Institut für Werkstoffe der Elektrotechnik 1 (IWE 1)

IWE1, RWTH Aachen

The RWTH-Aachen University is characterized by its strength in science and engineering education. It also provides a wide range of subjects in Economics, Arts and Humanities and Medicine with an emphasis on intensive interaction between all disciplines. The focus on interdisciplinarity in research and teaching is a direct response to the demands placed on future young professionals. About 30000 students are enrolled. RWTH University has co-operations with many universities and research centers throughout the world. Every year, a great number of international students and scientists visit RWTH Aachen University to study and research at a high standard recognized on an international level.

The Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1 (IWE 1) is member of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at RWTH Aachen University and has a long tradition in fabrication and development of micro systems. Our main focus is on the coupling of biological systems to technical systems. This includes the realization of flexible medical implants with wireless communication placed inside the human body for patient monitoring or for influencing body functions. The nature of this field requires on open mind to many different aspects encountered during the development and production of such systems. Therefore we find ourselves in an interdisciplinary environment where surgeons, pathologists, physicists, biologists, chemists, material scientists and engineers are working together to realize complex projects like implantable intravascular, bladder or intra-ocular pressure sensors or the retina stimulator. Due to our technological experience and to our technological equipment in a 400 m2 cleanroom we are an excellent partner in the development of innovative high-tech micro systems.

IWE 1 has now nearly 13 years of experience in the field of microsystems technologies. Here the institute focuses on thin film technologies based on different substrate materials. Besides the standard thin film technologies there is experience in micro electro plating, micro machining, micro fluidics and micro assembly techniques.