Origin of the initiative

The idea of building a technology platform common to the various professional communities emerged during the project design phase (November 2003 to June 2004) before being instituted as part of a partnership.
The aim is to streamline the transfer of knowledge and know-how between communities, and identify business opportunities by mixing the backgrounds specific to each sector. AEPI, as a key player in Grenoble-Isère development, is the driving force in this initiative.

In 2004 a multipartite agreement set forth the principles for cooperation to develop topics of common interest to both conventional industry and research into nanomaterials. It is based on a one-year experimental protocol, which can be renewed twice. In 2005, given the reliable technological results obtained during the first year, the multipartite agreement was renewed. 2006 should see consolidation of the results of the previous phases.

The purpose of the experimental phase is to build, in a highly operational manner, a working methodology for the various Metis partners: identification of emerging technologies suited to the problems facing textile and paper, analysis of applications and promising markets, project engineering and management to achieve efficient transfer of prototypes from research to pilot industrial production.

During the experimental phase (planned to last three years) partnerships may be established with other industrial and scientific players, subject to them fulfilling the criteria for complementarity.

Context

Micro and nanotechnology, thanks to extreme miniaturization and the properties of  nanomaterials, can be a source of innovation in conventional sectors such as textile and paper, in particular for identification and traceability, new more environmentally friendly, sustainable surface treatment processes, or indeed smart garments and documents.

Conversely, future developments in large-area microelectronics may benefit from input from the industrial techniques specific to textile and paper manufacturing, adapting them to its particular needs, for example techniques for printing on flexible substrates.

Grenoble-Isère has based its development on technological innovation. Alongside Minatec and other key framework projects currently taking shape, Metis is emblematic of this approach. As such it is attracting increasing interest elsewhere in France. Networking the entire area is a decisive competitive factor for Grenoble-Isère, and for its players in science and industry.

For our firms and research centres, the aim is to stimulate creativity and boost their capacity for innovation. This in turn will strengthen their competitive position, enable them to seize new opportunities together and develop niche strategies.

Approach

The Metis approach is based on networking, proximity and cultural crossover.

It is based on the added value to be derived from a pluridisciplinary, territory-oriented approach, with creativity and innovation very closely related to informal, practical links between research and industry.

One of the main objectives is to overcome the technological and cultural obstacles between SMEs and big public research laboratories, which have very different styles of management and decision-making. Metis is a sort of marriage-broker, building bridges between organizations with different backgrounds.
The name of the platform, Metis, reflects the potential for cultural crossover in Grenoble-Isère (paper industry, micro and nanotechnology, textile, weaving, innovation, etc.).

Players

1. Atomic Energy Commission (CEA): Leti (electronics) and Liten (new materials and energy sources) laboratories; Directorate of Basic Research (DRFMC); and the Minatec centre (micro and nanotechnology)
2. Companies: to facilitate the launch of the project five pilot firms were chosen on the basis of their competitive position, good practice in innovation and because they were not in direct competition.
   – Textile: Sofileta, Sport Soie, Thuasne
   – Paper: Arjowiggins SAS
   - Plastic films: Rexor
3. Local authorities: Isère Departmental Council and AEPI, CAPI (Communauté d'Agglomération Porte de l'Isère)

Platform

The Metis technology transfer platform is based on sharing of knowledge between advanced research and conventional industry, both of which are well represented in Grenoble-Isère and the surrounding Rhône-Alpes region. Metis players make a commitment on objectives, means and joint strategy, rooted in mutual trust, always easier to establish with close neighbours even if it is necessary to overcome major sociological and psychological obstacles. The collaboration agreements established between the various firms and CEA are based on confidentiality and respect for intellectual and industrial property.

Metis draws heavily on CEA and the Minatec centre, which both play a pivotal role in Grenoble-Isère as a centre of micro and nanotechnology, and nanomaterials. For its experimental phase Metis has involved innovative pilot companies in conventional sectors (textile, paper,) two activities well represented in Grenoble-Isère and Rhône-Alpes.

Several common lines of research and centres of interest have been identified:

• Materials and nanomaterials, surface functionalization;
• Traceability and identification, and ways of combating counterfeiting
• Electronics on flexible substrates (other than silicon)
• Instrumentation of substrates: health monitoring, security, embedded energy, smart functions, functionalized medical tissues.

Results

1. In 2005 the Large-area electronics/Printronics project, currently Metis' flagship project, was certified as part of the Minalogic competitivity centre.
2. Several patents were registered in 2005.

Project management

• An organization, the Metis Partnership
• Metis is managed by a five-member steering committee, representing the various firms, the Isère Departmental Council, AEPI and CEA
• Assisted by a technical committee and two researchers, one in industry, the other in basic research, the steering committee sets overall guidelines for the research programme and approves the resulting projects, backed by functional specifications
• Scope for partnerships, strategic options, cooperation at a European or international level with other research initiatives.

Your AEPI contact: Nicolas BEROUD