Project e-BRAINS

Project Goal

The European partners participating in e-BRAINS (Best-Reliable Intelligent Ambient Nanosensor Systems) are striving to develop outstanding and forward-looking applications based on nanosensors. These are of particular importance in areas where high miniaturization, low energy consumption and the integration of physically disparate components are critical. Although these systems will be of minimal size and weight and consume little energy, their performance and efficiency should be superior to today's system solutions.

Approach

The robustness and reliability of the sensors are at the focus of all activities in the e-BRAINS project. Sensor systems at the nanoscale are a very promising and innovative approach for implementing new and improved functionality in a number of products.

The challenges here lie primarily in the high integration density of various subsystems and in the implementation of suitable electrical connection structures. For this reason, the project will make use of 3D integration techniques and work to improve their robustness. Reducing energy consumption and thereby shrinking the size of the supply systems will also be a critical feature of e-BRAINS applications.

The EAS Division will collaborate on the development of methodologies for an automated design process in 3D integration. The main tasks are creation of a concept for system modeling and the simulation of electrical connection structures. EAS is also providing conceptual support in the development of a gas sensor based on photonic crystals and is participating in the definition of design rules.

Project status: completed

E-BRAINS was supported by the European Union within the 7th framework programme for research and technological development.