In-depth application knowledge meets external expertise

CEDES is the global leader in elevator sensors. The optical sensors are based on the latest technologies, although the elevator industry is very price sensitive.

In this Innovation Booster Photonics Project, our deep knowledge of the application met with external know-how from a university of applied sciences and external expertise, allowing existing technologies to be tested in new areas.

The project was about evaluating different measurement approaches and then assessing whether the harsh environment in the lift could enable an application. As a result, new potential solutions could be found thanks to complementary expertise from the project team with technology approaches that were not yet known within the company. The Booster Project was therefore an eye-opener for all parties involved. I found the collaboration very fruitful.

It can be a long way from an idea to a product. Photonics Innovation Booster took us a big step further.

We had an idea how to use an optical measurement system in a digital load cell. After a theoretical analysis, Photonics Innovation Booster's support enabled us to test and verify the measurement system in the lab. Our research partner, the OST Campus Buchs, built an experimental setup in their optics laboratory and tested the optical measurement system for its suitability in a load cell. The results are very promising. We are currently planning a follow-up project to develop a digital load cell. The support and network of Photonics Innovation Booster helped us to get in touch with new potential partners.

Thinking outside of the vacuum chamber: finding disruptive solutions for the Swiss optical coating manufacturing community

The Innosuisse Photonics Booster Project Pracmatic offered a valuable innovation-oriented collaboration between a broad variety of research institutions and industrial companies.

The initiative allowed us to brainstorm ideas, discuss with peers, increase our networking structure and identify solutions to improve production vield of multifunctional optical coating processes.

In doing so, the project gave the necessary stimulus for setting up a science based innovation project between a consortium of industrial partners. We are very interested to contribute to a potential follow-up project if feasible.

Including the end-user perspective already at the beginning

XENLUX develops, produces and offers fiber optic components and systems for innovative applications. To this end, the company also exploits today's possibilities for integrating electronics and photonics in so-called system-in-package (SiP) components. These are an important key to the digitalization of the economy and society.

XENLUX tested an innovation idea in a project of the Innovation Booster Photonics with experts from its network and other partners as well as potential key users of such components. The Innovation Booster project allowed us to test and confirm the market acceptance of our innovation idea in an area that is new to us and to sharpen our understanding of the requirements of potential key users. In addition, we found partners who offered to test functional samples of our development.

XENLUX has used the momentum from the Innovation Booster project and is at the start of a larger innovation project funded by Innosuisse. The intensive exchange with key users in the project has helped to ensure that we are optimally prepared. The collaboration formed as a result and the funding from Innosuisse now greatly expands our possibilities as a small SME.

Innovative process technology thanks to an interdisciplinary team from research and industry

With our vision "Connecting - today and beyond", we at HUBER+SUHNER link the aspiration to serve the needs of society today and tomorrow with connectivity solutions, while at the same time helping to shape the future with innovative solutions. Every day, over 4,500 employees at 39 locations worldwide work to deliver on this promise. Together, we serve our three main markets of industry, communications and transportation with applications from three technologies: radio frequency, fiber optics and low frequency.

HUBER+SUHNER has identified a large market potential for a new process technology. Within the framework of an Innovation Booster Photonics (IB-P) project, HUBER+SUHNER would like to pursue and evaluate possible new approaches to solving a technological problem that has not yet been solved. The project will now start with a detailed technology scouting and then develop first concepts.

Thanks to the IB-P, it has been possible to establish a suitable network of research and industry. This has enabled a project team to be put together which, thanks to its interdisciplinarity, can work on various approaches with the necessary specialist expertise and methodology. The project benefited from the simple, fast and uncomplicated support provided by the IB-P.

The project could be started successfully and now the different phases technology scouting, ideation and development of the concepts are being worked on. If a successful approach can be evaluated, the project will be continued in a larger development project between HUBER+SUHNER and the project partners.

EASY – Easy Assessment of SolubilitY

Oryl Photonics is developing a device that simplifies solubility measurement. We call it EASY – Easy Assessment of SolubilitY. EASY is based on a patented light-scattering solution that saves days of repetitive work, minimizes the use of compounds, chemicals and consumables at the same time, maximizes cost and time savings.

The Innovation Booster Photonics program helped Oryl Photonics by setting up the ideal collaboration matching the company’s needs and stage of development. With the help of the booster project, we improved together with our partners CSEM Neuchâtel and CSEM Landquart the optical, electronics and mechanical designs of the EASY Screener leading to increased throughput and improved device integrity.

The project helped us to identify exactly the problem that we needed to solve, thus, accelerating our prototype development. Moreover, this fruitful collaboration set the stage for bigger innovation-based projects that will help Oryl Photonics accelerate its market entry.

We are now industrializing the EASY screener and preparing for go-to-market activities.

Innovative solution for the optimal treatment of premature infants

Feinwerkoptik Zünd develops imaging and non-imaging photonic systems and produces miniaturized optical components as well as optoelectromechanical assemblies for medicine and technical applications.

In the project “Frühling”, a miniaturized photonic device is being developed and produced. This device will accurately measure the palate of premature infants and suggest the optimal treatment method for the premature infant to the pediatrician, thus improving the life of the premature infant. This novel approach offers an intelligent alternative to the current analysis method, which is extremely uncomfortable and painful and therefore has limited use.

Through the support of Innovation Booster Photonics (IB-P), the technological implementation possibilities were examined and a simple demonstrator was built in order to find out the enthusiasm of the users, to clarify the readiness for investments and to launch an Innosuisse project. In identifying potential market entrants, the project benefits from the support and broad network of IB-P experts.

Der Innovation Booster Photonics als wertvolles Angebot für die Fachhochschulen

Der Innovation Booster Photonics dient der Ostschweizer Fachhochschule OST als Schweizer Vernetzungsplattform, auf der wir Kontakt mit Industrievertretern der Photonikbranche finden und pflegen. Wir nutzen die Workshopangebote gerne, um Inputs über Marktentwicklungen und neue technologische Trends zu gewinnen. Daraus entwickeln sich häufig konkrete Fragestellungen, die wir mit Unterstützung des Innovation Boosters im Verbund mit anderen Forschungs- und Wirtschaftspartnern evaluieren und anschliessend zu erfolgreichen Innovationsprojekten führen können.

IB-P Microassembly Workshop brought together the right partners

The Innovation Booster Photonics (IB-P) Microassembly Workshop brought together exactly the right players from innovative photonics companies and solution providers for the microassembly of the necessary components. During the workshop, we were able to identify the most urgent needs regarding the robotic handling of micro-optical components. At No-Touch Robotics, we are looking forward to exploring novel automation concepts together with the application partners that we met during the workshop. This will be done within the scope of a potential IB-P project.

The Innovation Booster Photonics is a great and easy-to-use instrument to support collaborative Research and Development

The Innovation Booster Photonics helped Synova SA, together with industrial partners, to test a radically new production process for an essential component of our system. I can but strongly encourage all SMEs active in photonics to consider the Innovation Boosters should they have an interest in open innovation and a problem to solve!

Simplified hardware combined with innovative software instead of expensive hardware!

In the Innovation Booster Photonics project, we were looking for an affordable method for lighting designers to measure light immissions. Our idea to replace expensive calibrated optics and manual work by a simpler software algorithm and cheaper optics, turned out to be very promising. The response of our market research with potential customers showed high interest to try the solution. The next step will be to convince the market in the broadest sense of the efficiency of the new approach.

A novel machine-learning approach to stabilize a laser beam

For our Innovation Booster Photonics project, a multidisciplinary team with FHNW, Inspire/ETH Zürich, Paul Scherrer Institut PSI and TLD Photonics was formed to tackle the problem of lasers that suffer from long-term pointing instabilities due to environmental and other influences. We achieved fast and reliable optimization of the laser beam pointing and beam quality (asymmetry) using a bayesian optimization method from machine-learning. Besides the financial help, also the Innovation Booster Photonics workshop about AI in Photonics, helped us a lot to network and discuss personally with some key stakeholders from industry, to pursue a follow-up, larger scale industrial project and implement this technology in various aspects of laser alignment, production, and maintenance. We would be happy to hear from potentially interested parties!