News Article
Russian MEMS tackle new materials
St. Petersburg Electro-Technical Insitute still uses the acronym LETI, from the days when the city was Leningrad. Like the French research centre with the same name, the University has a strong history of research and has moved from a state controlled operation to an open house of learning and innovation.
St. Petersburg Electro-Technical Insitute still uses the acronym LETI, from the days when the city was Leningrad. Like the French research centre with the same name, the University has a strong history of research and has moved from a state controlled operation to an open house of learning and innovation. The Russian LETI has a long history that includes Alexander Popoff, one of the inventors of the radio wave transmission. A fact the whole country remembers on May 7th with Radio Day, in memory of Popov. The University has continued the proud tradition of innovation and is now developing programs for the 21st century.
The Microtechnology and Diagnostics centre is run by Professor Victor Luchinin, an active man who infects those around with his enthusiasm. Within his department he has been running a very successful micro electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) program.
“We have been developing MEMS products since 2000,” explained Professor Luchinin. “We have looked at how others are creating MEMS and have decided to stick with the method we have created.”
The St. Petersburg LETI group focus on their material expertise to develop new MEMS. They use silicon carbide and other epitaxial substrates to develop high end MEMS devices.
“We see ourselves more as materials experts than MEMS manufacturers,” explained Luchinin.
The University helps fund its research by taking on external projects and over the last few years have searched beyond Russian shores for partners. The most recent success was developing a MEMS-based silicon carbide sensor for use in nuclear reactors funded by a $600,000 grant from the US Sandia National laboratories.
A major problem for the university as well as many other Russian companies and institutions was a lack of advanced technology equipment. Despite this the innovation and energy expended on what is available is extraordinary and is producing some excellent results. The institute and other sections of the Russian microelectronics community are now actively seeking research partners to expand and commercialise their efforts.
The Microtechnology and Diagnostics centre is run by Professor Victor Luchinin, an active man who infects those around with his enthusiasm. Within his department he has been running a very successful micro electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) program.
“We have been developing MEMS products since 2000,” explained Professor Luchinin. “We have looked at how others are creating MEMS and have decided to stick with the method we have created.”
The St. Petersburg LETI group focus on their material expertise to develop new MEMS. They use silicon carbide and other epitaxial substrates to develop high end MEMS devices.
“We see ourselves more as materials experts than MEMS manufacturers,” explained Luchinin.
The University helps fund its research by taking on external projects and over the last few years have searched beyond Russian shores for partners. The most recent success was developing a MEMS-based silicon carbide sensor for use in nuclear reactors funded by a $600,000 grant from the US Sandia National laboratories.
A major problem for the university as well as many other Russian companies and institutions was a lack of advanced technology equipment. Despite this the innovation and energy expended on what is available is extraordinary and is producing some excellent results. The institute and other sections of the Russian microelectronics community are now actively seeking research partners to expand and commercialise their efforts.
