Program for Research and Innovation on Micro and Nanotechnology for Sensors

The Center for Research on Microelectronics and Nanotechnology CRMN, is a young center active in the field of research and innovation in micro and nanotechnologies and their applications, mainly sensors development. The CRMN is located in NOVATION CITY, Technopole of Sousse (Tunisia), an innovation ecosystem in the mechatronics sector that brings together innovative companies, research centers and engineering schools. The CRMN has already acquired different equipment for physical-chemical characterization of nanomaterials (such as SEM, AFM, etc.) and is currently in the process of building a 120m2 clean room and acquiring different equipment dedicated to micro and nanofabrication (first in Tunisia). It is expected that CRMN will reinforce the activities of the industry by providing services and driving innovative research projects. In this context, CRMN is facing many challenges related to the lack of technical and managerial expertise in this domain of high specialization. Thus, strengthening the capacity of the scientific, technical, and administrative staff of CRMN is very needed.

The twinning proposal comes at the right moment for CRMN since it offers an opportunity to build its capacity to become a major actor in its field of activity. In PRIMiNaS, CRMN is associated with three European leaders in the mentioned domains, namely, the Laboratory of Microelectronic Technologies (LTM), Grenoble, France, the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain and the Laboratory of Electrical Measurements and Sensor Technology (MST), Chemnitz, Germany. This partnership will enable CRMN to increase its research excellence, to enhance its networking with European research centres and industrial stakeholders and to develop a strategy for technology transfer and research valorisation. Via PRIMiNaS, CRMN aims to make a big step towards responsible research and innovation that considers societal challenges related to nanotechnology development (education, safety, etc.).