CMEMS is a research center focused on the design, modeling, simulation, integration and fabrication of microsystems targeting preferentially biomedical devices. The organization of the center, supported by a laboratories in diferent areas, reflects the high level laboratory intensity of the center.
Research at CMEMS includes several activities, all with special requirements in terms of laboratory use.
Clean Room Facilities
CMEMS-UMinho has a new cleanroom laboratory. The Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility with 130 m2 of cleanroom classified area (controlled temperature, pressure, humidity and a scrubber system) with process and measurement tools providing a broad platform for the development and testing of new ideas in micro and nano technology.
A wide variety of metal and insulating thin films can be deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition – ALD with real-time ellipsometer included (for thermal and plasma processing), Sputtering (DC, RF), Evaporation and E-beam.
The Laboratory has a reactive ion etching plasma system – RIE (dry etching) and a bulk-micromachining system for wet chemical etching. Thermal Processing is possible for Si wafers up to 150 mm in diameter, oxidation, drive-in, and annealing.
Lithography area is equipped with: an wet-bench (with spin-coating), Direct-Writing-Laser uMLA Heidelberg (600 nm resolution), Mask Aligner Karl Suss and vertical clean cabin class 100.
Characterization area is equipped with: a Nikon L200 Microscope with filtering, Ellipsometer, Profilometer, Eletrochemical-Gamry system and glove camera.
Now, particular focus is being laid on attaining high yield on structures smaller than 25 nm. With research and development in nanotechnology booming, this new process line positions CMEMS-UMinho to continue to be innovative for years to come. The Laboratory is also a member of Micro&Nanofabs@PT, the Portuguese Research Infrastructure for Micro and Nano Fabrication, www.micronanofabs.inl.int and of the European network EURONANOLAB.
Hybrid 3D printing laboratory (additive+subtractive)
The Hybrid 3D printing laboratory includes two main areas: Laser processing; and Sonoprocessing
The laser processing laboratory deals with innovative hybrid laser processes that include: additive; subtractive; thermal Treatments; and Thermal-Chemical treatments; while processing the same component. The processes may actuate simultaneously, sequentially, or in different sequential manufacturing designs. The main goal is to develop bio-inspired multi-material and multi-functional components with controlled gradations between dissimilar materials. The component is constituted by different materials located in specific places, to have a specific function. The materials used range from metals, ceramics, and polymers, in a powder state, and include ‘smart materials’ as piezo-electric, shape memory alloys, among other.
The laboratory possesses eight lasers with different wavelengths (CO2, YAG, Fiber, …) and power (6W to 250W) and home developed hardware and software. More than 15 projects were developed for different solutions of multi-material and multi-functional components such as compression piston rings, jewelry components, cutlery, dental implants, cutting tools, medical plates, rocket engines, among other, half of the project with industrial companies. The laboratory cooperates with Companies (Mahle, Palbit, Extremater, EQS, …) and Universities (Twente, Lyon, Helsinky, Mississippi, Chicago, Florianópolis, …), and other Institutes (Fraunhofer Augusburg, ESA, …), in four continents.
The Laboratory of Sonoprocessing and Foundry is at the forefront of innovative, multidisciplinary research and education. Our focus is on developing ultrasonic-based systems for processing metallic materials, covering three key engineering areas: Foundry, Welding (bonding materials in liquid or solid states), and Additive Manufacturing, with a special emphasis on Hybrid 3D Printing.
Our research is not just theoretical- it’s geared towards projects with high socio-economic impact. We aim to establish strong industry partnerships and integrate research and education to develop practical, value-added solutions. Specifically, we’re working on creating hybrid manufacturing processes that combine liquid materials with ultrasonic technologies, blending traditional and modern methods to produce innovative systems and products.
The knowledge generated is transferred to doctoral programs to educate a new cohort of researchers and engineers focusing on problem-based learning.
The lab has advanced systems, including Ultrasonic systems, Piezoelectric Transducers, Frequency Generators, TRZ Analyzers, resistance and induction melting furnaces for macro and micro casting, and resistance and arc welding equipment. These tools enable Hybrid 3D Printing manufacturing, allowing for the combination of different materials in liquid states and ultrasonic technologies to create systems and parts with improved properties and greater structural complexity.
More recently, the new strategic project merges the competences of laser printing with sono processing to achieve improved materials features including metallurgical, mechanical, and fatigue performance, among other.
Mechanics of Materials Characterization Lab
The materials testing laboratory performs a variety of tests and analyzes to evaluate the properties and performance of different materials. This laboratory is prepared to carry out tests for various industries, including construction, automotive, aerospace, medical and manufacturing. The main functions of this laboratory include mechanical tests, such as tensile, compression and flexion tests to measure the strength, elasticity and ductility of materials, in addition to impact tests, such as Charpy and Izod, to evaluate toughness, and fatigue and fracture tests. . Performance tests are also carried out, which simulate real conditions of use to check how the material behaves in specific situations. The laboratory is equipped to carry out non-standard mechanical tests and has the capacity to develop specific characterization equipment. Furthermore, it is equipped with a test bench for multipoint loading and has an extensometer system with more than 80 channels, as well as digital correlation for analyzing the stress field. The laboratory also has the capacity to perform acoustic and vibrational characterization, being equipped with a variety of instruments and an anechoic chamber for testing in a controlled environment.
Micro-Fabrication and Systems Integration Laboratory
The Micro-Fabrication and Systems Integration Laboratory aims at the fabrication at the micro and sub-micro scales of components and surfaces. It includes mechanical processing, mainly milling, and laser processing, as subtractive processes. Micro casting and surface technologies such as plasma spraying, thermal spraying, electro-static coatings, PVD coatings, among other surface technologies are used.
The laboratory aims at the development of innovative functional surfaces and special structures such as cellular structures. Smart materials as PVDF, BaTiO3, NiTi, among other smart materials are used. The main goal is to develop bio-inspired multi-material and multi-functional micrometric structures and surfaces, with multifunctionality and controlled material gradations between dissimilar materials. The surface and microstructure is constituted by different materials located in specific places, to have a specific function. The materials used range from metals, ceramics, and polymers, in a powder state, and include ‘smart materials’ as piezo-electric, shape memory alloys, among other.
The laboratory possesses eight lasers with different wavelengths (CO2, YAG, Fiber, …) and power (6W to 250W) and home developed hardware and softwares. Possesses also 6 milling machines for micromachining, a microcasting equipment for lost wax micro casting, among some other surface technologies. More than 10 projects were developed for different solutions of multi-material and multi-functional components such as compression piston rings, jewelry components, cutlery, dental implants, dental crowns for Hypomineralized teeth, cutting tools, medical plates, rocket engines, among other, half of the project with industrial companies. The laboratory cooperates with Companies (Mahle, Palbit, Extremater, EQS, …) and Universities (Twente, Lyon, Helsinky, Mississippi, Chicago, Florianópolis, …), and other Institutes (Fraunhofer Augusburg, ESA, …), in four continents.
Mechanobiology Laboratory
The laboratory of mechanobiology is divided in two main branches: Health, and Plants.
The laboratory of mechanobiology is focused on the study of how mechanical stimuli (forces/deformations, temperature, electricity, light, vibrations, ultra-sounds, …) may influence and interact with biological processes of animals and plant growth including bacteria, fungus and yeast. The primary functions of the laboratory includes: Understanding how cells, tissues, and plants respond to mechanical stimuli; Mechanotransduction: Studying the molecular mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to mechanical signals; mechanics: Investigating the mechanical properties of biological materials and plants, such as their stiffness, elasticity, and viscoelasticity.
The lab designed and developed different bioreactors that apply controlled mechanical stimuli to cells, tissues, bacteria, fungus, etc. It is also a vision of the lab to use mechanical stimuli to replace drugs in animals and agro-toxics in plants.
Overall, a mechanobiology laboratory integrates principles from biology, physics, engineering, and computational science to advance our understanding of how mechanical forces influence biological systems and to develop new technologies and therapies based on this knowledge. The laboratory, although very recent, created in 2021, already lead some projects in dental area, knee, column, brain, hip, and in vineyards, with national and EU2030 projects of more than 2M€ and about 30 partners, universities and companies, from all over the world.
Computational Design, Modeling and Simulation Lab
The Computational Design, Modeling and Simulation Lab (CDMSLab) is dedicated to the computational design, modeling and simulation of biomechanical systems, medical devices and systems to assist in medical diagnostic, rehabilitation and health care. This lab addresses issues related to the prediction of medical devices interaction with human body.
Applied Devices and Instrumentation Lab.
The fabricated microdevices need extensive characterization, both at device (performed at Materials/Components Characterization Lab. – MCCLab) and application level (using the Applied Devices and Instrumentation Lab. – ADILab).
Characterization of microdevices is the type of activity that requires the use of advanced equipment and due to microsystems complexity, the characterization is also an intensive laboratory activity.
