Main activities are formed as to solve the formulated scientific tasks of the Centre:

• Human resource development
• Research infrastructure development of the innovation Centre
• Development of approach for effective application of virtual engineering in educational, scientific and innovation activities
• Simulation method development for behavior of complex MEMS products and systems
• Step approach and methodology development for MEMS design by virtual engineering technologies and physical prototyping
• Methodology definition for design and functional and cost analysis of energy recuperation mechanical systems by virtual engineering technologies
• Scientific research and educational activities

• Results dissemination and partnership in the European Network of Excellence on “Multi-Material Micro-Manufacture” (4M) (http://www.4m-net.org), coordinated by the MEC and benefit from the new FP7 Infrastructure project, “Integrating European research Infrastructures for micro-nano fabrication of functional structures and devices out of a knowledge-based multi-materials repertoire” (EUMINAfab).

Above defined activities for achievement of formulated targets and tasks, together with project management activity, are structured in work packages for effective implementation, management and control of the project. Brief description of each work package goals is appended bellow.

Work package 1: Project management

Goals:

Tasks:

WP1.Task1: Scientific and research coordination

The organization of project research tasks implementation by work packages – tracking of different activities implementation, scientific management and coordination, research tasks organization.

WP1.Task2: Organizational and financial coordination

• Project implementation organization by work packages - tracking of separate activities and tasks implementation.
• To track initially planned deadlines for work packages, tasks and activities.
• Opportune control over all project phases.

• Inefficient Management – efficient coordination lack – the Project Coordinator is an experienced manager and this ensures the minimization of such a risk;
• Inefficient or inadequate work of some project partners – support and resources allocation from the other partners is foreseen;
• Inefficient adoption of the financial funds – the provident supervision will provide the operational information and will enable taking preventive actions;
• Lack of own funding in case of funding irregularities - the contract cover of the project activities minimizes such a risk.

Results:

WP1M1: Project expenses tracking by different activities

WP1M2: Intermediate phases results reports

WP1M3: Scientific and research coordination

WP1M4: Preparation and presentation of research results

Work package 2: Human resources development

Goals:

• Providing necessary additional education and qualification of research staff.
• Human resources experience and knowledge improvements by correct selection and inclusion of young scientist and PhD students in the research team.

Tasks:

WP2.Task1: Analysis of technologies for software and hardware environment integration with special equipment and necessary new knowledge definition.

WP2.Task2: Inclusion of PhD students and young specialists in project activities in order to engage them permanently in research fields.

WP2.Task3: Program organization for increasing staff qualification in above defined fields.

Foreseeable Risks:

• Inadequate training and additional preparation, meeting the required standards for implementing research work in the field of the Virtual Engineering;
• Already qualified experts and young scientists could vacate – the planned activities of the Centre will provide enough motivation for permanent work to the young researchers.

Results:

WP2M1: Analysis of human resources needs for qualification in the Centre

WP2M2: Inclusion of PhD students and young specialists in project activities and development of program for staff development

WP2M3: Staff development finishing in project period

Work package 3: Research infrastructure development

Goals:

• Improvement of the engineering envioronment infrastructure
• Supply, education in and exploitation start of micro/nano machining system using laser technology
• Subsequent scientific equipment development, rendering on specific project tasks

Tasks:

WP3.Task1: Conception definition for technical and software tools update

WP3.Task2: Supply, education in and exploitation start of micro/nano machining system using laser or other electronic technology;

WP3.Task3: Integration of all components for effective work realization. Test samples for system environment verification

Foreseeable Risks:

• Unbalanced infrastructure development, meeting the required standards for implementing research work in the field of the Virtual Engineering and micro technologies – staff experience as well as partners from Cardiff and Karlsruhe Universities that have better experienced in this field are good causes to accept this risk as minimal;
• Imprecise and incomplete specification of the technical parameters – the partners have significant scientific and production experience (they have leading position in the country in the field concerned), and this ensures the minimization of such a risk ;
• Problems of delivery and starting of the equipment – additional staff education is included as to decrease this risk.

Results:

WP3M1: Conception for technical and software tools update

WP3M2: Set in exploitation system for micro/nano machining using laser or other electronic technology;

WP3M3: Realized integration of all components for effective work achievement;

WP3M4: Evaluation of different test samples for system environment verification.

Work package 4: Step approach development and methodology for MEMS design by virtual engineering technologies and physical prototyping

Goals:

• Simulation method development for complex MEMS products and systems behaviour examination.
• Development of step approach and methodology for MEMS design using Virtual Engineering technologies and physical prototyping.
• Verification, based on certain test samples

Tasks:

WP4.Task1: Analysis of the existing condition and development of complete approach for behavior simulation of complex MEMS products and systems by virtual prototypes

WP4.Task2: Step approach development and methodology for MEMS design by virtual prototyping and simulations, combined with physical prototyping for feedback

WP4.Task3: Verification of the developed methods based on tests demannstration samples

Foreseeable Risks:

• Possible influence of random factors or not included in simulation model ones that are important for the behaviour out of the field of physical prototype, used for verification;
• Poor coordination of micro/nano system physical parameters with model features – test samples will return feedback for faster adjustment of the step approach.

Results:

WP4M1: Developed method for behavior simulation of complex MEMS products and systems by virtual prototypes

WP4M2: Developed step approach and methodology for MEMS design using virtual prototyping and simulations, combined with physical prototyping.

Work package 5: Methodology development for design and functional and cost analyses of mechanical systems for energy recuperation using virtual engineering technologies

Goals:

• Development of methodology for design of mechanical systems for energy recuperation using virtual engineering technologies
• Development of methodology for functional and cost analyses of mechanical systems for energy recuperation using virtual engineering technologies
• Verification based on concrete project

Tasks:

WP5.Task1: State of the art analysis and methodology development for design of mechanical systems for energy recuperation using virtual engineering technologies

WP5.Task2: Development of methodology for functional and cost analyses of mechanical systems for energy recuperation using virtual engineering technologies

WP5.Task3: Development of pilot project of mechanical system for energy recuperation for already defined methodology for functional and cost analysis.

Foreseeable Risks:

• Possible influence of random factors or not included in simulation model ones that are important for the behaviour out of the field of physical prototype, used for verification – accumulated staff experience in simulation models definition gives reasons to expected that all important factors will be included.
• Irregular conception of the system approach for virtual prototype building for conceptual level verification of new systems and processes at too early stage – staff experience concerning such direction is enough to be sure that such a risk will be avoided.

Results:

WP5M1: State of the art of design approaches for mechanical systems for energy recuperation

WP5M2: Methodology for design of mechanical systems for energy recuperation using virtual engineering technologies

WP5M3: Methodology development for functional and cost analysis of mechanical systems for energy recuperation using virtual engineering technologies

WP5M4: Developed methodology for functional and cost analysis will be verified by pilot project for mechanical system for energy recuperation.

Work package 6: Scientific, research and educational activities for high achievements and innovations

Goals:

• Accumulation of new scientific knowledge and technology transfer for education, oriented to future knowledge based economy
• Conditions and environment development for scientific and applied research projects in MEMS area and energy recuperation systems as to increase competitiveness of TU and SME in Bulgaria
• Young specialists training in virtual engineering

Tasks:

WP6.Task1: New scientific knowledge accumulation and technology transfer for education, oriented to future knowledge based economy by development of didactic and demonstrative materials for education of PhD students, researchers and young scientist as well as work assistance in concrete research projects

WP6.Task2: Development of conditions and environment for scientific and applied research projects in MEMS area and energy recuperation systems as to increase competitiveness of TU and SME in Bulgaria

WP6.Task3: New educational disciplines implementation for education of young specialists in virtual engineering and micro/nano technologies fields.

Foreseeable Risks:

• Important risks concerning planned activities are not expected because of accumulated already considerable experience of all involved in the project teams in this field

WP6M1: Developed didactic and demonstrative materials for education of PhD students, researchers and young scientist in concrete research projects

WP6M2: Built conditions and environment for scientific and applied research projects in area of MEMS and energy recuperation systems with provided access for external organizations and companies

WP6M3: Two new educational disciplines will be introduced for young specialists education in the field of virtual engineering and micro/nano technologies

Work package 7: Project results dissemination

Goals:

• Project results will be popularized and disseminated during different stages
• Different methodologies approbation by development of different demonstration projects in collaboration with industrial partners

Tasks:

WP7.Task1: Work shop will be held for popularization of plans and possibilities of the Centre at the end of first project year with industrial partners and other scientific organizations

WP7.Task2: Work shop will be held for popularization and dissemination of project results at the end of the third project year with industrial partners and other scientific organizations

WP7.Task3: Centre internet page development

WP7.Task4: Demonstration projects creation in collaboration with industrial partners for developed methodologies approbation and subsequent collaboration

WP7.Task5: Partnership in the European Network of Excellence on “Multi-Material Micro-Manufacture” (4M)

Foreseeable Risks:

• Inappropriate choice of directions and third parties for dissemination of the project results – the partners work actively in this field minimizing such a risk;
• Lack of adequate long-term resources – the planed potential directions and operational control upon the reuse of the built infrastructure, minimizes such a risk.

Results:

WP7М1: web page, informational brochures and posters of the Centre

WP7М2: first open day

WP7М3: second open day and first international conference workshop

WP7М4: Partnership in the European Network of Excellence on “Multi-Material Micro-Manufacture” (4M)

WP7M5: Presentation of two demonstration projects in collaboration with industrial partners for developed methodologies approbation.