Institute for Sensor and Electronics, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland

In 1992, under the auspices of the federal programme MICROSWISS, Prof. Reto Klein initiated a pioneering effort to strengthen Switzerland’s technological competitiveness. He founded the MICROSWISS Centre North-South at HTL Brugg-Windisch, with a clear and ambitious mission: to accelerate the adoption of microelectronics across Swiss industry. This initiative was inherently collaborative, linking engineering schools in Basel (Muttenz) and Ticino (Manno) as associated partners, thereby creating a national network of expertise.

By 1995, the centre entered a new phase under Peter Cairoli, who strategically expanded industrial partnerships and project activities. This shift ensured that research outcomes translated into tangible innovation for Swiss enterprises.

The year 1999 marked a decisive transformation. HTL Brugg-Windisch evolved into the University of Applied Sciences Aargau, broadening its mandate to encompass applied research and technology transfer. In parallel, the MICROSWISS Centre redefined its identity and strategy, emerging as the Center for Microelectronics Aargau (zma) under the leadership of Prof. Karl Schenk. With this repositioning, zma assumed a national leadership role by coordinating the Microswiss Network, fostering synergies among Swiss universities of applied sciences.

On 1 January 2006, a structural consolidation brought together the universities of applied sciences in Aargau, Basel, and Solothurn, forming the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). The zma was integrated into the newly established Institute of Microelectronics, reinforcing its role within a larger academic and innovation ecosystem.

Finally, in 2018, the institute embraced a forward-looking vision. On 1 July, the particle measurement group from the Institute of Aerosol and Sensor Technology merged with the former Institute of Microelectronics to create the Institute for Sensor Technology and Electronics, led by Prof. Dr. Gerd Simons. This strategic convergence reflects the growing importance of sensor systems and microelectronics as enabling technologies for Industry 4.0, IoT, and smart environments.