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As a collaborative, world-class Center of Excellence in photonics and microsystems, Infotonics develops and prototypes microsystems concepts at our comprehensive in-house design, microfabrication and device packaging facility. Accelerating microsystems commercialization, we provide complete solutions for product development, reducing financial risk & expense often associated with the development process and increasing the probability of commercial success.

Design and Simulation
The performance of MEMS, optical, and microfluidic devices is intimately related to the ability to model devices, packages, and processes. Infotonics, through its collaborative partners, has an extensive capability in design and simulation including software for modeling the mechanical, optical, thermal, and fluidic performance of device designs. Additionally packaging designs can be modeled for optical alignment tolerances and thermal and mechanical stresses, all of which can impact device performance.

IntelliSense Software--Boston-based industry leader in providing design tools for MEMS (microelectro-mechanical systems) and Infotonics have a strategic alliance that provide our small business participants with access to the robust design and modeling IntelliSuite software package that is resident at the Center. Computer Aided Layout and design checking is available for both devices and packages. Although in-house photomask writing is not planned, photomask designs can be ordered through the Center and delivered to the wafer fab. Simulation includes device modeling, package modeling, process modeling, optical, thermal, mechanical, electromechanical, and fluidic. Expertise and in-house laboratory resources are available from Xerox and Eastman Kodak to supplement Infotonics' capabilities. Such software packages available include Ansys, Coventor, and optical modeling/simulation programs.

Microfabrication
Its microsystems fabrication facility is housed in a 23,000 sq. ft. cleanroom with over 10,000 sq. ft. Class 100. This flexible wafer fab supports a wide variety of microsystems, micro-optic, and planar optics processes on 150 mm substrates; including silicon, silicon-on-insulator, and quartz and glass. The facility, operated under formal manufacturing protocols, contains over $40 million in Microsystems fabrication capability. The Center also maintains a comprehensive optical metrology capability and general quality control tools including a high resolution scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy.

Device Packaging
With the costs of packaging ranging from 30 to 95% of the final cost device, it is important to get expert assistance with MEMS and MOEMS packaging early in the development cycle. Infotonics has extensive electronic and optoelectronic packaging assembly capabilities to provide the proper working environment and critical interfaces between a device and the external world. Including technologies like planar optic packaging, optical fiber pig tailing and alignment, silicon optical bench, free space optical, electro-optic, microfluidic, and electronic, the packaging facility utilizes such tools and processes as microassembly, wafer/singulation, adhesive dispensing, die placement, fiber attach, interconnect, optical fiber alignment, and package sealing to meet your packaging needs. Infotonics leverages the strengths of its university partners through strategic alliances such as the one with Binghamton University's IEEC for enhanced packaging concept development, reliability and simulations. Also available is use of Eastman Kodak's extensive packaging capability. This experience with the design and development of precision adhesive dispensing and die placement tooling for a wide range of electro-optic devices will be applied to the assembly of the microneedle arrays and allergen package subsystems.

Test/Metrology
The goal of clean room activity at the Infotonics Technology Center is to run the most efficient possible processes and generate the greatest possible device yields. To this end, a full complement of in-line metrology equipment monitors all the thin film parameters that affect performance: thickness, index of refraction, resistivity, permittivity, stress, composition, etc. In addition, a facility with general optical and electrical testing capabilities is used in early stage device characterization and to develop more device-specific tests. Additional test and metrology capabilities at Infotonics' strategic partners and members are available at reduced or no cost to small businesses participating in their small business assistance program.

Business Building
Infotonics Economic Development Center's small business assistance program is designed to stimulate new business formation and promote economic development through the growth of existing small businesses in the region. It provides:


  • A unique business creation capability that can enable the commercialization of Center- and partner-related technologies that have market opportunities appropriate for entrepreneurial action.
  • Business growth support mechanisms that help technology entrepreneurs maximize their probability for success including business planning, entrepreneurial coaching and training, commercialization assistance, connections to key funding mechanisms and resources, and professional finance, human resources, and strategic marketing expertise;
  • Technical support to assist small businesses in the design of their products so that manufacturing and photonic packaging become a seamless process following research and development.

Access to Key Universities and Hospitals
Infotonics draws support from the research expertise of its partner educational institutions including several with excellent medical facilities such as Columbia University, University of Buffalo, and the University of Rochester. These partnerships provide access not only to excellent faculty and medical professionals but also provide a pipeline of graduate and undergraduate students who are available to work on projects associated with Infotonics and its customers.

CONTACT:
Glenn Fricano, VP Sales and Marketing
Infotonics Technology Center
5450 Campus Drive
Canandaigua, New York 14424
Ph: (585) 919-3000
Cell: (631) 834-5065
Email:
glenn.fricano@infotonics.org
Website:
www.infotonics.org