Prepared for the future with Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences

Trainee in the real cleanroom at Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences (Photo: HS KL)

The exposure system for lithography as part of the virtual cleanroom (Photo: HS KL)

With the InnoVET project BM=X³ funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, training and further education in micro- and nanotechnology (MNT) are being elevated to a new level. BM=X³ stands for vocational education in micro- and nanotechnology through excellent careers, excellent learning environments, and excellent collaborations. The project develops future-proof training, continuing education, and professional development programs for specialists in MNT. A digital learning platform forms the core of a supra-regional vocational training academy for the high-tech sector, enabling individual and tailor-made educational offerings. Companies, educational providers, and research institutions are networked together to effectively leverage existing competencies and infrastructures.

Micro- and nanotechnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century. It serves as the interface to future megatrends and creates prerequisites for innovations. However, the MNT industry is highly diversified and characterized by complex manufacturing techniques and elaborate process equipment. The qualification needs of personnel are very company-specific and subject to constant change. Accordingly, commercial educational service providers in MNT are rare. To keep pace with technological change, the industry requires high-quality and flexible vocational training opportunities.

The BM=X³ Project and the Role of Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences

Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences is a partner in the BM=X³ project within a consortium of eight renowned research institutions and vocational training centers. It is responsible for developing and implementing a platform for virtual cleanroom and process experience training.

"At Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences, we have many years of experience in conducting demanding internships in process technologies of microsystems and nanotechnology. For example, at the Zweibrücken campus, there is an excellently equipped cleanroom available," explains Prof. Dr. Antoni Picard, who heads the office of the vocational training network for process technologies in microsystems at the university. "In addition, the provision of practical hands-on experience is supported and supplemented by a web-based learning environment, the so-called Virtual Technology Laboratory," he continues.

With this project, Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences also fulfills its regional educational policy mandate by strengthening the field of microsystem and nanotechnology in the Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland region and promoting the permeability and interaction between vocational and academic education.

First Consortium Meeting of the innoVET Project BM=X³ at Zweibrücken University Campus

The first consortium meeting recently took place: 16 representatives from the consortium of eight renowned research institutions and vocational schools gathered in person at Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences' Zweibrücken campus to reflect on the project and its progress so far and to plan the next steps.

The consortium partners from Itzehoe, the Regional Vocational Training Center of Steinburg district, and the Lise-Meitner School from Berlin traveled together with nine trainees in microtechnology and their instructors. Besides project reflection and planning, an immediate goal of the meeting was also the direct transfer of theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experience on the topic and learning module "Photolithography."

"The learning module on photolithography is based on a blended learning concept, where trainees could already prepare for the practical lab course online at home using our Virtual Technology Laboratory," explains Professor Picard. The Virtual Technology Laboratory offers, in addition to teaching and learning texts and multimedia representations of real cleanroom systems and manufacturing processes, especially interactive, realistic machine simulations. "Thanks to effective preparation with virtual machines, the trainees were able to successfully complete a very demanding lithography internship in the university's real cleanroom despite the relatively short time of the excursion and gain genuine hands-on experience," summarizes Professor Picard, highlighting the very positive concrete experience with the training concept.