Harsh Environment Sensors Workshop 2008
Goals
- To establish a direct communication between Space/Aerospace End-Users and MEMS/Microsystems Technology providers in order to accelerate the use of MEMS sensors in Harsh Environments.
- To enable End-Users to explain their requirements for harsh environment sensors, and to allow technology providers to show how their MNT solutions can be used in Aerospace applications.
- To bring these two communities together to understand each other's capabilities and needs in order to develop joint projects on MNT sensors for harsh environments.
Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Background: CANEUS Workshops
CANEUS is a worldwide organization of professionals with a unique purpose: to rapidly and cost-effectively infuse emerging Micro and Nano Technologies (MNT) into Aerospace applications. CANEUS measures its success in the number of emerging technologies that it has actively helped to bridge the mid-maturity "Valley of Death" standing in the way of successful transition to Aerospace systems. The CANEUS Workshops are a critical vehicle by which promising new MNT concepts are brought to the attention of the CANEUS community. The primary question that each CANEUS Workshop has to answer is simple: Can a viable business be initiated to develop the particular MNT-based product under consideration?
2008 Harsh Environment Workshop Objectives
Harsh Environment (HE) Sensors are a key challenge, especially for low volume and high reliability applications in various fields like Space, Aerospace, Defense, and Energy. The main objective of the MNT-based Harsh Environment (HE) Sensors Workshop is to establish international consortia and evolve from concept to system-level products, based on the recent advances in solid state technologies such as SiC, SOI, ceramics/alloys.
There is often little communication between end-user (such as satellite builders) and technology providers (such as MEMS accelerometer manufacturers). This workshop aims at sharing information between those two communities in order to develop the Harsh Environment roadmaps to address aerospace needs for MNT sensors/systems. The proposed consortium project will be based on a clear identification of the end-user needs and technical capabilities provided by involved laboratory and manufacturer know-how. National and International Agencies will be also involved in the project.
Conclusions will emphasize a possible cooperation to be set up at a worldwide level and at the end of the two-day workshop; we hope to be in a position to provide answers for the following:
- Define the needs for HE MNT systems.
- Define adequate technology routes, complete missing process/materials steps.
- Define long-term cooperation procedures with these new Development & Production Centers.
- Build Consortia and funding proposal submission to be put together.
2008 Harsh Environment Workshop Organization
The workshop will be held over 2 days.
- The first day consists of a) presentation from End-Users aimed at explaining to MNT technology developers and providers what their current and expected needs are for Harsh Environment sensors. And b) presentations from NMT providers to inform Aerospace end-users on the latest developments in MNT sensors for harsh environments and on their plans for further development.
- The second day consists primarily in a series of workshops where End-users and Technology providers work together in small groups on specific application areas in order to develop a specific action plan to form a consortium to bring a MNT technology into an Aerospace application.
- The sub-groups are:
- Aeronautics
- Space - Telecom and Earth observation
- Space - Launcher and space exploration
- Funding