Our team

The Institute of Microsystems Technology (iMST) has been researching new microsystems, associated modelling and manufacturing processes and characterisation methods for many years. The iMST is one of the largest research institutes at HFU and its research results are also recognised internationally.

Today, millions of microsystems are used in automobiles (sensors), in communication technology (microphones and high-frequency components, smart phones, micromirrors in projectors, print heads in inkjet printers) and in medical technology (retina implants, cochlear implants). This requires structures in the micrometer range, which are produced using microtechnical processes and combine electronic and non-electronic functions in the smallest of spaces in a single system.

The highly motivated, multidisciplinary team conducts research in numerous cooperation projects with companies, scientific institutions and universities on application-oriented issues in microsystems technology.

Internships, theses and doctorates

Students can find exciting topics for practical work or theses in the context of current research projects. The iMST also regularly offers doctoral positions in these projects. HFU can directly supervise these doctoral theses as part of the doctoral association of Baden-Württemberg universities (Promotionszentrum BW-CAR www.hs-furtwangen.de/zukunft-forschen/promotion).

Laboratories and equipment

The iMST includes the Internal link opens in the same window:Nano- and Microtechnology Laboratory in Furtwangen and the Internal link opens in the same window:Rottweil Research Center. There is extensive equipment in the clean room with innovative coating systems (PVD, PECVD, ALD, parylene coating) and structuring methods (photo-lithography and mask-less laser lithography, FIB structuring). State-of-the-art equipment such as FIB-SEM, RAMAN spectroscopy or laser scanning microscopes are available for surface and interface analysis.

Microsystems can be tested for their suitability and long-term stability in harsh environments (e.g. for active implants: simulated physiological body environment) in special aging tests.