The Microtechnology Cluster is an area containing multi-technology and multi-product SMEs, research laboratories and training bodies with specific know-how. It provides them with a strategic framework for the development of innovative projects to conquer new markets, together with the promotion of expertise and economic intelligence.
The medical projects developed within the microtechnology cluster are often designed to overcome impending challenges and provide solutions for the future.
The unquestionable strength of microtechnology resides in the fact that it transcends scientific disciplines and technology in order to produce interfaces that are always smarter. By regularly pushing back technical boundaries, this sector alternates between micro and nanotechnology, opening up new avenues at each step of the way.
On 31 March 2006, the Microtechnology Cluster had 55 corporate members.
By 31 March 2010, this figure had risen to 82. Companies such as Alstom Transport, C&K Components and Parkéon joined those committed to the venture from the outset.
Its members also include 19 research institutes, laboratories and centres, 17 professional and economic bodies and one financial institution.
With its associate partner members, the cluster represents a powerful tool serving the entire sector in the region.
The Microtechnology Cluster is run and governed by the "Microtechnology Cluster" association specifically created for this purpose on 24 November 2005. It consists of major and active players in the microtechnology world, namely companies, research centers and laboratories, training establishments, consular and professional bodies and public authorities.
54 M€ raised by the end of December 2007.
The cooperation projects set up within the Cluster cover three types of initiative:
Upstream of the process, commercial projects aim to improve dialogue with the market leading to the design and manufacture of innovative products serving targeted sectors: health, instrumentation, safety, security and quality, micro- and nano-mechanical components with strategic value, luxury products and finishes;
"Technological development and innovation" projects are aimed at intensifying R&D work so that the lines of research developed by laboratories meet the needs of industry;
Sector-based projects consist of pooling resources in order to jointly overcome the following challenges: ensuring constant innovation in microtechnologies, consolidating collective expertise and allowing appropriation of this innovation by all SMEs in the Franche-Comté region.
The departments of FEMTO-ST and the regional University Hospital are currently working on 17 research projects in collaboration with companies or other universities and institutes.
Made up of industrial companies, researchers and the representatives of organizations serving the companies and laboratories in the region, its objective is to enhance the know-how of microtechnology companies by basing its strategy on a pro-active policy of innovation and expansion of expertise in order to help them gain a foothold in the medical market or to further develop their business activities in it.
With 80 members, the Committee is currently one of the main priorities of the cluster in which the medical devices sector now represents just over 20% of all commercial and technological development projects.
Corporate members:
Associate members:
 | A Skin Ageing Diagnosis Centre unique in France |
 | Zimmer : quality and traceability |
 | DIXI Microtechniques designs and manufactures electrodes for use in neurosurgery |
 | Micro-Mega – a century in Besançon |
 | Uyghur medicine: cooperation between France, China and Thailand |
 | Besançon: a new cellular therapy product! |
 | Artechnic: a mobile distribution device |
 | Technological performance: FEMTO-ST and micro-assembly |
 | Biomedical engineering: FEMTO-ST and in-vitro fertilization |
| A framework agreement between Besançon and Dijon will create a vast hospital complex in the southern half of Eastern France |
