Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SMILE (Scalable Structured Micro Illumination Light Engines)
Période du rapport: 2021-12-16 au 2023-06-15
The SMILE idea is based on the results of FET-Open “ChipScope”, which gave us unique technology skills in the processing of nanoLED arrays. In contrast to the ChipScope’s nanoLEDs for superresolution microscopy, larger SMILE microLEDs arrays can also be used for activating and manipulating chemical or biological reactions. With microLEDs, light intensities can be orders of magnitude higher. Larger dimensions enable hybrid integration with CMOS microelectronics, leading to a full scalability of the microLED platform in terms of number of pixels, intensity, switching speed, and cost in a mass-production situation. MicroLEDs can also be combined with existing colour converter technology, resulting in substantial flexibility concerning wavelength control. SMILE will develop microLED platforms giving access to an enormous variety of novel applications, when used as “Scalable Structured Micro-Illumination Light Engines” (SMILE). The approach is completely different to conventional structured illumination strategies used today. SMILE workplan includes GaN chip technology, CMOS design, chip-chip hybrid integration and system integration (housing and software). SMILE gives very high priority to market replication, preparing for discussions with future investors by the following approach: an “End-User Board” (EUB) of experts from various applications will discuss requirements to be met and perform SMILE test experiments. Therefore, SMILE prototypes will be made available to the EUB for testing and market validation in at least 5 different Pilot Applications (PA), which have already been chosen for analysing importance, relevance, and high market potential: (1) DNA chip fabrication; (2) Maskless photolithography; (3) Optogenetics; (4) High-throughput fluorescence microscopy; (5) Chip-based holographic microscopy. All PA are addressing quickly increasing markets. The direct participation of a dedicated start-up company secures the long-term exploitation of SMILE technology.
Along the first reporting period, partners achieved most of the results expected:
1) Quantitative models of the optical behavior of our tech are available and guiding us to optimized the SMILE prototypes.
2) GaN MicroLED arrays with expected requirements are available and ready for hybrid integration with the CMOS drivers.
3) A full-array CMOS driver has been designed and integreted in 1-to-1 with the challenging dimensions of the MicroLED array.
4) Promising results on hybrid GaN-CMOS are available, with multiple alternative technological paths on the table, to evaluate and find a viable solution.
5) Abundant feedback from the End Users has been gathered. It has steered the requirements and design of the first prototypes. A continuous interaction with them is stablished.
6) Demonstration of Pilot Applications has started with early prototypes. It is showing us many more potential commercial uses of the SMILE technology, that can serve to market even partial developments of the SMILE light engines.
7) Products emerging from the project technology are about to be introduced into the market, with a set of unique features that address needs from actual customers.
1) Quantitative models of the optical behavior of our tech are available and guiding us to optimized the SMILE prototypes.
2) GaN MicroLED arrays with expected requirements are available and ready for hybrid integration with the CMOS drivers.
3) A full-array CMOS driver has been designed and integreted in 1-to-1 with the challenging dimensions of the MicroLED array.
4) Promising results on hybrid GaN-CMOS are available, with multiple alternative technological paths on the table, to evaluate and find a viable solution.
5) Abundant feedback from the End Users has been gathered. It has steered the requirements and design of the first prototypes. A continuous interaction with them is stablished.
6) Demonstration of Pilot Applications has started with early prototypes. It is showing us many more potential commercial uses of the SMILE technology, that can serve to market even partial developments of the SMILE light engines.
7) Products emerging from the project technology are about to be introduced into the market, with a set of unique features that address needs from actual customers.
Until the end of the project, the project work will focus on the achievement of fully integrated, fully functional, fully featuring SMILE engines, soon enough to carry out demonstration work with the End Users in relation to the initial 5 Pilot Applications and others. With this, we expect to set the grounds for the commercialization of the next generation of SMILE-based products.