Aircraft, Spacecraft and Defense Industries and Agencies End-Users and Harsh Environment (HE) Sensors technology developers from Europe, Canada, USA, Brazil and other countries are coming together to form the "International Aerospace MNT Harsh Environment Sensors/Systems Consortia" under the auspices of the International CANEUS Organization. These organizations are all agreeing to pool their resources in order to create a collaborative environment where the membership's proceeds are conjoined to focus on high risk, high cost aerospace HE Sensors initiatives. The unique innovation environment provided by CANEUS' Working Group model would be the basis for this collaborative undertaking.

Workshop in Neuchâtel Switzerland

The International CANEUS Organization applauds the Institute of Microtechnology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland for hosting the MNT based Harsh Environment (HE) Sensors workshop at Neuchâtel Switzerland, September 25-26, in partnership with EADS France.

Vision: CANEUS International Harsh Environment (HE) Sensors Consortia:

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 the European solid state technologies such as SiC, SOI, ceramics/alloys, in collaboration with partners from North/South America and Asia.

Recent Developments in the European Solid State Technologies Activities

There have been significant developments from the European partners since the CANEUS 2006 Conference and Workshop in Toulouse.

The postulated SOI technology transfer from the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL, Belgium) to the Institute of Electron Technology (ITE, Poland) will be carried out in the frame of an European FP7 Project led by EADS France. A new SiC R&D and small production center for MEMS is being created in Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

(HE) Sensors Roadmap and Workshop Deliverables

The Workshop will develop the HE 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.