Bundesunterstützung Centre suisse d'éléctronique et de microtechnique

• Unité de recherche: SEFRI
• Numéro de projet: P2017-CSEM

Mots-clé (Anglais)

Technology, Neuchâtel, EPFL, IEMPA, Innovation, Industry, private applied research, development center, microtechnology, nanotechnology, microelectronics

Programme de recherche (Anglais)

Microsystems Technology
   

Nanotechnology & Life Sciences
   

Nanomedicine
   

Systems Engineering
   

Integrated & Wireless Systems
  

Photonics
  

Microrobotics & Packaging
  

Thin Film Optics

Description succincte (Anglais)

CSEM ist an independant, private, non-profit Swiss company for applied research, including technology, strategy and innovation consulting, focused on generating value for a sustainable world.

From the beginning, CSEM has been committed to both applied and order-related research and development. This bridge function between economics and science is still a core aspect of the company, and CSEM has continuously adapted its research areas to the needs of industry. Despite its initial proximity to the watchmaking industry, CSEM has expanded its fields of activity and now offers a wide range of technologies for various markets.

In 2006, the Swiss government through the EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne) decided to acquire an equity participation in CSEM. Consequently, EPFL has become CSEM's largest shareholder, owning 20% of its shares.

The Swiss government welcomed the transition of the scientific governance of CSEM from the OFFT (Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology) to a scientific advisory board chaired by EPFL. EPFL has two members on the Board of Directors of CSEM. The close link to EPFL in particular and to the domain of Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in general is CSEM's guarantee of a long-term commitment of the Swiss Government to CSEM.

Autres indications (Anglais)

The CSEM success story was launched as a result of the visionary plans of the Swiss Confederation in the early 1980s. At that time, the Swiss Federal Council was concerned that Swiss industry was losing ground in the field of new technologies to neighboring countries. To counter this trend, it strongly supported the creation of a private research and development center in Switzerland. Neuchâtel, already famous for its long tradition in watch-making and microtechnology, seemed to be the ideal location for the establishment of this new innovation centre.

In 1984, three companies active in the field of microtechnology in Neuchâtel - the Centre Electronique Horloger (CEH), the Fondation Suisse pour la Recherche en Microtechnique (FSRM) and the Laboratoire Suisse de Recherches Horlogères (LSRH) - merged to become the CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA. Besides the Confederation and the canton of Neuchâtel, many well-known Swiss companies supported the new R&D center. Most of them became shareholders and have kept in touch with CSEM as it developed further.

Objectifs du projet (Anglais)

CSEM aim to be one of the best innovation centers worldwide, providing novel applications and solutions to our customers by developing and applying our technology platforms in micro-, nano- and information technologies, thus adding value to the results of research.

Their research activities - financed by public funds - combined with the research results of our academic partners, help it to develop our technology platforms for the benefit of our industrial customers and our start-ups.

CSEM is aware that collaborating with other innovation centers and research entities is crucial. With this in mind, it had built up a strong national and international network. It works together with CEA/Léti in France, the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (Mikroelektronische Allianz) in Germany and VTT in Finland. Together with these institutions, CSEM created HTA (Heterogeneous Technology Alliance), to prepare for the next generation of technology.

The research strategy is based on extensive market research, and helps to develop technologies today which will be needed in the future.

Résumé des résultats (Abstract) (Anglais)

For further information, please refer to the website of CSEM:
http://www.csem.ch/site/

Contact:
CSEM Headquarters
Rue Jaquet-Droz 1
CH-2002 Neuchâtel
T [phone]
[e-mail]