May 15, 2022

Context, challenges and aims

The aim of the challenge is to reward the best showcase of high laterally resolved vibration analysis by Digital Holographic Microscope DHM® MEMS Analyzer. Therefore, Lyncée Tec SA launches the “Lyncée Tec Challenge 2022”, which offers researchers and engineers from all around the world the opportunity to submit their ideas and to become part of the exciting exploration of DHM® application. The winner will be awarded a DHM MEMS Analyzer.

Through this contest, Lyncée shows that innovation lies in the core of its DNA and that supporting novel ideas and developing innovative applications are the priority for the company. It is the guiding force behind a team who innovates each day to provide you with new possibilities for your research.

Challenge procedure

The selection process has two phases, described here below.

Phase 1 Call for ideas, selection, and publication of the top 10 applications

1.1 Call

From May 9th 2022 to July 30th 2022, 12 am – Swiss time (CET)

Lyncée will announce the challenge for vibration and transient analysis by DHM® through Internet, social networks, and emails, among others. Communications will be made from the announcement of the launch of the challenge to the ending date: July 30th 2022.

During this period, individuals or teams of researchers and engineers will be invited to register for the contest via the Internet site https://challenge.lynceetec.com/registration/ and to submit their application forms no later than July 30th. Registered applicants will receive regular Emails with the latest contest information. It is therefore advised to register for the contest as soon as possible. Applications should be written in English.

The scope of application proposals includes but is not limited to the following fields:

MEMS/NEMS (Inertial sensors, actuators, transducers, Micromirrors, SAW, CMUT/PMUT, etc.), Micro/nanofabrication, Micro/nanoelectronics, Energy harvesting, Smart surfaces, stretchable electronics, Microfluidics, Micro optics, Optical inspection, Quality control, Surface analysis,  LCD, phase change, 2D material, structured thin film, material science, polymer, photonic devices, self-assembly, novel micromechanics and robotics, etc.

Applicants shall guarantee, on their honor, that they are the creators of their application idea, and that they are not the result of plagiarism. During this phase, the teams may modify the content of their entries, whether this involves the team members, the content of their application ideas.

1.2 Selection of the top 10 applications

From July 30th 2022, 12 am CET to August 10th 2022, 12 am CET.

A group of 5 specialists from Lyncée Marketing and R&D teams will select the top 10 applications. Selected proposals will be communicated to all of the registered applicants and will be published online https://challenge.lynceetec.com/ and on the social networks, on August 10th 2022 after 12 am CET.

1.3 Publication of the top 10 applications

The top 10 applications will be communicated to all of the registered applicants and will be published online https://challenge.lynceetec.com/ and on the social networks August 10th 2022.

Phase 2: Sample test, winner selection, prize and results announcement

2.1 Sample test

From August 10th 2022 12 am CET to November 30th 2022, 12 am CET

The applicants of the 10 selected applications have the possibility to perform tests on their samples at Lyncée Tec SA premises. There are 15 weeks for preparing samples and materials, and for shipping them to Lyncée. Sample handling and measurement protocol should be properly described. All shipping costs including insurance and TVA if applicable are at the charge of the participant.

Lyncée Tec specialist will run the proposed experiments. Applicants are welcome to assist to the measurements remotely or at Lyncée Tec premises. Travel expense of applicants to Lyncée Tec are at their own costs. Lyncée Tec has no obligation to deliver results. Results data will be given for free to the applicants. They will be free from any right and can be disseminated by both the applicant and Lyncée Tec, except other agreements signed between both parties.

2.2 The winning application selection

A Jury composed by external personalities will evaluate the 10 nominated applications and determine the the winner based on the following criteria:

  • Feasibility and adaptation with DHM® specifications:

The proposed application should fit well with DHM® specifications. This supposes that the applicants have investigated Lyncée Tec website (www.lynceetec.com) and have a good knowledge of the technical and related matters. In particular, the proposed application should be well adapted to the observable sample size, material, optical properties, surface texture, and resolution needs.

  • Exploitation of the potential of full-field vibration and transient analysis

The proposed applications should exploit the potential of full-field vibration and transient analysis by DHM®. It is also encouraged to propose application working in various environmental gas, pressure, liquid, or temperature conditions.

  • Necessity of the high lateral resolution vibration map 

The proposed applications are expected to demonstrate the necessity of using high lateral resolution for complex geometry, structures or vibration mode shapes, which cannot be achieved by other techniques or systems. It should not be identical to the example shown on Lyncée Tec website, and if possible not in the literature.

  • Complexity, uniqueness, and awesomeness of the vibration mode shapes

The proposed applications are expected to demonstrate complex and unique vibration mode shapes using DHM®. It is also encouraged to explore not only the fundamental frequency but also other harmonics of the MEMS system where usually more awesome vibration mode shapes can be observed.   

  •  Scientific or industrial impact

Use of DHM for the proposed applications should be highly relevant for scientific investigation or for engineering development. It should give a new understanding of a phenomenon or property. It may also simplify production process quality control, or enable to improve general quality level.

  •  Aestheticism and artistic character of the measures

The proposed applications should showcase not only a good measurement but also be visually attractive and be as aesthetic and artistic as possible.   

The jury is sovereign and is not required to provide reasons for its decisions.

Accordingly, no claims shall be accepted with regard to the selection. Decisions of the judges are final.

2.3 Awards

The winning idea will be announced on January 15th 2023.

The award is a DHM MEMS Analyzer with below configuration:

-Model: DHM R1000 with single wavelength

-Single objective without turret 

-Single channel stroboscope unit

-Manual Stage

-MEMS Analysis Tool

*The system can be updated according to request and subject to additional cost.

**If the winner is an existing DHM user, an equivalent upgrade will be provided – if desired.

***Shipping, insurance and TVA are not included in the award. 

The awarded DHM will be shipped to the winner and installed by Lyncée representative during a Lyncée Tec visit at the institution/company where the winner work. The winner should help to organize a small ceremony for granting the award, typically in the form of a small seminar, in order to present the rewarded application and DHM® measurement results if available.

2.4 Results announcement

After the jury has reached a decision, the winner will be informed by email of the result of the contest on January 15th, 2023.

After this announcement, the application description will be published online on https://challenge.lynceetec.com/ and on social media.

Article 1. Organizer

The organizer of the challenge is Lyncée Tec SA, a limited liability company, headquartered at Innovation Park of EPFL, Bulding A, Lausanne, Switzerland hereafter “the organizer ”.

Article 2. Object of the challenge

The challenge: the best showcase applications of high laterally resolved full-field vibration and transient analysis using Digital Holography Microscopy (DHM®).

Article 3. Eligibility and entry requirements

The challenge is open to researchers and engineers worldwide. Both individuals and teams can participate.

The following people may not enter the contest:

  • employees of the organizer, of any company that it controls, that controls it or that is under joint control with it, and their children.
  • people who have been involved in organizing the contest, and their children.
  • people who have a conflict of interest.

Article 4. Submission deadline

The challenge starts on May 9th, 2022 and the deadline for entries is July 30th 2022 at 12 am, CET. The winners will be announced January 15th, 2023.

The organizers reserve the right, in the event of force majeure or for any reason that is beyond their control, to modify the contest dates. They cannot be held liable in this regard.

Article 5. How to enter

To enter the challenge, complete the online registration form on the Internet site: https://challenge.lynceetec.com/registration/

Any entry form that is incomplete or that contains inaccuracies will not be taken into account and will result, automatically and ipso jure, in the disqualification of the applicant. Entrants are required to compete using their true identities. The organizer reserves the right to carry out all checks that may be necessary. Entry in the contest implies the unreserved acceptance of these regulations in full, rules of compliance, and laws, regulations and other legislation applicable in Switzerland. The organizer shall not be bound to return the entries presented, once the contest is over.

Article 6. Challenge procedure

The selection process is as follows:

Phase 1

  •   Starting of the call: May 9th, 2022, 12 am – CET
  •   Closing of the call: July 30th, 2022, 12 am – CET
  •   Announcement of the top 10 best applications: August 10th, 2022.

Phase 2:

  •       Sample and material sending to Lyncée: Between August 10th 2022 12 am CET to November 30th, 2022, 12 am CET
  •       Sample test: Between August 10th, 2022 12 am CET to November 30th, 2022, 12 am CET
  •       Announcement to the winner: January 15th, 2023
  •       The winner will be announced through emails and on the internet and social media.
  •       Award distribution: until end of June 2023

Article 7. Project requirement

The projects submitted must meet the following criteria and technical constraints:

Documents must be drafted in English

Criteria taken into account:

Winner selection of the 10 best application will be made according the following criteria:         

  1. Feasibility and adaptation to DHM® unique specificities
  2. Exploitation of DHM full-field of view vibration and  transient analysis potential
  3. Necessity of high laterally resolution
  4. Complexity, uniqueness, and awesomeness of the vibration mode shapes
  5. Scientific and/or industrial impact
  6. Aestheticism and artistic character of the measures

Article 8. Jury members

The composition of the jury is determined by the contest organizer.

The jury for selecting the top 10 applications will be chaired by the CEO of Lyncée Tec SA and made up of five Lyncée employees in total, who are well known for their professional experience and competence (scientific, sociological, philosophical, etc.).

The Jury for selecting the winner will be made up of three external experts, who are internationally well known for their professional experience and competence (scientific, sociological, philosophical, etc.). It will be chaired by one of the member of this external jury.

Decisions made by both juries are sovereign and no claims about their decisions will be accepted.

Article 9. Awards

The winning idea will be announced on January 15th 2023 during the MEMS2023 conference.

The award is a DHM MEMS Analyzer with below configuration:

-Model: DHM R1000 with single wavelength

-Single objective without turret 

-Single channel stroboscope unit

-Manual Stage

-MEMS Analysis Tool

*The system can be updated according to request and subject to additional cost.

**If the winner is an existing DHM user, an equivalent upgrade will be provided – if desired.

***Shipping, insurance and TVA are not included in the award. 

Article 10. Patent rights

Intellectual property rights will be allocated on a case-by-case basis, in agreement with the inventors and taking specific local legal rules into account.

Any patents that are filed will be followed up by Lyncée Tec as soon as this is necessary and especially on completion of proof of concept creation phase, in agreement with the agreement.

Article 11. Publicity and image rights

Throughout the contest, Lyncée Tec SA will communicate on the identity of the applicants. Accordingly, the teams undertake to provide biographical details and photographs requested by Lyncée Tec SA and agree to these being published on the Internet site : https://challenge.lynceetec.com/ and on its social network accounts as part of the communication campaign for the contest.

The winners expressly agree to the free usage and publication of these data on any media and for any advertising or promotional campaign related to this contest. All of the nominative information that the entrants provide when registering or during the contest are intended solely for Lyncée Tec SA which may share it internally. Results data will be given for free to the applicants. These data are free from any right and can be disseminated by Lyncée.

Article 13. Cancellation – modification

The organizer reserves the right, if justified by circumstances, of canceling or postponing the contest. These regulations may be modified without notice during the course of the contest. In this event, participants will be informed on the Internet site. Registered applicants will be informed by Email. No claims will be accepted in such circumstances.

Article 14. Applicable law – jurisdiction clause

These regulations are subject to Swiss law. Any disputes that cannot be settled amicably shall be settled exclusively by the competent courts of Paris including, even if there is more than one defendant, including incidental claims and guarantees.

Article 15. Confidentiality

Participants in the contest undertake not to disclose any information about the content of their innovative idea before the announcement of the winners.

Article 16. Contacts

Applicants may send in questions at any time to the following address: challenge.lynceetec.com.