Smart systems are "intelligent" devices or systems that use integrated sensors to record data from the environment, process it independently using electronics and associated software and react to the signal accordingly using suitable actuators. Areas of application include medical technology (e.g. intelligent implants), production technology, automotive (e.g. driver assistance systems), logistics, security technology and information and communication technology. Safety aspects, reliability, miniaturisation, energy consumption and intelligent data processing play a decisive role in the development of intelligent systems.
Furtwangen University carries out interdisciplinary research projects on technology developments for the production of miniaturised sensors and actuators, signal acquisition and processing, the development of embedded systems, smart implant systems and optical systems.
Microsystems
The research topics in the microsystems focus area are research into processes for the design, modelling and simulation, production and characterisation of miniaturised systems.
Highly qualified scientists and a well-equipped clean room (technology laboratory for nano- and microsystems for the production of Si-based microsystems) are the best prerequisites for our developments:
Modern CAD, FEM and VHDL tools are used for design and simulation. High-precision measuring instruments (AFM, SEM, various imaging interference methods, profilometers) are available for characterisation.
Almost all projects are carried out in close cooperation with research partners, e.g. the University of Freiburg, the HSG-IMIT and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft für Physikalische Messtechnik (IPM) in Germany, but also with the MFA Budapest (Hungary) and the Tula State University (Russia) abroad. In this context, the GenMik doctoral college, which is run jointly with the University of Freiburg, IMTEK, is working on generation mechanisms for microstructures.