A Driving Force for Innovation in Smart Sensor Systems

Five new high-tech cleanroom facilities, proven scientific expertise, and the opportunity to develop smart sensors in-house at the University of Siegen—the WISENT pilot line is much more than just a research project. With WISENT, a research infrastructure has been established at the University of Siegen’s new high-tech research center, INCYTE, that attracts companies, scientists, and students from all over the world. At the official kick-off event, over 100 of them gathered to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for use and collaboration. The innovation: For the first time in the history of the University of Siegen, it is now possible to develop, simulate, manufacture on an atomic scale, characterize, and test sensors—all at the level of individual atoms. 

“The WISENT project is characteristic of a university that does not conduct its research in an ivory tower, but rather shares its infrastructure and expertise with strong partners in the region,” says Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese, Rector of the University of Siegen. This holds great potential, especially for South Westphalia with its strong industrial base. The goal is for the new infrastructure to yield one thing above all else: as many successful collaborations as possible. “WISENT strengthens the University of Siegen’s position as a research hub with far-reaching technological prospects,” adds Prof. Dr. Andreas Kolb, Vice Rector for Research, Infrastructure, and Networking. The combination of sensor technology, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and prototype sensor manufacturing creates excellent conditions for research with high scientific and societal relevance. “This brings us a good deal closer to our strategic goal of developing Siegen into a leading hub for intelligent sensor technology.” Funded by the EU and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia through the “EFRE/JTF NRW 2021–2027” infrastructure program, WISENT has a budget of 4.7 million euros at its disposal. WISENT stands for Westphalian Intelligent Sensor Integration Pilot Line/South Westphalian Pilot Line for the Integration of Intelligent Sensor Systems. 

New Opportunities for Businesses

© Universität Siegen / Sascha Hüttenhain

“Here in Siegen, we now have a technology standard that makes us very, very visible on the research map, both nationally and internationally,” says WISENT’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Andreas Bablich. And not only within the scientific community, but also with regard to industry. Cooperation and close collaboration with the business community to create added value for society are central tenets of WISENT: Companies and startups from the region and beyond can utilize the infrastructure and scientific expertise to conduct feasibility studies and develop initial prototypes for new sensor concepts. Thanks to WISENT, companies do not have to invest in costly large-scale equipment themselves but instead gain access to the highly specialized infrastructure in the INCYTE building. This enables them to develop sensor technology that is not yet available on the market. The goal is to develop and shape ideas on an equal footing with researchers. The focus here is primarily on nonprofit research collaborations. Interested companies and research institutions will be able to submit their project proposals in the future via a form on the WISENT website. Researchers at the University of Siegen will then assess whether a collaboration is feasible.

© Universität Siegen / Sascha Hüttenhain

Thirteen companies are already actively collaborating with WISENT and have each signed a corresponding agreement. These include local companies such as the university spin-offs eleQtron (quantum computing), IGI (geoscientific data acquisition and sensor technology), and NEUROLOGIQ (industrial AI), as well as national firms such as Siemens, Carl Zeiss AG, and Leybold GmbH, and international companies such as Sony. Leybold GmbH from Cologne, for example, has contributed its expertise in vacuum technology and coating processes to the equipping of the laboratories in the new INCYTE research building. In return, the company has the opportunity to gain valuable insights for improving its existing products through material analyses and by drawing on the expertise of the University of Siegen. Currently, they are conducting research to make pacemakers significantly more durable using novel materials. The Siegen-based company eleQtron uses the infrastructure to characterize and improve ion traps—a core capability in the field of quantum computing.

Smart sensors are a crucial foundation for numerous future technologies: from automated and networked production processes to mobility, quantum computing, and robotics, all the way to medical applications and environmental monitoring.

The success of the WISENT project depends largely on decades of groundwork at the University of Siegen. With the Center for Sensor Systems (ZESS), the University of Siegen has had an internationally recognized platform for research in this key technology area for many years. 

Participating departments at the University of Siegen:

• Prof. Dr. Peter Haring Bolívar (Chair of Ultra-High-Frequency Technology and Quantum Electronics)
• Prof. Dr. Benjamin Butz (Chair of Micro- and Nanoanalytics)
• Prof. Dr. Bhaskar Choubey (Chair of Analog Circuit Technology and Imaging Sensor Systems)
• Prof. Dr. Michael Möller (Chair of Computer Vision)
• Prof. Dr. Ivo Ihrke (Chair of Computational Sensing and Communications Engineering)
• PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Andreas Bablich (Chair of Graphene-Based Nanotechnology)

WISENT’s industry partners:
13 companies are actively collaborating with WISENT and have each signed a corresponding letter of intent (LOI): Elmos, eleQtron, pmd technologies, ifm electronic, IGI (Engineering Society for Interfaces), Siemens, Leica, Carl Zeiss AG, Sony, Hella, Leybold GmbH, GED (Society for Electronics and Design), K Lens GmbH.