Objectives:

The Mechatronics Institute is currently organized into four Research Initiatives (RIs) each of which is composed of several research groups. The RIs have been selected based on the overall mission of CERETETH, the research interests of the researchers currently involved with the institute, and the funding directions at a national, regional and European level. During the period 2007-2009, the research activities were focused on the following four initiatives

• Micromechanics, Materials, & Nanostructures
• ICT Systems, Services, and Applications
• Telecommunication and Computer Networks
• Traceability Centre of Thessaly

In the next five years, the Mechatronics Institute will:

• Maintain the dynamic nature of its research enterprise;
• Sustain, strengthen, and selectively expand research areas of strategic importance such as “Advanced Energy Systems” and “Bioinformatics” taking advantage the newly appointed faculty of the University of Thessaly in these areas;
  • Build the proposed infrastructure;
  • Increase the involvement of the private sector in the basic and applied research conducted by Institute;
  • Establish a technology platform and a cluster in the areas of steel and aluminum materials and metallic construction in Thessaly;
    • Support and establish more spin-offs and clusters;
    • Participate in the new “Innovation Pole of Thessaly” and “Traceability Center”;
    • Participate in the “Digital Convergence” Program for Thessaly;
    • Sustain and strengthen educational activities in the new scientific area of “Simulation Based Engineering and Science”.

Research Orientation:

The Institute and its laboratories are located in the city of Volos. There are five laboratories in INTRONICS in the following scientific areas:

• Mechantronics and Biomechatronics
• Microelectronics and Embedded Systems
• Micromechanics, Materials, and Nanostructures
• Telecommunications and Networks
• Information Systems and Services

Goals:

Overall, there are three major goals which have determined the development of IMTRONICS

a) Strengthening excellence in world-class interdisciplinary research, supporting new faculty initiatives, increasing opportunities for staff participation in research, developing a research portfolio balanced between basic and applied research, and investing in critical staff and infrastructure to ensure the success of cutting-edge research;

b) Ensuring excellence in graduate education through Graduate Fellows Program;

c) Providing scientific support and training to industry and government and exploit the outcome of research through the formation of spin-off companies and participation in clusters.