The SAMI project aims to develop generic, cost-effective, eco-friendly ChronoMEMS sensors for various sectors, including transportation, construction, healthcare, and energy. These sensors function without external energy, tracking structural deformations to detect and record mechanical events. Inspired by the watchmaking industry, they use micrometric gear systems and other fundamental mechanical principles to operate.
This large-scale partnership, backed by a €6 million budget, aims to position Besançon at the forefront of smart sensor technology.
The European Union is contributing €4.3 million through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the FEDER-FSE+ Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Massif du Jura 2021-2027 programme, managed by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region.
SAMI uses ChronoMEMS technology developed by SilMach, which merges micromechanics with advanced manufacturing technologies to create autonomous smart sensors.
These sensors do not require a power source and operate by logging mechanical events like strain and deformation of structures. Currently, SilMach’s microsensors are used in the France 2030 SIRCAPASS project to monitor the structural integrity of bridges.
SilMach CEO Pierre-François Louvigné said, “SAMI is our pathway to conquering new industrial markets. Our energy-free sensors can communicate, paving the way for groundbreaking applications.”
SUPMICROTECH and the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur are also key participants, contributing through their joint laboratory, FEMTO-ST.
Pascal Vairac, SUPMICROTECH’s director, said: "SAMI demonstrates our vision of sustainable innovation, with our hybrid microsystems combining high performance with respect for the environment."
President of the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur Macha Woronoff said: "This project brings the synergy between academic research and industry to life, showcasing the French approach to innovation."
By 2030, tens of thousands of sensors will be produced annually in Besançon. This production is expected to contribute significantly to the region’s reindustrialisation efforts.
