The five-year Captaucom project brought together three manufacturing companies based in the Rhône-Alpes Region (SEB-Tefal, Somfy, and NTN-SNR Bearings), two research organizations (CEA and CSEM), two centers of excellence (MIND and CETIM) and one technology network (Thésame) to work on the development of self-powered communicating sensors. The project has now reached its conclusion, and the excellent results obtained have enabled the construction of three prototype devices, each meeting the specifications laid down by the industrial partners involved in the project.

- SEB Group: Work on measurement and control devices for small items of domestic equipment has led to the development of a prototype small self-powered device for use in a domestic environment.

- NTN-SNR Bearings: Work on monitoring and diagnostics applied to rotating systems in the transportation and other industries has led to the development of a self-powered communicating monitoring system for bearings.

- Somfy: Work on sensors and control systems for opening and closing actuators and solar protection systems in the building industry (blinds, roller shutters, doors and gates) has led to the development of a self-powered safety monitoring system for automatic doors and gates.

These three manufacturers have each been able to benefit from the latest technological advances in the miniaturization and reduced power consumption of electronic components, together with the recent development of micro energy recovery devices. These innovations are opening up the path to new mass-market self-powered communicating systems.

In developing these successful prototypes, the project has made full use of the knowledge and skills available in the contributing laboratories. CEA-LETI focused on the development and construction of the energy recovery systems. CEA-LITEN was responsible for the development and construction of the electrical energy storage devices. CSEM concentrated on the development of transmission protocols, signal processing, and the recovery and processing of mechanical energy.

The project also called on the expertise of a number of centers of excellence and a technology network. The MIND center of excellence designed, developed and constructed the antennas as part of its contribution to the development of the energy recovery blocks and the assembly of the finished prototypes. The Mechanical Industries Technical Center (CETIM) provided the mechanical test systems and made available its expertise in sensor technology. It was also responsible for distributing the technological results of the project throughout the mechanical industry. The Thésame technology platform was responsible for managing and coordinating the project, and is currently ensuring that the main results from the project are widely distributed.

Certified by the Arve Industries Haute Savoie Mont Blanc competitiveness cluster, Captaucom has been publicly funded since 2006 by the Business Competitiveness Fund (FCE), the General Directorate for Competitiveness, Industry and Services (DGCIS), and the Haute-Savoie Council. Financial assistance has also been provided by CETIM.

About CEA-Leti

The Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) is a public sector research body active in four main fields; low-carbon energy sources, global defense and security, information technology and healthcare technology. It relies on excellent basic research in the physical and life sciences to develop innovation in each of these fields, .

The CEA Electronics & Information Technology Laboratory (CEA-LETI) works closely with manufacturers to increase their competitiveness through the development and transfer of innovative technology. The success of CEA-LETI in these areas has led to it achieving Carnot Label certification, which it has held since 2006. CEA-LETI concentrates its efforts on micro and nano technologies and their application to systems and components for wireless communications, biology and health, imaging and micro/nano systems (MNS). As a major participant in the MINATEC campus, CEA-LETI runs a continuously operating 8000 square meter state-of-the-art clean room capable of handling 200 mm and 300 mm wafers. With 1200 employees, CEA-LETI has trained more than 150 PhD students and hosts 200 staff members from partner companies. CEA-LETI holds more than 1500 patents. For more information, see www.cea.fr and www.leti.fr

About CEA-LITEN

CEA-LITEN, based on two sites in Grenoble and on the Savoie Technolac campus, is active in the following fields: Solar energy, low-energy buildings, transport applications (hydrogen, fuel cells and energy storage) and nanotechnology, with emphasis on nanomaterials leading to many technological breakthroughs. For more information, see www.cea.fr and www-liten.cea.fr

About the SEB-Tefal Group

With a presence in over 120 countries, the SEB-Tefal Group is a world leader in small domestic appliances. The Group operates a multi-brand strategy to bring technological progress and well-being into the daily lives of everyone through a range of kitchen equipment, small domestic appliances, and homecare products.

About NTN-SNR Bearings

The NTN Group is the third-largest supplier of products and solutions to the bearings market. NTN-SNR Bearings manufactures products for the automobile, aerospace and manufacturing industries. It currently has one of the widest product ranges on the market, including standard and special bearings, bearing blocks, maintenance tools, linear guide rails and services. NTN-SNR Bearings operates a dedicated European service and R&D center, and is also developing a growing range of mechatronic systems for use with bearings.

About Somfy

Somfy is focused on the development and manufacture of energy efficient opening and closing actuator systems for domestic and industrial buildings. A leader in each of its markets, Somfy is pursuing a growth strategy combining geographical expansion with the development of innovative new products to meet market demand.

About the CSEM

The Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) is a privately owned research and development center specializing in micro and nanotechnology, microelectronics, system engineering and information technology. Innovation lies at the heart of its strategic priorities, and it is developing a unique expertise in technology transfer. CSEM is also actively contributing the Swiss economy through the creation of start-up companies.

About MIND

This Franco-Swiss technology platform grew out of C4i and is located in Archamps in Haute Savoie. It provides a bridge between SMEs specializing in mechanical engineering and the advanced research being carried out in laboratories. It also helps innovation seeking manufacturers introduce microelectronics into their products with the aim of developing mechatronic systems with high added value.

About CETIM

This manufacturing technology center provides mechanical engineering companies with the resources and expertise needed to develop their competitiveness, and builds links between scientific research and industry. CETIM is currently pursuing an innovation initiative with the aim of encouraging joint development projects, especially those involving SMEs, with the establishment of an action network linking competitiveness clusters.

About Thésame

This resource center, specializing in mechatronics, production engineering and the management of innovation, provides technological services and project management support to SMMs and major industrial groups. It offers a range of services to assist the transition from initial ideas to a defined project.