Microtechnology

The micro-technology (also microstructure technology ) is concerned with methods for the preparation of bodies and geometric structures with dimensions in the micrometer range are applied (0.1-1000 microns). When it comes to structure sizes below 100 nanometers, one speaks of nanotechnology .

Areas and fields of application

Microtechnology is divided into a few large sub-areas, some of which overlap in terms of the questions and methods posed, including above all microelectronics and microsystem technology as well as microprocess engineering .

From an economic point of view, microelectronics is currently the largest area of application for microtechnology. Among other things, she deals with the design and manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs) based on semiconductors (main material silicon ), through which modern computer technology was made possible. The production of the basic components such as transistors takes place with methods of semiconductor technology .

Microsystem technology, on the other hand, deals with the implementation and integration of mechanical, optical or (bio) chemical components. With manufacturing techniques of microsystem technology, three-dimensional structures with mechanical functions such as actuators , motors , pumps , plugs, etc. can also be produced. In this context, one speaks of the miniaturization of known mechanical systems, but the microsystems usually offer significantly improved or previously unrealizable products. These can also contain electronic elements for memory and logic functions. When it comes to microsystem technology, one often speaks simply of microtechnology.

The combination of non-electronic areas of application such as micromechanics , fluid mechanics and optics with microelectronics has become more and more important since the 1990s.

The production of micro-technical structures takes place in clean rooms . Mostly, photolithography is used to define microtechnology structures .

education

Apprenticeship

The microtechnologist has been training since 1998 with a focus on semiconductor technology or microsystem technology. The leading chamber is the Dresden Chamber of Commerce and Industry . A national vocational school class has been set up in Itzehoe . Regional focuses are e.g. B. around Dresden ( Silicon Saxony ) for semiconductor technology and in Baden-Württemberg, u. a. in Reutlingen (microsystem technology). A supra-regional vocational school class in Bruchsal , which also accepted trainees from Karlsruhe and Mainz , was discontinued in 2006 as an indirect consequence of the takeover and subsequent restructuring of the Siemens plant in Bruchsal.

As part of a three-stage IHK certificate course, it is possible to carry out the advanced training to become an “industrial specialist in microtechnology (IHK)”. It is divided into a basic, advanced and user level and is equally accessible to professionals and career changers.

The certificate course has been offered at the Technologieakademie GmbH of the IHK Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg in Villingen-Schwenningen since spring 2013. The content is being expanded to become an industrial master microtechnology as part of a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The certificate course "Industrial specialist microtechnology (IHK)" will be fully credited for the master craftsman course and in the blended learning format, i. H. with e-learning components and face-to-face teaching phases.

Education

In Germany, various universities and technical colleges offer bachelor's and master's degrees in the field of microtechnology. The microtechnology course is partly hidden in a combined course with medical technology and can be found using the generic term physical technology. In addition to a classic basic course in engineering, the course content is usually the following:

Semiconductor and microsystem technology
Control engineering
Sensors and actuators
Circuit technology ( analog and digital )
digital signal processing
Technical management
Quality and project management

With a degree in this field, employment opportunities are primarily in the field of chip manufacturing, the automotive sector , medical technology and many other technical industries.