Innovations for the digital society of the future are the focus of research and development work at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute HHI. In this area, Fraunhofer HHI is a world leader in the development of mobile and optical communication networks and systems, fiber optical sensor systems as well as the processing and coding of video signals.

Together with international partners from research and industry, Fraunhofer HHI works in the whole spectrum of digital infrastructure – from fundamental research to the development of prototypes and solutions. The institute develops standards for information and communication technologies and creates new applications as an industry partner.

HHI is a member of EPIC and OptecBB
InP epitaxy and processing line

Polymer and silicon waveguide processing line

Fiber Bragg grating write facility

Electro optical measurement equipment up to 100 GHz bandwidth

Fiber loop testbeds
. Development

Prototype and demonstrator development

Characterization and testing
. Yes. service.

The centre CEPLANT at Masaryk University was established in 2010 in order to develop highly innovative plasma-based technologies for surface modifications according to the market demand, especially the demand of SME. It was enabled due to the more than 50 years lasting tradition of the high-quality applied research of plasma technologies and plasma sources at the Masaryk University.

The long-term vision is to establish a reputable centre that will be the leading Central European R&D institution in the field of in-line plasma surface treatments and will be sought after as an R&D partner by global international companies too.

The main R&D areas are:
1. Plasma treatment to gain required surface properties and plasma diagnostics and modelling (various plasma sources developed by CEPLANT - based on the unique patented technology DCSBD, and several commercial plasma sources);
2. Thin film deposition (preparation of wide range of thin films - metals, oxides, nitrides, ceramics; using different techniques -… Thanks to the funding by the European Regional Development Fund the centre CEPLANT was equipped with the following top devices for comprehensive surface analysis and plasma diagnostics and also laboratory and commercial plasma generators:

Plasma sources

DCSBD plasma reactor with robotic arm for small rigid samples
DCSBD plasma reactor for A4-size rigid samples
DCSBD plasma reactor for flexible samples
Large area Roll-to-Roll machine for surface treatments
Industrial Corona System for treating roll material Ahlbrandt
Atmospheric plasma beam and glide arc for surface treatment of planar and 3D objects (Diener Electronic GmbH Co.)
Plasma multijet system (patent EP 2009029)
Plasma pencil (patent: EP 1077021 and patent: US 6, 525, 481)

Optical characterization and plasma diagnostics

Optical Spectrometers FHR 1000 (Horiba, France), Shamrock (Andor, England)
Portable Spectrometers AvaSpec-ULS-TEC (Avantes, NL)
Laser Induced Fluorescence – LIF (pulsed (8 ns) tunable (200 nm -…. The centre CEPLANT offers the services and products relating to the following activities:

1. Plasma treatment

The researchers from the CEPLANT centre are especially dealing with a surface treatment of plane and flexible materials by the nonisothermal atmospheric pressure plasma generated mostly by the so called Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge (DCSBD) that is also protected by the patent. The surface treatments can be carried out in an ambient air or to gain the required surface properties also in other gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide etc.

• plasma surface treatment of plane and flexible materials (textiles, foils, polymers, glass, rubber, metals, etc.)
• construction of “turnkey” plasma sources
• comparative studies of a various plasmas influence on the surface properties

2. Thin film deposition

The CEPLANT research team is also focused on the investigation and development of plasma assisted thin film deposition techniques. This research includes understanding of…. Yes. service.

National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion – INSEMEX Petrosani, founded in 1949, performs basic and applied research, technological development and provides technical solutions in the regulated fields for public interest, regarding risk assessment and prevention in activities endangered by explosive and toxic atmospheres hazards. INSEMEX Petrosani performs research in the following directions: explosion protection, explosives and blasting techniques, safety of equipment and facilities, safety of mineral resources, environmental protection, mining and industrial ventilation, classification of underground works in terms of gas releases, rescue operations in toxic / explosive / flammable atmospheres. Also, the institute conducts research aimed at establishing the causes leading to events generated by explosions of combustible substances and by explosive materials, both for the industry, as well as for the civilian area.
INSEMEX is member of the International… The research infrastructure comprises performing and state-of-the-art equipment which enables to carry out large and complex RD&I activities similar to those performed by other European institutes (ie. INERIS, INRS France, PTB Germany). By using the “Facility for research/development and testing of explosive materials, flammable/toxic substances, explosion-proof equipment and training of intervention staff for toxic/flammable atmospheres – PCDIEx” which is considered an Installation of National Interest, there are provided various research and technological development services, such as: basic and applied research, technological development for the regulated fields of public national interest, regarding risk assessment and prevention for activities with explosive/toxic atmospheres hazard, including the use of explosives, environmental protection in areas affected by mining and connected activities, equipment testing and certification, staff training, rescue activities, mines closure, as well as development…. INSEMEX provides Scientific and technological services focused on ensuring the occupational health and safety in the mining, extractive, processing, and manufacturing industries, training for risk assessment, occupational noxious, protection to explosion of technical installations an equipment, explosives for civil uses and pyrotechnic articles, environmental protection, safety of mineral resources, industrial ventilation. INSEMEX is a Notified Body at Brussels (NB 1809), providing conformity assessment services for products covered by the following European Directives: - Directive 2014/34/UE on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres - Directive 2014/28/UE on the harmonization of the provisions relating to the placing on the market and supervision of explosives for civil uses - Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment -…. Yes. service.

The thermal technology platform is unique in Europe, in terms of both its size and the scope of its R&D activities, which span technologies to produce thermal energy (concentrated solar power), store it for later use, and use it efficiently for industrial applications like heat pumps, boilers, and thermal exchangers.
The R&D carried out at the platform involves around 50 industrial partners, including major corporations like ENGIE, Saint Gobain, Total and ALCEN. These partners hope to improve the energy performance of their industrial processes by optimizing heat transfer and by introducing thermal storage systems.
The platform possesses an extraordinary range of equipment: two concentrated solar power plants of more than 1,000 sq.m, approximately 20 instrumented test loops, and thermal storage demonstrators (phase-change-material on a highpressure steam circuit, oil on rock bed, and stacked ceramic on a high-temperature—up to 1,200°C—air circuit).
. A team of 75 researchers and technicians work with industrial and academic partners on leading edge projects. Services include feasibility studies, prototype development, testing, security analysis, and benchmarking.
. Yes. service.

The smart-grid systems platform works with fifteen industrial partners on how to scale, operate, and optimize energy systems for individual homes, buildings, or entire neighborhoods.
These energy systems can be connected to intermittent energy sources (PV solar panels or electric vehicles) and electricity storage systems—all of which must be managed optimally to ensure that electricity is available when needed. R&D work at the platform encompasses modelling, virtual and real-world component testing, software development, and materials selection.
The platform leverages a real-time grid simulator showing converters, consumption, rooftop PV panels, and various electricity-storage systems. The simulator can be used to test different grid configurations, determine operation strategies, and optimize overall system efficiency.
. 30 engineers and technicians manage a real-time grid simulator integrating converters, power transfer, rooftop PV panels, and various electricity-storage systems. Services include feasibility studies, prototype development, testing, security analysis, and benchmarking.
. Yes. service.

The Pictic large-surface printing platform develops smart plastics, papers, and textiles produced by printing electronic functions directly on flexible, 320mm x 380mm surfaces. The applications for these flexible circuits are complementary to those addressed by silicon-based technologies, and include human-machine interfaces, smart lighting, interactive displays, and environmental monitoring.
The platform develops formulations for electronic inks, scales up printing processes for industrial rollout, and manufactures prototypes and preseries, working with companies from around the world.
The processes developed at the platform stand out for their precision and competitive pricing. Electronic functions are deposited on the substrate in a single step, eliminating the need to use lithography and other subtractive processes.
The platform is Europe’s only specialized R&D facility to bring together all of the necessary printing techniques—screen printing, inkjet, gravure, flexography, and slot-die—under one roof. The platform also has characterization, assembly, encapsulation, and other equipment. 600 sq. m of clean rooms, EUR 9 million in investment.
. A team of 50 researchers and technicians work with industrial and academic partners on leading edge projects. Services include feasibility studies, prototype development, testing, security analysis, and benchmarking.
. Yes. service.

The photovoltaic solar platform’s mission is to contribute to the development of a solar industry in France. And, with more than 200 employees and 100 industrial partners from SMEs to corporations, the platform is one of Europe’s largest PV R&D facilities. The platform’s PV R&D focuses on materials, with particular attention given to developing high-performance, competitively-priced silicon; PV cell technology and yield-enhancement; and solar modules and optimization.
The 15 000 m2 solar energy research facility with a total investment of 100 M€ is operated by a team of 200 researchers and technicians. Of particular interest is the Heterojunction LabFab—a pilot production line capable of manufacturing heterojunction PV cells with yields of over 20%—boasts a theoretical capacity of 30 MW. The platform helps solar-energy SMEs develop their products and services and can even build turnkey PV solar plants.
. - Scientific & technological research
- Study / initial design / Simulation
- Proof of concept / Lab testing of basic experimental set-up/ Characterisation
- Component/ breadboard / process development & testing
- Prototyping (integrated system/ sub-system) development & testing
- Pilot line / demonstration line / preseries
- Product validation / certification
 
. Yes. service.

The nanosafety platform focuses on protection, health, and safety issues related to the handling and use of nanomaterials. Housed in a  brand-new, 5,000 sq. m building and staffed by a team of 150, the platform has two main activities :

R&D, with five major focus areas: toxicology, ecotoxicology, the integration of nanomaterials into industrial processes and nanomaterials lifecycle analysis; industrial health and safety, and characterization and methods.
B2B services: training of prevention and emergency response personnel, consulting, workstation auditing and design, occupational health consulting, and 24-7 incident-response services.

The platform’s partners come from all industries (inks, paints, cosmetics, food) and also include prevention and testing organizations like INERIS, INRS, Institut Pasteur de Lille, and the French National Testing Laboratory.
5,000 sq. m, including 2,000 sq. m of laboratory space. Most notable equipment includes FFF-ICP-MS (for nanoparticle analysis), cryogenic transmission electron microscope, and a full range of equipment for the measurement of nanoparticles in aerosols and colloids.
. B2B services: training of prevention and emergency response personnel, consulting, workstation auditing and design, occupational health consulting, and 24-7 incident-response services.
. Yes. service.

The semiconductor fabrication infrastructure of CEA is composed of two major installations operating on 12 inch and 8 inch wafer sizes. The 12" nanoelectronics platform develops advanced transistors, integrated circuits and non-volatile memory. It is also where FD-SOI—today used to mass-produce chips worldwide—was born. The platform also conducts 3D integration R&D.

Activities encompass simulation, technology development, demonstrators and prototyping, advanced characterization and reliability testing. The platform can also conduct short-loop, proof-of-concept testing with wafer manufacturing sites. Foundries, fabless manufacturers, integrators, and materials and equipment manufacturing partners of the platform benefit from high-added-value modules offering excellent energy consumption, speed and frequency. This is ideal for the microcontrollers used in the automotive and medical industries and for smart cards among many other applications. The platform is one of the world’s top five 300 mm… The platform houses more than 200 primary front-end manufacturing tools covering the complete range of processing requirements. Exceptionally noteworthy is the availability of a high-end tool set and advanced know-how in e-beam lithography, a potential alternative to optical lithography in achieving ultimate resolution. 
. - Scientific & technological
- Study / initial design / Simulation
- Proof of concept / Lab testing of basic experimental set-up/ Characterisation
- Component/ breadboard / process development & testing
- Prototyping (integrated system/ sub-system) development & testing
- Pilot line / demonstration line / preseries
- Product validation / certification

Please visit the website for further information.
. Yes. service.

The nanocharacterization platform houses 40 pieces of major research equipment operated by a staff of experienced researchers and technicians. The platform studies samples for CEA research programs and conducts research on characterization techniques and protocols to provide appropriate responses to tomorrow’s characterization needs.

The platform possesses specific equipment-used at just a handful of other locations worldwide—for example the Titan Ultimate transmission electron microscope offering 50 picometer resolution.
 

Researchers can characterize a material’s morphological, physico-chemical and electrical properties based on their needs, often delivering 2D and, increasingly, 3D images of materials under study. Tests conducted provide valuable insight into nanomaterials and nanocomponents. The platform also works with major research instruments ESRF and ILL, leveraging their synchrotron and neutron capabilities to obtain even higher resolution images.

The platform is used by scientific… 40 pieces of major analytical equipment, including Ion-beam and X-ray beam, surface analysis, near-field

electron microscopy, optical characterization, magnetic resonance, and sample preparation. The total investment exceeds 30M€.
. - Scientific & technological
- Study / initial design / Simulation
- Proof of concept / Lab testing of basic experimental set-up/ Characterisation
- Component/ breadboard / process development & testing
- Prototyping (integrated system/ sub-system) development & testing
- Pilot line / demonstration line / preseries
- Product validation / certification
 
. Yes. service.