In a major step forward for regional innovation, SilMach, SUPMICOTECH and the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur announce the launch the SAMI (Autonomous Sensors for Intelligent Monitoring) project, a large-scale collaboration which positions the city of Besançon at the forefront of smart sensor technology.
With a total budget of €6 million, the SAMI project is backed by the European Union, which is contributing €4.3 million through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the FEDER-FSE+ Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Massif du Jura 2021-2027 program, managed by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region.
SAMI : An innovation at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, and watchmaking excellence.
SAMI is based on the ChronoMEMS technology, developed by SilMach, which brings together the principles of micromechanics and advanced manufacturing technologies to create autonomous smart sensors. These sensors do not require a power source, and operate by logging mechanical events, such as strain to and deformation of structures.
SilMach’s microsensors are already being used to monitor the integrity of infrastructure, being part of France 2030 through the SIRCAPASS project, which uses SilMach’s ChronoMEMS technology to monitor the structural integrity of bridges.
According to Pierre-François Louvigné, CEO of SilMach, “SAMI is our pathway to conquering new industrial markets. Our energy-free sensors are now capable of communication, paving the way for groundbreaking applications.”
Three experts unite for pathbreaking innovation
SilMach : The pioneer of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) brings its ChronoMEMS© technology, backed by 68 patents in 17 countries.
SUPMICROTECH and the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, two leading universities in the region, are participating in the project through their joint laboratory, FEMTO-ST, with two research teams on the project.
For Pascal Vairac, SUPMICROTECH’s director, "SAMI demonstrates our vision of sustainable innovation, with our hybrid microsystems bringing together high-performance with respect for the environment."
Macha Woronoff, President of the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur added, "This project brings the synergy between academic research and industry to life, showcasing the French approach to innovation."
A versatile and eco-friendly technology
SAMI aims to develop generic, cost-effective, and eco-friendly ChronoMEMS© sensors, applicable to a wide range of sectors, including transportation, construction, healthcare, and energy. These micromechanical sensors operate without an external energy source, tracking the deformation of the structure they are attached to in order to detect and record mechanical events.
The components are inspired from the watchmaking industry (such as micrometric gear systems) and apply fundamental mechanical principles (e.g., ratchet wheels and mass-spring systems) to detect and log events. They are miniaturized using silicon-based cleanroom manufacturing technologies and hybridized with a human-readable interface through specialized processes developed by SilMach and FEMTO-ST.
A tool for threshold management, tracking events as fatigue monitoring or threshold breach detection, these sensors provide continuous, 24/7 operational monitoring, a crucial feature for numerous industries.
A boost for industry in the region
The SAMI project aims to reach a higher level of technological readiness (TRL5 to TRL7), paving the way for large-scale production. Till 2030, tens of thousands of sensors will be produced annually in the region, consolidating its role as a cutting-edge innovation hub.
Such production, automated in large parts, shall actively contribute to the reindustrialisation of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, reinforcing its position as a centre of excellence in microtechnology and smart sensors.
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