics and personalized medicine. Another important field is systems biology, where many substances need to be quantitatively detected in parallel at very low concentrations: in these situations, the platform being developed fulfills the requirements ideally and will have a strong impact and provide new insights, e.g. into the metabolic processes of cells, organisms or organs.
a long-term vision, we can expect the development of “ Inembedded systems allowing the constant monitoring of health parameters for chronicle diseases like diabetes. �
Prof. Christian SchĂśnenberger, UniBas
SWISS SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVE FOR ENGINEERING COMPLEX SYSTEMS IN HEALTH, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT
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There is nowadays a growing need for sensing devices offering rapid and portable analytical functionality in real-time as well as massively parallel capabilities with very high sensitivity at the molecular level. Such devices are essential to facilitate research and foster advances in fields such as drug discovery, proteomics, medical diagnostics, systems biology or environmental monitoring.
NTF RTD
NanowireSensor
Principal Investigator Dr. Alex Dommann, CSEM Dr. Pierangelo Gröning, EMPA Prof. Hans von Känel, ETHZ
Nexray
Network of integrated miniaturized X-ray systems operating in complex environments
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The miniaturized X-ray sources are based on multi-wall carbon nanotube (CNT) cold electron emitters and advanced microsystems technology. The electron field emission properties of CNTs, with their high current densities, make them prime candidates for cold emitter cathodes. Using CNT cold electron emitters will make it possible to miniaturize the whole X-ray source. Additionally, as opposed to classical thermionic emission, field electron emission of the CNT is voltage-controlled which allows for high modulation frequencies up to GHz level. The X-ray direct detectors in turn are based on crystalline germanium absorption layers grown directly on a CMOS sensor chip yielding high resolution and high sensitivity X-ray detectors. Single photon detection will allow for a significant improvement of contrast for applications in security, health care and nondestructive testing. A first landmark application is for example the extraction of depth information from an X-ray image without the need to do tomography. With X-ray time-of-flight measurements based on Compton backscattering, the depth inside objects where scattering occurs can be precisely measured. This calls for an intensity-modulated X-ray signal in the MHz range which can be achieved with CNT based cold emitters. An obvious application would be the detection of buried landmines: the Compton backscattering signal can indeed indicate the landmine position with much better accuracy than metal detectors. Another key application is in the area of tomographic imaging, making use of the fact that both the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are pixelated. Since the X-ray source is built as a matrix of micro X-ray sources that can also be addressed and controlled individually, the combination of pixelated X-ray sources and detectors brings up completely new imaging capabilities, in particular the possibility to do static tomographic imaging and therefore reduce costs or increase throughput.
The results will lead to radically new approaches in the use and “ exploitation of X-rays, and completely novel X-ray systems which are not possible today. � Dr. Alex Dommann, CSEM
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This project targets the development of novel pocket X-ray sources and X-ray direct detectors that will be combined in a distributed network to solve important tasks, for example in the field of security, by ensuring reliable and real-time monitoring of failure sensitive parts in large manufacturing plants or in public transportation.
NTF RTD
Nexray
Principal Investigator Prof. Jürgen Brugger, EPFL
Dr. Helmut Knapp, CSEM Prof. Alcherio Martinoli, EPFL Prof. Bradley Nelson, ETHZ M.Sc. Laurent Sciboz, Icare Prof. Nicholas Spencer, ETHZ Dr. Heiko Wolf, IBM ZRL
SelfSys
Fluidic-mediated self-assembly for hybrid functional micro/nanosystems Stock.XCHNG
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The ultimate goal is to self-assemble free-floating N/MEMS building blocks in a liquid, and then deploy the assembled parts onto surfaces, the environment or the human body, where they fulfill an application-specific functionality. This fluidic-based self-assembly forms the basis for future intelligent systems manufacturing beyond robotic assembly, flip-chip, etc. The expected outcomes are cost-efficient, yet flexible and form an exemplary combination of high numbers (tera) of ultra-small components (nano/micro) to be assembled into complex systems. The project involves an intimate interaction between advanced micro/nanoengineering, surface functionalization, microfluidics, sensor/ actuator and micro/nanorobotic concepts, as well as modeling and computer-aided design. The first phase of the research focuses on the setting-up of the free-floating and guided fluidic assembly technology. The work will then be devoted to the implementation of the enabling technology for two applications that have been identified, one targeting the assembly of RFID micro-tags with other M/NEMS in a massive parallel way, the other aiming at the assembly of liquid-containing micro-capsules that can be triggered for liquid release. In general, such integrated systems can enable non-invasive smart drug delivery devices, self-assembling implants, surgical microrobots, smart clothing, ultra-small wireless sensor nodes for environmental monitoring and proactive maintenance of complex civil and mechanical structures.
strive to find a remedy for the upcoming assembly challenge for ultra“ We miniature functional systems, and to contribute to novel manufacturing schemes for high added value products that represent one of Switzerland’s key economic factors. Prof. Jürgen Brugger, EPFL
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SWISS SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVE FOR ENGINEERING COMPLEX SYSTEMS IN HEALTH, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT
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Packaging and assembly of micro/nanosystems (M/NEMS) is a key factor in their commercial success, but is often neglected in academic and pre-competitive industrial research and development. A lack of innovative solutions for the manufacturing of next-generation smart systems with hybrid, multi-functional devices would hamper the advances that are needed in health care, information technology and environmental engineering. For instance, a typical situation today is that the individual components of the hybrid system can be readily fabricated separately by well-known state-of-the-art methods, but they are either too small or too numerous to be assembled using conventional assembly techniques. The solution studied in this project is based on interaction forces in liquids and goes well beyond what is known today as fluidic self-assembly on surfaces using wetting properties to fine-position MEMS parts.
NTF RTD
SelfSys
Principal Investigator Prof. Peter Ryser, EPFL
Prof. Kamiar Aminian, EPFL Dr. Catherine Dehollain, EPFL Prof. Pierre-André Farine, EPFL Prof. Brigitte Jolles-Maeberli, CHUV M.Sc. Vincent Leclercq, Symbios Prof. Philippe Renaud, EPFL
SImOS
Smart implants for orthopaedics surgery
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This project seeks to design innovative tools to measure in vivo biomechanical parameters of joint prostheses, orthopaedic implants, bones and ligaments. These tools, partly implanted, partly external, will record and analyze relevant information in order to improve medical treatments. An implant module includes sensors in order to measure the forces, temperature sensors to measure the interface frictions, magneto-resistance sensors to measure the 3D orientation of the knee joint as well as accelerometers to measure stem micro-motion and impacts. An external module, fixed on the patient’s body segments, includes electronic components to power and to communicate with the implant, as well as a set of sensors for measurements that can be realized externally. This equipment is designed to help the surgeon with the alignment or positioning phase during surgery. After surgery, by providing excessive wear and micro-motion information about the prosthesis, it will allow to detect any early migration and potentially avoid later failure. During rehabilitation, it will provide useful outcomes to evaluate in vivo joint function. The tools provided can also be implanted during any joint surgery in order to give the physician the information needed to diagnose future disease such as ligament insufficiency, osteoarthritis or prevent further accident. The proposed nanosystems are set to improve the efficiency of healthcare, which is both a benefit to the patient and to society. Although the scientific and technical developments proposed in this project can be applied to all orthopaedic implants, the technological platform which is being built as a demonstrator is limited to the case of knee prosthesis. In addition, by reaching the minimum size achievable thanks to clever packaging techniques and also by reducing, or even removing, the cumbersome battery, it paves the way for a new generation of autonomous implantable medical devices.
This much more effective monitoring of the patient’s function will “contribute to valuable improvements of their quality of life and of future treatments. ” Prof. Peter Ryser, EPFL
SWISS SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVE FOR ENGINEERING COMPLEX SYSTEMS IN HEALTH, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT
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Over one million hip and knee prostheses are implanted each year in the EU and the US. The expected lifetime for these prostheses is between 10 and 20 years, but premature failure is quite common (about 20% for people less than 50 years old). Prosthesis failures require revision surgeries that are generally complex and traumatic. None of these prostheses contain microchips and few are analyzed based on motion analysis devices.
NTF RTD
SImOS
Principal Investigator Prof. Gerhard Tröster, ETHZ
Dr. Michael Baumberger, SPZ Dr. Kunigunde Cherenack, ETHZ Dr. Manfred Heuberger, EMPA M.Sc. Jean Luprano, CSEM Dr. Stéphanie Pasche, CSEM Dr. René Rossi, EMPA Prof. Martin Wolf, USZ
TecInTex
Technology integration into textiles: empowering health Stock.XCHNG
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TecInTex addresses these issues by developing the necessary basic fiber and textile technology, at the nanometer and micrometer scale, that will provide the highly needed full integration of novel functionalities into truly wearable clothes without compromise on textile properties. The key elements include electronic and optical fibers, sensor yarns, transducers between electrical and optical signals, sensor stripes and functionalized fabrics. The expected results cover a family of new sensorized and functional fibers, which will allow in situ measurements of body functions and biological species in body proximity, approved fabrication processes and working prototypes dedicated to health care, rehabilitation and prevention. One tremendous and growing market for these textiles is health care. Two demonstrators for wearable biosensing will be developed under the leadership of the Swiss Paraplegic Center and the University Hospital of Zurich. The TecInTex mission will be concentrate specifically on two demonstrators in the health care domain. The active NIRS sock is a wearable near infrared spectroscopy device which allows to monitor tissue oxygenation in the muscle continuously and non-invasively for the early detection of peripheral vascular disease. Another application is the intelligent underwear for paraplegic people, which allows the detection of pressure ulcers, an open skin lesion affecting bed-ridden patients.
mission is to provide the crucial core modules to design and to “ Our manufacture truly wearable functional clothes. ” Prof. Gerhard Tröster, ETHZ
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Future personal mobile systems consist of a communication and computing hub – e.g. a Smart Phone – which ensures the continuous and online connectivity. The personalization of this communication node requires the connection to sensing capabilities close to the human body, which detect the user’s context, be it the activity, motion, health or the mental and social behavior. In that spirit, an increasing variety of wearable functionality is being developed and demonstrated worldwide. However, in the textile sector, the actual breakthrough of these novel technologies is absent due to a general lack of compatibility of conventional electric, electronic and sensory devices with textile processing procedures and textile wearability. Indeed, existing e-textiles usually integrate state-of-the-art electronic devices into clothing, inducing many limitations like restricted flexibility, washability and comfort.
NTF RTD
TecInTex
PMD-Program The development of microfluidic technology has revolutionized biological research thanks to the fluid handling capabilities, integration and economies of scale it offers. Currently, microfluidic devices are highly specialized components that require expert knowledge for their design and fabrication. The application specificity of designs significantly increases the cost of microfluidic technology and reduces its applicability.
Principal Investigator Prof. Sebastian Maerkl, EPFL
This project aims to develop a new class of generally applicable microfluidic devices that can be reconfigured for different applications by means of software. These softwarereconfigurable devices would not require application-specific designs leading to a subsequent reduction in cost. Conversely, the necessary programs and methods required for each application could be easily distributed along with the devices or even developed by the end-user. The proposed devices build on the development of multilayer soft-lithography and microfluidic large-scale integration that enable the fabrication of devices featuring a highdensity of active components at very low cost.
This next evolutionary step of microfluidic “ complexity will broaden the impact of microfluidics in a number of fields. � Prof. Sebastian Maerkl, EPFL
PMD-Program
A programmable, universally applicable, microfluidic device platform
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Principal Investigator Prof. Yusuf Leblebici, EPFL
To overcome these issues, a new circuit family is proposed, based on the source-coupled differential topology. Using sub-threshold source-coupled logic (ST-SCL) circuits, it is possible to reduce the stand-by current of each logic cell down to a few pico-amperes – equivalent to about one single electron charge every 20 nanoseconds – resulting in extremely low power dissipation levels that cannot be reached using conventional circuit topologies. Experimental ST-SCL circuits have been shown to operate with an equivalent energy of 600 eV per operation. The ultimate objective of this work has been to develop a library of digital and mixed-signal functional cells that can be used in various ultra-low power applications.
“ We are inventing computing with leakage currents. ”
Prof. Yusuf Leblebici, EPFL
ULP-Logic
Sub-threshold source-coupled logic (ST-SCL) circuits for ultra-low power applications
SWISS SCIENTIFIC INITIATIVE FOR ENGINEERING COMPLEX SYSTEMS IN HEALTH, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT
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ED
The demand for implementing ultra-low power digital systems in many modern applications such as mobile systems, sensor networks or implanted biomedical systems has made the design of logic circuits in sub-threshold regime a very important challenge. The goal of this project is the exploration of new methodologies for implementing ultra-low power digital integrated systems. One of the main issues in design of ultra-low power CMOS digital circuits is the leakage current due to sub-threshold conduction and gate-oxide tunneling. The tight tradeoff among different device parameters makes the design of such systems in advanced CMOS technologies a very difficult task.
NTF RTD
ULP-Logic
COMES Designing advanced (most often, distributed) embedded systems interacting with the physical world, such as the ones envisioned in the Nano-Tera.ch initiative, implies dealing with extreme complexity – from modeling and simulation of the physical systems to identification of optimal information collection and processing, from design and validation of hardware to design and testing of software, etc. In general, such complexity would make a real-world design and implementation actually unfeasible; identifying the approaches that lead to feasibility while at the same time granting accuracy and robustness becomes the main challenge. Principal Investigator Prof. Mariagiovanna Sami, USI Prof. Yusuf Leblebici, EPFL
The overall problem of complexity management for embedded systems is addressed in this project, which consists of a sequence of coordinated actions of different types. The educational program is composed of two 1-2 day workshops (respectively at the beginning and at the end) and a school, lasting five days and revolving around a few key topics. This aims at preparing a strong basis, considering different viewpoints and presenting challenges and solutions of specific relevance to Nano-Tera.
Simple problems are not amusing: making complex “ problems simple is the best challenge! ”
Prof. Mariagiovanna Sami, USI
COMES
Complexity management in embedded systems
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Principal Investigator Dr. Daniel Roggen, ETHZ Dr. Dennis Majoe, EPFL
In this project we develop an educational kit to support hands-on teaching of wearable computing and the rapid prototyping and demonstration of simple context aware wearable computing systems. This kit is composed of hardware, software and algorithmic bricks that can be interfaced in a simple way using “plug-and-play” principles at the hardware and software level. Applications and demonstrations can be programmed using a dedicated development environment tailored for context-aware wearable computing applications.
“ Wearable computing: it’s about experiencing it ”
Dr. Daniel Roggen, ETHZ
EducationalKit
Education kit for wearable computing
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ED
From a technical and scientific viewpoint, wearable computing is approaching a maturity level where it can leave universities and enter the realm of industrial and consumer applications. In order to keep a competitive advantage, it is important to educate future engineers in this new technology. In the same way, university students choosing an academic career need to think about the science behind next generation wearable systems. In a broader sense, there is a need to make wearable computing more mainstream, outside of academic and engineering circles, in order to enable deployment of wearable computing driven by application scenarios.
NTF RTD
EducationalKit
TED-Activities The Nano-Tera program gathers scientists from different backgrounds – physics, chemistry, biology, microtechnology, optics, etc – working on common projects in different fields: sensors and actuators, signal processing, software, system architecture, application fields and more. This leads to a large demand for cross-disciplinary education among the scientists, which is being addressed by an internal workshops program. These events allow the community to gain insight about the work of others and encourage interactions.
Principal Investigator M.Sc. Philippe Fischer, FSRM Prof. Nicolaas de Rooij, EPFL
In order to ensure the success of the industrialization stage, there will be a need for transfer of knowledge from the research institution to the industry: this is addressed by a large continuous education program for engineers active in research and development or other professionals. Nano-Tera is pursuing scientific excellence in many technologies and in their integration into systems. For students and researchers at Swiss and foreign universities and especially for young researchers from the Nano-Tera community, condensed summer schools on specific topics are planned.
“ Courses on advanced scientific topics must be considered as pioneer work with the objective to raise early adopters for a new technology. ” Philippe Fischer, FSRM
TED-Activities
Training, education and dissemination activities
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– Inside-out perspective: Each Nano-Tera.ch project has its own WikiPage. Every collaborator involved in these projects can participate and share information such as abstracts, news, didactic videos, and interesting results published. This is an opportunity to gain larger exposure and trigger interest from peers and other parties. – Outside-in perspective: General themes related to Nano-Tera have been identified to expand the vision of the application potentials for each research field. A selection of general information and news for each theme is being gathered and organized, and the corresponding pages will grow accordingly. Through this approach, a different image of the conducted research can be created and outlined for the benefit of the Nano-Tera community and interested parties that may want to join. Innovation and value to the benefit of society often results from a final bottom-up path which takes advantage of the infrastructure made available and the melting pot of dynamic interaction. The exchange of information between researchers at all levels as well as with the outside world is paramount to catalyze output and visibility in the value chain from research to product development. This interactive website is therefore made for the community and by the community.
http://www.nano-tera.ch/topdownbottomup
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ED
An online community of knowledge platform revolving around the Nano-Tera area of research has been developed on the initiative of Dr. Bradley, Executive Director. The objective is to offer an open web-based sharing platform with complementary inside-out and outside-in knowledge management perspectives as well as top-down and bottom-up exchanges. This dynamic will steer general interest from various level of sources, from internal and external players to the overall core research carried out within the program, to its cutting edge expertise and to promising potential applications.
NTF RTD
The Interactive Community Portal of Nano-Tera.ch
Governing bodies The Executive Committee.
Prof. Boi Faltings EPFL
Prof. Christofer Hierold ETHZ
Prof. Giovanni De Micheli Chair, EPFL
Prof. Nicolaas de Rooij EPFL
Dr. Alex Dommann CSEM
Prof. Mehdi Jazayeri USI
Prof. Christian Schönenberger UniBas
Prof. Lothar Thiele ETHZ
John Maxwell Webmaster
Dr. Patrick Mayor Scientific Coordinator and Reporter
Michèle Tomsa Administrative Assistant and Project Controller
The Management Office.
Dr. Peter Bradley Executive Director
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Léonore Golay-Miauton Knowledge Community Developer
SNF evaluation panel for RTD Call ’08
SNF evaluation panel for RTD Call ’09
Dr. Andrea Cuomo STMicro
Prof. Paul Leiderer Chairman University of Konstanz
Prof. Paul Leiderer Chairman University of Konstanz
Prof. Manfred Bayer TU-Dortmund
Dr. Amara Amara Institut Supérieur d’Electronique de Paris
Prof. Satoshi Goto Waseda University Prof. Nick Jennings University of Southampton Prof. Teresa Meng Stanford University Prof. Heinrich Meyr University of Aachen Prof. Patrick Aebischer Chairman and President of EPFL
Prof. Ralph Eichler President ETHZ
Prof. Khalil Najafi University of Michigan Prof. Calton Pu Georgia Tech Prof. Lina Sarro TU Delft Prof. Göran Stemme Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
Dr. David Bishop Bell Labs Dr. Frederica Darema NSF (USA) Dr. Al Dunlop Industrial Consultant Prof. Klaus Ensslin ETHZ Prof. George Gielen Leuven University Prof. Chih-Ming Ho UCLA Dr. Patrick Hunziker Uni. Hospital Basel Dr. Karl Knop SATW Prof. Jeff Magee Imperial College
Dr. Mario El-Khoury CEO CSEM
Prof. Antonio Loprieno President UniBas
Prof. Moira Norrie ETHZ Prof. Jürg Osterwalder University of Zurich Prof. Christopher Rose Rutgers University Prof. Rodney Ruoff University of Texas Prof. Hubert van den Bergh EPFL Dr. Marco Wieland Inst. Straumann AG
Prof. Piero Martinoli President USI
Prof. Martine Rahier President UniNE
Dr. Frederica Darema NSF (USA) Prof. Patrick Dewilde Technische Universität München Dr. Urs Dürig IBM Zürich Prof. Klaus Ensslin ETHZ Prof. Rolf Ernst Technische Universität CaroloWilhelmina zu Braunschweig Prof. George Gielen Leuven University Prof. Chih-Ming Ho UCLA Dr. Patrick Hunziker Uni. Hospital Basel Prof. Moira Norrie ETHZ Prof. Jan Rabaey University of California Berkeley Prof. Albert van den Berg University of Twente Prof. Hubert van den Bergh EPFL Dr. Marco Wieland Nanopowers SA Prof. Hiroto Yasuura Kyushu University
Prof. Hiroto Yasuura Kyushu University
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NTF RTD
Scientific Advisory Board
ED
The Steering Committee.
Distribution of all 67 research groups by institution and by location.
Leading house EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne
Founding institutions CSEM Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne ETHZ Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich UniBas University of Basel UniNE University of Neuch창tel USI University of Lugano
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Other partners CHUV University Hospital of Vaud EMPA Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research FHNW University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FSRM Swiss Foundation for Research in Microtechnology HESSO-VS University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Valais IBM ZRL IBM Zurich Research Laboratory Icare Icare Institute IST Institute for Work and Health PSI Paul Scherrer Institute SPZ Swiss Paraplegic Center Symbios UNIL University of Lausanne USZ University Hospital of Zurich
Founding institutions
Other partners
Edition: Dr. Patrick Mayor Scientific Coordinator and Reporter +41 21 693 81 66 patrick.mayor@nano-tera.ch Graphic design: Wauner Smith Portrait photographer: Alain Herzog Contacts: Prof. Giovanni De Micheli Program Leader +41 21 693 09 11 giovanni.demicheli@epfl.ch Dr. Peter Bradley Executive Director +41 21 693 81 62 peter.bradley@nano-tera.ch Visit our website: www.nano-tera.ch