Precend brings together public and private stakeholders with Non destructive testing (NDT) & Structural health monitoring (SHM) expertise, equipments or needs.

The cluster regroups many expertise centers: technical centers, equipment suppliers, laboratories, providers and manufacturers from various business sectors (automotive, composites, rail, marine, aerospace, steelworkers...)

The cluster's missions are

1) support companies in their projects:

proof of concept and lab testing
feasibility or comparative testing
technical assistance, product validation
expertise
custom prototypes developments

2) animate and promote the skills of the cluster's member:

technical workshops
publications
intelligence newsletter,..

The 3 mains points to remember are

neutrality and impartiality in the technical choices for the projects
personalized and adapter response for each demand
response based on a network of experts for a better access to technology expertise and… With PRECEND members, you can access all confirmed and innovative technologies in SHM and NDT :

Ultrasonic testing, Tofd, Phased-Array
Penetrant testing
Magnetic testing
Radiographic testing
Computed tomography
Instrumentation
Eddy testing
Acoustic emission
Leak testing
Infrared thermography
Optic fiber
SHM
Sensors
Laser
numerical modeling and simulation

Some of our members also have other skills: analysis and characterization of materials, simulation and thermal properties, robotics, surface preparation and treatment ...
. 1) support companies in their projects:

proof of concept and lab testing
feasibility or comparative testing
technical assistance, product validation
expertise
custom prototypes developments

2) animate and promote the skills of the cluster's member:

technical workshops
publications
intelligence newsletter,..

. Yes. service.

The Fraunhofer IPMS with its 300 employees is dedicated to applied research and development at the highest international level in the fields of photonic microsystems, microsystems technologies, nanoelectronic technologies and wireless microsystems.Innovative processes and products which are based upon our various technologies can be found in all  large markets – such as information and communication technologies, consumer products, automobile technology, semi-conductor technology, measurement and medical technology. More than 50 percent of our annual operating expense of 35 million euros is financed by direct commissions from industry. Regarding micromechanical and photonic microsystems we offer complete solutions: From conception to component right up to complete systems. This includes sample and pilot production in our 1500 m² (15,000 ft²) clean room (ISO 14644-1 class 4) with qualified processes. In order to meet the challenging demands of our customers, our institute is certified according to the… The Fraunhofer IPMS operates a 15,000 square foot clean room for all customer technology development requirements, as well as pilot fabrication. Our MEMS and CMOS facility is rated at Class 4 according to ISO 14644-1 and Class 10 according to U.S. Standard 209E. We at Fraunhofer IPMS are open for a wide variety of cooperation models from complete research and development over direct customer use of our infrastructure and facilities, to foundry services for individual process steps, entire process modules, or complete pilot production projects. The clean room was planned and constructed according to the latest industry standards. With the extension of our process technology to the 200 mm wafer standard in the fourth quarter of 2015, we are able to create the conditions necessary to remain an attractive R & D service provider for More-than-Moore technologies.

The business unit CNT has its own infrastructure for process and material development on 300 mm wafers at its site at Königsbrücker Straße. The…. Fraunhofer IPMS offers its customers comprehensive services for the development of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and micro-opto-electromechanical systems (MOEMS) on 150 mm / 200 mm wafers. These services range from technology feasibility studies to process development all the way to complete fabrication processes including in-line process monitoring, post-process electrical characterization, and full process and device qualification. If desired, we will drive a process and device development through to pilot production in our own facility, or transfer the technology to another facility designated by the customer. Besides the development and production of complete MEMS technologies, we provide foundry services for individual process steps as well as technology modules. We are able to offer these comprehensive services because of our deep technological expertise in the fields of surface and bulk micromachining. In addition, we have considerable experience combining these MEMS technologies with more…. Yes. service.

MEMS technology; IC technology; Micro and sensor technology; Optical radiation detectors; Microfluidic and bio-functionalized devices; Photonic materials and devices; Nanomaterials; Coating deposition; PV cells; Molecular diagnostics; Energy materials; Analytical characterization. 6 inchs micofabbrication area: 700 sqm ISO 4-5, full CMOS pilot line, DRIE, wafer bonder electroplating bulk micromachining, ISO 9001 certificated
Testing area 200 sqm: electrical testing, optical testing, PV cells efficiency
Integration and packaging area 60 sqm: micro assembly , screen printing; bonding, pull and share test
PECVD deposition equipment; ALD deposition equipment;
Biology Laboratory 600 sqm: Molecular and cell biology area, Optical spectroscopy area, Microscopy areas, Sequencing facility, Electrophysiology area, Chemical and biochemical area
Analytical facility: Mass spectrometry; Spectroscopy; Microscopy.
. Scientific & technological support - Study / initial design / Simulation - Proof of concept / Lab testing of basic experimental set-up- Material Characterization- Component/process development & testing – Prototype / demonstrator realization – Pilot line / demonstration line / preseries - Customized production – Biological testing - DNA-RNA deep sequencing (NGS) - Project elaboration support – In house courses. Yes. service.

AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) is a Science Foundation Ireland funded centre, that provides a partnership between leading researchers in materials science and industry. We are researching materials that will transform everyday products of the future, from mobile phones to knee implants, batteries to beer bottles. AMBER links industry to research programs. The  aim of the centre is to develop products that directly impact citizen’s quality of life, such as the development of next generation computer chips and new medical implants and pharmaceuticals that will improve patient care.

AMBER is jointly hosted in Trinity College Dublin by CRANN and the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering, in collaboration with University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. AMBER brings together Ireland’s leading material science researchers working across the disciplines of Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering and Medicine; with an international network of collaborators and companies.
… The Advanced Microscopy Lab [http://ambercentre.ie/facilities/#aml] houses a critical mass of high end charged particle microscopes for imaging, characterization and nano-fabrication.

The AML contains a suite of instruments that covers the entire resolution range from transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopies, with spatial resolution up to the atomic scale, to scanning electron and ion beam microscopes for surface imaging and analysis. Many of these microscopy techniques not only support analysis but also can be used for fabrication purposes in the nanoscale range. All of these techniques are managed by a dedicated team of highly trained staff with many years of academic and industrial experience, who can advise on the most appropriate method. Additional metrology, such as XPS, FTIR, and AFM is available.

The equipment suite includes the aberration corrected, atomic resolution, Nion UltraSTEM200 microscope, which was funded by Science Foundation…. We offer the opportunity to collaborate on large scale materials challenges, nationally or internationally [http://ambercentre.ie/engagement/#engagement-overview].
. Yes. service.

The Télécom & Société numérique Carnot Institute (Carnot TSN) is France’s premier Carnot Institute dedicated to information and communication sciences and technologies at a national level. It offers cutting-edge research and integrated solutions to the complex technological issues that have emerged in the ongoing digital, energy, environmental and industrial revolutions:

Communication and data processing networks and systems,
Strong interactions between interfaces and contents,
Critical role of communication in the development of uses.

We are focused on the technical, economic and social consequences of these revolutions, especially regarding IoT, networks & media of the future, uses and services, autonomy and health, environment sustainability and global security.

Areas of expertises

Physics / Design / Economics /  Networks /  Digital & analog communications / Computer science / Cognitive sciences / Electronics / Images & signal processing /  Data processing / Applied… More than 50 technology platforms. 6 chosen platforms

In the domain of data processing for observation of the environment:

SERTIT, Service Régional de Traitement d’Image et de Télédétection – Télécom Physique Strasbourg
OSE, Observation et Surveillance de l’Environnement, Vigisat (sea and land observation) and TASM (digital communication via acoustic underwater links) – IMT Atlantique

In the domain of fixed and mobile networks:

OpenAir, open source hardware/software for wireless connections – Eurecom
EUROP, fixed networks and very high speed communication, Télécom Saint-Etienne

In the domain of data and services:

Teralab, big data and cloud computing – IMT

In the domain of optics and components:

•    Arago, technology platform for fiber optic communication, components (clean room), optics and optoelectronics and 3D imaging – IMT Atlantique
. 1)  Research

Collaborative research within framework programs (ANR, H2020…)
Fondation Télécom program for public interest research
Foresight & Think Tanks

2) Operational research

Targeted collaborative research (FUI, Régions…)
Industrial research Chairs & joint labs
Research, consultancy & assessment contracts
Access to research platforms

3) Innovation

Access to test & simulation platforms
Support for innovative projects
Technology transfer (patent assignment, licensing)
Support for standardization
Incubation & support for entrepreneurship

4) Training

Integrated basic training (internships, joint projects)
Continuing & custom training, MOOCs

. Yes. service.

AIJU research centre is a private, non-profit making organisation aiming to boost research, development and technological innovation to give solutions to societal and industrial challenges, thus enabling the achievement of a constant competitiveness increase and product quality improvement among industry.

AIJU's research activities are focused on:
•    Product development and additive manufacturing
•    Advanced Materials
•    Manufacturing processes and robotics
•    Energy (Fuel Cells and Hydrogen, Ultracapacitors)
•    Environment
•    ICT, simulation and virtualisation
· Instrumentation and chemical/Physical safety
· Materials testing
· Energy
· Industrial environment
· Calibration
· Rapid prototyping plant
· Pilot plant for plastic transformation processes
· Training classrooms
· Advanced Manufactuging and 3D printing equipment :
    - Two commercial laser sintering equipment: Sintersation 2500 and 2500 plus, apart from the laboratory     equipment of LS developed at the Center.
    - Two 3D printers Polyjet (Objet and Alaris)
    - Two small FDM machines (Ultimaker and Wittbox)
    - Vacuum casting technology for printing short series.
    - Hardware and software for the treatment of STL files (Magics RP, Rapidform 2004) and performing CAD designs     (Unigraphics NX, Rapidform XOS XOR2 and, Freeform).
.     ADVANCED MANUFACTURING  
    INTEGRATED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - PROTOTYPING
    PLASTICS PROCESSING
    PROCESS REENGINEERING
    CALIBRATION EQUIPMENT
    INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS
    ICT AND DIGITAL APPLICATIONS
    ADVANCED MATERIALS
    INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS
    IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PLASTICS
    MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
    ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESSES
    PRODUCT SAFETY
    TRAINING
    R&D+I SERVICES
. Yes. service.

The Institute of Photonic Technologies (LPT) is an institute of the department of mechanical engineering at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg. We are developing and optimizing processes that use light as a tool for different tasks. We are not only working on laser-based manufacturing technologies like laser beam cutting or welding but apply light as well in medical diagnostics and therapeutics, for example for the detection and treatment of cancerous tissue. Ultrashort pulse laser technologies are a focus of our research activities. Laser pulses as short as pico- and femtoseconds bear great potentials in material processing on a microscopic or even nanoscopic scale. We strive towards clearing the path for ultrashort pulse laser to industrial application and thus to realize efficient processes with extremely high precision. Furthermore, we are developing capable simulation methods which contribute to an in-depth understanding of laser based manufacturing processes. Our models enable the…

Several laboratories are available to the LPT  and span the whole range from ultrashort nano-machining to macro-scale
high-power remote laser processing. Within the labs following lasers are available:
• Several multi-kW cw disk lasers
• Single mode fiber laser at kW power
• Excimer laser
• Several additive manufacturing machines (for both metal and polymers).
• Several diode lasers for brazing, soldering and polymer welding applications.
• Several ultra short pulsed lasers reaching from 100 fs up to pico- and nanoseconds pulse duration.

For all the mentioned laser systems appropriate system technology and measurement equipment is in place (scanners, F-Theta lenses, focusing objectives, multi-axis linear tables, beam profile cameras, wavefront sensors, power meters etc.). In addition, the LPT has access to a broad range of diagnostic tools, including:
• SEM (Zeiss Merlin)
• Several high-speed cameras with up to 400 kHz acquisition rate
• Laser scanning microscope
• Micro hardness analyzer….

The aim of the Institute of Photonic Technologies is to establish a link between scientific progress and industrial application in the field of photonics and laser technology. Topics with academic and technological relevance are emphasized so that e.g. production and medicine may benefit from our achievements.
Our current research focuses on:

Simulation & Modeling
Sensing, Control & Real-time Systems
Ultrashort Pulse Laser Technologies
Photonics in Medical Engineering
Additive Manufacturing

. Yes. service.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA develops, tests and implements components, devices and methods, up to entire machines and manufacturing plants. The nearly 1 000 employees in 15 departments are coordinated via six business units, which together conduct interdisciplinary innovation projects with automotive, machinery and equipment industry, electronics and microsystems, energy, medical engineering and biotechnology as well as process industry.

Fraunhofer IPA supports the regional industry to successfully operate in a global competitive environment. The research focus is on the cost-effective production of sustainable and personalised products. We are putting this ethos into practice together with our partners in the framework of flagship projects such as the ultra-efficient factory, FastStorageBW, the Center Lightweight Engineering, and the Center Smart Materials. Customised products in batch size 1 at mass manufacturing cost become a reality. The factory of the… Facilities and equipment:

Industrial-scale facilities and laboratories for equipment and process development, image processing, 3D visualisation, nanomodified materials etc.
Test facilities for construction of automation systems, robots, testing of assembly and machining processes
Application Centre Industrie 4.0
Future Work Lab
nICLAS innovation centre for laboratory automation
Centre for Ultraclean Technology and Micromanufacturing (cleanrooms, cleanliness measurement and certification etc.)
Surface enginering facility for coating technology, plating technology, electrochemical and gas-phase deposition etc.

.
Components / breadboard / process development & testing
Manufacturing pilot lines / demonstration lines
Proof of concept / lab testing of basic experimental set-up/ characterisation
Prototyping (integrated system/ sub-system) development & testing
Scientific & technological studies / designs / simulations
Vocational training in all aspects of manufacturing industries
Production optimisation

. Yes. service.

National Open Access Scientific Center for Future Energy Technologies was established at Lithuanian Energy Institute on 8thof March 2013. The Open Access Center – is a functional subdivision of the Lithuanian energy institute, which operates on the principles of open access for external as well as internal customers and providing scientific research and experimental services by employing scientific investigative and experimental development infrastructure(see, http://apc.lei.lt/en/about-us/rules-and-procedures).

1. Usage of physical technologies (magnetron sputtering, e-beam evaporation, PIII and other plasma based processes) for the synthesis of thin films and modification of surface properties.

2. Hydrogen production from water, employing plasma activated Al and Mg metals(or their alloys). The technology is patented (Lithuanian Patent No. LT5983) and currently under commercialization.

3. Oxide based functional thin films deposition on polystyrene grains and expanded polystyrene  foam sheet…
Wind noise measurement equipment
Wind and other atmospheric physical parameters’ measurement equipment
Meteorological tower
ArcView 10 software
WindPro software
Fuel calorimeter
The device for very small air (gas) flow measurements
Particle Image Velocimetry 2D PIV system
Laboratory flue gas analyser system (CO, CO2, NOx, SO2, O2, CiHj concentration)
Fuel elements analyzer Flash
Non-invasive ultrasonic water flow meter
Precision scales set
Mini thermo-anemometer
Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer
Test equipment for determination ash content and volatile fractions
Portable combustion products (NO/NO2, CO, CO2, SO2, H2O, CiHj, O2) analyzer
Portable laser flow meter
Thermovisor heat flow visualization and measurement
Gas calorimeter
High-speed video camera with a laser light source / optical equipment laser light beam to manage(PIV system for micro flow analysis using particle imaging method)
Air humidity calibrator
Analytical equipment for….

Scientific divisions » Possibilities for Business

1. The analysis of the thermal processes taking place in the smart metering, accounting and monitoring equipment, their components and systems and the assessment of the opportunities to improve them.
2. The development of the methodology for heat and electricity efficiency evaluation of the objects (buildings and their equipment).
3. The testing of efficiency and adaptability of Venturi type condensate valves while changing the pressure of the steam and condensate flow in the steam lines and thermal equipment.
4. The analysis of thermal / hydraulic process ongoing in the energy and industrial facilities and their systems. The scientific research of operational and emergency processes in the energy and industrial facilities and their systems.
5. The safety analysis of energy and industrial facilities and their systems. The preparation of safety evaluation fundamentals for energy and industrial facilities and…. Yes. service.

AlgoSolis is a public facility that develops and optimizes new technologies for microalgal biomass production and biorefining.

AlgoSolis has been designed to address R&D issues related to the setting of a mass-scale, controlled and efficient exploitation of microalgae. AlgoSolis incorporates the latest innovations in the field, thanks to the work of GEPEA laboratory (www.gepea.fr) and its partners. This includes several breakthrough processes like intensified photobioreactors and wet-biomass biorefining, strains of industrial interest, optimizes procedures for culture media recycling and microalgae culture on industrial effluent.

AlgoSolis is belonging to the University of Nantes and CNRS (UMS CNRS). AlgoSolis has integrated the EERA Bioenergy consortium (http://eera-bioenergy.eu/), as a facility enabling R&D effort at pre-industrial scale for biofuel production from microalgae. 
AlgoSolis infrastructure

1500m² of biomass production area (350m² in thermoregulated greenhouse) with over 20 independent lines of cultivation
Downstream processing R&D unit (240m²)
Rooms for microalgae pre-culture and laboratory for analysis (100m²)

AlgoSolis main features

20 lines of biomass production equipped with various PBR technologies including newly patented technologies (CNRS-GEPEA)
Fully equipped downstream processing R&D unit (Evodos harvesting processes, membrane filtration, processes for cell disruption and metabolites extraction/fractioning)
All production-downstream processing units can be used individually or be connected to set a complete exploitation process
Global supervision and automation of the complete facility
Possibility of medium recycling implantation

. AlgoSolis offers a complete infrastructure including culture and analysis rooms, biomass production areas (thermo-regulated greenhouse, outdoor area), downstream processing unit for algal biomass harvesting and biorefining. The infrastructure of AlgoSolis allows the individual development of units to validate and optimize their performance, or the study their integration into an overall process from the production of biomass to the extraction of molecules of interest.

AlgoSolis enables (1) investigations in representative conditions of industrial applications of microalgae (outdoor production, large-scale, waste treatments) and (2) integration of technological bricks defining an industrial exploitation of microalgae. AlgoSolis integrates state-of-the-art and breakthrough technologies for microalgae culture and for algo-refinery. This includes several breakthrough processes like intensified photobioreactors and wet-biomass biorefining, strains of industrial interest, optimizes procedures for culture media…. Yes. service.