Cluster Report Photonics in the Capital Region Berlin-Brandenburg

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72 Cluster Report Optics and Photonics – Biomedical and Ophthalmic Optics SMI SensoMotoric Instruments, Gesellschaft für innovative Sensorik mbH also specialises in eye tracking. However, SMI focuses on remote applications, virtual reality, and multimodal research. Roland Consult Stasche & Finger GmbH, meanwhile, is a specialist in electrophysiology and imaging. The company’s instruments can be used to clarify eye diseases and vision problems, among other uses. Contact: Prof. Dr. Justus Eichstädt Spokesperson Focus Area Biomedical and Ophthalmic Optics Phone: +49 (0)3381 355380 E-mail: justus.eichstaedt@th-brandenburg.de www.smivision.com www.roland-consult.com ALCON Pharma GmbH (Novartis AG) offers a wide range of solutions for the treatment of eye diseases. Laser systems for eye surgery are developed and produced by its subsidiary WaveLight GmbH. Special diagnostic systems and innovative eye tracking solutions are among the competencies of the company’s location in Teltow. www.alcon.com www.wavelight.de/en OD-OS GmbH is specialised in retinal lasers with its Navilas laser system. The system provides laser photocoagulation to cover treatments for the entire spectrum of retinal diseases, from diabetic macular edema to the treatment of retinal tears and holes. Australian company Ellex Deutschland GmbH (with a branch in Adlershof) also offers laser systems for the treatment of a variety of eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal diseases. www.od-os.com www.ellex.com

Cluster Report Optics and Photonics – Research & Industry | Microsystems Technology 73 2.6 Microsystems Technology – the Backbone of Innovations “Only few industries have developed as rapidly as microsystems technology in recent years. High-performance miniaturised electronics have triggered the digital revolution and opened up new fields of application in sensor technology. With innovative, energy-efficient, and cost-effective products made in Berlin Brandenburg, we are pushing national and international developments in automotive, medical, and communications technology.” Peter Krause | Spokesperson Focus Area Microsystems Technology, First Sensor AG When we think today about the next steps in industrial development, terms such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, cyber physical systems, and Smart-X pepper are discussed in Germany. All approaches are based on the idea of using sensors and actuators to connect the real, physical world with the virtual, in which software-based data processing and information storage take place. Microsystems technology is providing the essential building blocks for these developments. Through distributed and networked process controls, data acquisition and processing, completely new concepts for the collection, provision, and evaluation of machine, process, or service data are possible. The McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) has said that the so-called Internet of Things, i.e. the intelligent networking of devices and machines via the Internet, might create as much as 11 trillion euros in added value to the global economy by 2025. PricewaterhouseCoopers agrees with this assertion and sees an economic potential of 3.4 trillion euros in production alone through Industry 4.0 applications, as a result of higher productivity, greater energy efficiency, and more secure jobs. The industry association BITKOM does not agree with the assessment in every respect, but nevertheless a trend toward massive technological change is accepted. Such considerations often neglect where the data comes from and how it is fed into the network and preprocessed. Usually, there is an implicit understanding that miniaturised, multifunctional, and autonomously operating electronic systems will process these data. As “smart systems” they will also have an effect on the systems they control. Because only these are able to produce the necessary interface (hardware and software) between the physical and digital worlds. For this to be possible, electronics and microsystems technology products must be extremely versatile and miniaturised as well as robust and durable. There is another new aspect: future electronics will increasingly be integrated into application systems. The time of separate, retrofitted components is being replaced by fully integrated electronics adapted to the application system. This complete integration into the receiving system combined with extended functionality, extreme miniaturisation, robustness, and longevity is making electronic systems even more complex to design. What is now required are integration technologies that can cope with the constantly increasing requirements in terms of smallest sizes, low power dissipation, large frequency ranges, high reliability at low production costs, and even when production runs only moderate. Berlin Brandenburg, home to so many high-quality, relevant institutions and companies at all stages of the value chain, are an ideal location for such developments. From research to system integrator A close cooperation of all partners from the different technical fields using the surrounding research infrastructure is indispensable for such innovations. Berlin Brandenburg offer excellent conditions for this to happen. With the technical universities of applied sciences in Berlin, Wildau and Cottbus-Senftenberg, the strong computer science programmes at FU Berlin, HU Berlin, and the University of Potsdam, plus the internationally recognised, non-university institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Leibniz Association, and BAM, the region is home to an almost unique density of quality and quantity. On the industrial side, Berlin Brandenburg are internationally renowned for the development and manufacture of components such as sensors, actuators, and the associated signal processing. The international reputation is constantly strengthened by the activities of such companies as First Sensor, Pepperl + Fuchs, EPCOS, and the Baumer Group. The region has traditionally been strong in system integrators, i.e. companies that integrate sensors and actuators into a single measuring system.