With PolyChrome Berlin a hybrid, photonic integration platform is being developed with which a variety of novel applications in the fields of sensor technology and analytics can be realized in a cost-effective and compact way.

The Berlin Research Alliance develops optical mini chips made of plastic. Their combination with new waveguides made of silicon nitride is now to open up completely new applications for light in analysis and sensor technology.

The basis for this is provided by the development of a wide wavelength range from 400nm to 1650nm and the interaction of polymer and silicon nitride-based optical waveguides in combination with the hybrid integration capability. The performance of the PolyChrome platform will be demonstrated on six demonstrators (e.g. for analytical procedures in the fields of environment and life sciences).

The core competencies of the 12 partners from the RUBIN alliance PolyChrome cover the entire value chain necessary for the establishment of the technology platform and its commercial exploitation.
“The world will enjoy our solutions”, the participants agree, and identify some problems that can affect every “normal consumer”; for example, in summer, when bathing waters are closed due to infestation of blue sites. With a small, compact and financially affordable measuring device, bathing facility operators would be able to determine the health hazard to which they are exposed in the shortest possible time and prevent unnecessary closures.

The vitamin D test for home use would also be useful, as a deficiency of this vitamin causes serious illness. In general: If the blood analysis can be replaced by the simpler saliva analysis, the self-test and thus the personal monitoring of one’s own health and fitness status would be possible in many other areas as well.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

About the RUBIN Alliance PolyChrome
Under the coordination of micro resist technology GmbH, a consortium of 12 partners with the joint project “PolyChrome Berlin – Photonic Integration Platform for Sensory and Analytical Applications in a Wide Wavelength Range – Berlin” has successfully applied for a concept phase in the context of the call for proposals “RUBIN – Regional Entrepreneurial Alliances for Innovation” of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The RUBIN alliance PolyChrome Berlin is dedicated to one of the most important key technologies and future-oriented industries in photonics by establishing a technology platform for the realization of hybrid optical components that will be used, for example, in sensor technology or analytics. These innovative photonic components are technological prerequisites not least for the comprehensive digitization of society and industry 4.0.

More information www.polyphotonics-berlin.de
The following companies and institutes belong to the RUBIN alliance PolyChome:

·         ADVA Optical Networking SE

·         Allresist GmbH

·         Chembio Diagnostics GmbH

·         CODIXX AG

·         Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut

·         Fraunhofer-Institut für Zelltherapie und Immunologie

·         LEONI Fiber Optics GmbH

·         Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.

·         Micro resist technology GmbH

·         Scienion AG

·         TOPTICA EAGLEYARD

·         VPIphotonics GmbH