Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology

CSEM Centre Suisse d' Electronique et de Microtechnology SA is a Swiss research and development center with a focus on micro-and nanotechnology, microelectronics, systems engineering and communications technologies. In addition to its headquarters in Neuchatel, CSEM has additional offices in Basel, Zurich, Alpnach and Landquart. CSEM operates overseas branches in the United Arab Emirates ( CSEM -UAE ) and Brazil.

Generally

CSEM in 1984 resulted from the pooling of research and development activities of the Swiss watch industry in the fields of electronics and microtechnology. The CSEM is organized under private law as a public company. Shareholders of the corporation are both Swiss companies, as well as government agencies. With a share of 20 %, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL ) - and thus the Swiss Confederation - the largest shareholder.

The total turnover of CSEM is divided into: (as of 2011 )

  • 38% of industrial projects
  • 29% federal contributions
  • 18% of EU research projects
  • 12 % Cantonal contributions
  • 6 % Swiss research contributions (CTI)

Research collaborations

As part of its research activities, the CSEM has numerous collaborations with other research institutions, such as EPFL and ETHZ, EMPA, Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics ( Microelectronics ), Institute of Microtechnology (IMT ) of the University of Neuchâtel, VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland and CEA -DRT (CEA - Direction de la recherche Technologique ) in France.

With the three facilities

  • Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Germany
  • Commissariat à l' énergie Atomique et aux énergies alternative in France
  • VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland

CSEM has teamed up with the HTA - Heterogeneous Technology Alliance. This has, inter alia, the common service company 4- LABS based in Geneva.

Research priorities

The CSEM is mainly active in the following technology areas:

  • Microsystems: Integrated systems ( with specific mechanical, optical, electronic, or chemical functions ) for information technology.
  • Photonics and Optoelectronics: Micro-optical applications, cameras, optical sensors.
  • Microtechnology and nanotechnology: Powerful systems in the nanometer range
  • Nanomedicine: Molecular tools and tools for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
  • Systems Engineering: design and development of complex products.
  • Micro robotics: solutions for the automation of production processes or of precise positioning.
  • Time & Frequency: traditional and optical clocks or time standards

CSEM offers its clients in these areas of technology following services:

  • Applied research and development: from prototype to small batch production
  • Development contracts for industry
  • Technology transfer and licenses
  • High-tech consulting
  • Creation of spin - offs and start -ups

Structure

The CSEM is divided into 10 business units, which are distributed among the five sites. The main areas are: Microsystems, Microelectronics, Photonics, Micro- and Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine, systems engineering, Microrobotics and Time & Frequency. Since its inception, CSEM has established 27 spin- offs and start -ups.

Employee

The employees come from Switzerland and 28 other nations. Of the 230 employees have a university degree, mostly in an engineering degree program. CSEM has 26 PhD students.

Types of business entity Claude Nicollier Landquart, Switzerland VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Fraunhofer Society Corporate spin-off
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