Micro Nano Lab (MINOLab)

About

MINOLab’s mission is to setup, maintain and develop applied and innovative research, testing, analysis, design and prototyping for printed circuit boards (PCBs), micro- and nanoelectronics with an accent on electromagnetic compatibility, RFID, MEMS, and biomedical applications.

The goal is to solve problems originating from real world applications in electronics, microelectronics and nanoelectronics, development hi-tech as well as affordable methods and tools for design, modelling and testing.

Activities

At MINOLab we deliver services for root cause analysis of failures and defects in electronic devices. We also provide research and development (R&D) and optimization of novel devices, products and systems.

Main activities:

Early detection and analysis of failures in micro- and nanoelements, devices, modules, systems, prototypes
Measurements and characterization of integrated circuits and systems, PCBs and devices
Design at circuit and component level, prototyping
Development and testing of devices at circuit and system level including embedded systems
Training in electrical engineering, micro- and nanoelectronics for company employees, students, experts, etc.

Projects

MINOLab partners in 2 ongoing projects for grants BG16RFOP002-1.005 “Development of product and manufacturing innovations” of Operational Programme “Innovation and Competitiveness” 2014-2020
MINOLab partners in a project for setting up a network in robotics through Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), Grant Agreement № 824964 “DIH2 – A Network of Robotics DIHs for Agile Production” по процедура H2020-DT-2018-2020/H2020-DT-2018-1. Leading partner is VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
Extensive cooperation with the Technology Transfer Unit within the EU Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Cooperation with the companies from the Cluster of Microelectronics and Industrial Electronics Systems and companies from the industries of microelectronics, nanoelectronics, industrial electronics, automotive, etc.
Collaboration with the Technical University of Sofia with regards to diploma projects and theses, PhD dissertations, and R&D projects
Cooperation with the Technology High School of Electronics Systems
Collaboration initiatives pursuant to the MoU with IMEC Academy (Belgium) with the support of Sofia Tech Park AD.

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Completed project with topic “Modeling, characterization, testing and development of printed circuit boards for applications in industrial electronics”, Contract Д-057-2018/20.06.2018.

MINOLab partnered in 2 completed projects for grants BG16RFOP002-1.005 “Development of product and manufacturing innovations” of Operational Programme “Innovation and Competitiveness” 2014-2020

FORTHCOMING PROJECTS

Realization of the priorities set in the National Roadmap of Research Infrastructures.

Laboratory portfolio extension in the context of the new Phase 3 of Sofia Tech Park project under the Operational Programme “Innovation and Competitiveness” 2014-2020.

Reinforcing the cooperation with universities from Bulgaria, Europe and world-wide.

Services and Еquipment

SERVICES

visual inspection
in-depth detection of defects
X-Ray inspection
structural characterisation of thin films
measurement of layer thicknesses
high precision micro cutting
layer removal
decapsulation of ICs
measurements and characterization of microelectronics devices
NDT thermography
prototyping of PCBs

EQUIPMENT

XRF Spectrometer
SAM microscope
X-Ray Inspection System
Shear stress Bondtester
Ion milling and polishing machine
Emission Microscope (EMMI)
Plasma Decapsulator
Curve Tracer
Optical microscopes

Scientific publications

Management

Assoc Prof. Dimitar Nikolov

Areas of expertise: modelling of semiconductor devices, design of integrated circuits and printed circuit boards, advanced materials, bioelectronics, renewable energy sources, electromobility.

Dimitar Nikolov graduated from the Technical University – Sofia in 2009 with a Master’s degree in Electronics. In 2015 he defended his PhD thesis at the Technical University of Sofia in the field of micropower devices. Since 2020 he has been an associate professor in the Department of Electronic Engineering at the Technical University of Sofia. He has extensive international experience, specializations in France and Germany, visiting researcher at KU Leuven, Bruges Campus. He is currently studying in the Master of Business Administration – Strategic Management (AMBA) program at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski. In 2023 he was elected Chairman of the Board of the Cluster of Microelectronics and Industrial Electronics Systems. He is a full member and head of the working group of the AI Cluster Bulgaria for specialized integrated circuits for artificial intelligence. Since 2022 Assoc. Nikolov is the head of the Yacht Club at the Technical University – Sofia.
His research and project activities are in the fields of micro- and nanoelectronics, design and technologies for manufacturing integrated circuits and systems, sensor and MEMS applications, bioelectronic devices, new materials, etc. He is the author of more than 40 scientific papers. He has led and participated in more than 15 completed projects in the field of micro- and nanoelectronics and their applications in industry.

Contacts

Sofia, bul. Tsarigradsko Shousse 111,
Laboratory Complex, Floor 2