SINTEF

SINTEF is one of Europe's largest research institutes, with multidisciplinary expertise in technology, natural sciences, and social sciences. SINTEF is an independent, nonprofit foundation that has been creating innovative solutions through development and research for business and the public sector worldwide since 1950. At SINTEF, the team's vision is: "Technology for a better society."

Members of the Smart Sensors and Microsystems department at SINTEF focus on advancing sensor technologies from fundamental physics to full-scale prototypes. Their work combines deep expertise in micro- and nanostructures, sensor physics, modeling and simulation, system integration, multivariate sensor analytics, and deep learning. By working across disciplines, they design sensors that perform reliably in demanding environments — from the seabed to space.

They use modeling and simulation throughout sensor development to gain insight into the relevant fundamental physical phenomena that influence the design process, spanning a wide range of application areas.

Areas of Expertise

Their modeling expertise covers:

• High- and low-frequency electromagnetics
• Structural mechanics
• Heat transfer
• Fluid dynamics
• Acoustics as well as the relevant multiphysics couplings.

They have modeling experience in applications within:

• Electromagnetic sensing for oil & gas applications (e.g., controlled source electromagnetics, or CSEM)
• Inductive sensing (e.g., magnetic induction spectroscopy, or MIS)
• Electric field optimization (e.g., for plasma-based lab-on-chip devices)
• Metasurface design and analysis
• Stress distribution analysis (e.g., in MEMS)
• Microfluidics flow optimization (e.g., for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy [SERS] applications)
• Industrial thermal management (e.g., in high-temperature environments in the process industry)
• Multiphysics MEMS modeling, including microfluidics, heat transfer, stress analysis, electromagnetics, and piezoelectricity Taking advantage of a strong background in fundamental physics, they adapt their approach to the specific requirements of every application, optimizing the modeling strategy to capture the core elements of a problem and deliver cost-effective and accurate results.

Examples of areas where their modeling expertise can provide a significant advantage are:

• Design and geometry optimization
• Optimal choice of materials
• Evaluating performance of external/operating conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.)
• Testing of failure modes (thermal and mechanical)
• Assessing integration with larger systems (real-time data processing and AI model training) They design their models to be reusable and adaptable, evolving with lab or field results or during phases when project priorities change.

Depending on the needs of their clients, they can:

• Run all simulations and deliver detailed or high-level results and recommendations
• Deliver models that partners can run locally, enabling their R&D team to take charge of the modeling
• Deliver user-friendly applications for technical and nontechnical staff for use in the lab or in the field