IMS CHIPS at Eurosensors 2026: Optical Sensing and Scalable Photonics
From scientific exchange to scalable innovation.
How can innovations in photonics be translated from research into scalable technologies? This question was the focus of the IMS CHIPS presentation at Eurosensors 2026 at ETH Zurich.
The international conference brings together experts in sensor technology, microsystems engineering, MEMS, and related research fields. For IMS CHIPS, it provided an opportunity to share its expertise, discuss current technological developments, and deepen its engagement with the international research and industry community.
Optical Sensors in the International Research Dialogue
Prof. Dr. Niels Quack, Executive Director and Head of the IMS CHIPS Institute, co-chaired the “Optical Sensors” session with Prof. Hatice Altug from EPFL. The session focused on current research approaches and technological developments in optical sensing—a field that ties directly into IMS CHIPS’ expertise in integrated photonics.
Prof. Mark Allen, among others, highlighted the new possibilities emerging at the intersection of sensor technology, MEMS, and medicine in his keynote address , “MEMS Sensors for the Body: From Wireless Implants to Transdermal Diagnostics.”
Making Photonics Scalable
The combination of scientific innovation and technological scalability was also the focus of the Industry Session. In his keynote address, “Photonics Innovation Scaled: At the Institute for Microelectronics in Stuttgart,” Niels Quack provided insights into the work of IMS CHIPS.
The focus here is on one of the institute’s key missions: ensuring that new photonic approaches do not end with individual research findings or proof-of-concept demonstrations, but are instead translated into reproducible processes and scalable technologies—thereby laying the groundwork for further applications and technology transfer.
When Research Brings Generations Together
A special encounter on the sidelines of the conference demonstrated just how vibrant a scientific community can be across generations: a personal conversation with Prof. Henry Baltes, one of the pioneers of IC-compatible microsystems technology.
At 85, Baltes is still an active member of a community that engages with the technologies of tomorrow on a daily basis. Perhaps that is precisely one of the special aspects of science: Those who remain curious, ask new questions, share their knowledge, and engage with the latest developments remain part of progress, regardless of age.
For Niels Quack, the exchange with a scientist who has helped shape the development of microsystems technology over the course of decades was a special encounter and, at the same time, a wonderful example of how research connects generations.
We were also very pleased to reconnect and exchange ideas with Steffen Diez of Heidelberg Instruments, a member of the IMS CHIPS Board of Trustees.
Eurosensors 2026 has thus once again demonstrated what makes a strong scientific community: sharing new insights, bringing together different generations and disciplines, and collaboratively pushing the boundaries of technology.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizers of Eurosensors 2026, ETH Zurich, all the chairs, speakers, and participants for the inspiring ideas, open discussions, and valuable exchanges. We are delighted to be part of this community and look forward to continuing many of the conversations we’ve started.