Jürgen Brugger

Expertise MEMS & NanotechnologyMicro/NanomanufacturingCleanroom process trainingDigital education using mixed reality Jürgen Brugger is Professor of Microengineering at EPFL, co-affiliated with Materials Science. He leads the Microsystems Laboratory (LMIS1), where his research advances the science of micro- and nanomanufacturing with applications in MEMS, wearable systems, and biomedical devices. His work has been recognized with distinctions such as IEEE Fellow (2016), an ERC Advanced Grant (2017), MNE Fellow (2022), and election to the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) in 2024.In my lab, I work closely with students and colleagues to develop new approaches in micro/nanofabrication and additive micromanufacturing. Mentoring and teaching are central to my work: I have supervised over 25 PhD students, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful academic and entrepreneurial careers. Seeing their progress and creativity is among the most rewarding aspects of my role.I am particularly excited about translating fundamental research into practice, whether through collaborations or start-ups emerging from the lab. For me, advancing manufacturing science goes hand-in-hand with training the next generation of engineers and scientists. Education PhD | Physical-Electronics 1995 – 1995 Neuchatel Directed by Thesis advisor: Prof. N.F. de Rooij (IMT Universite de Neuchatel) Diplome (M.Sc.) | Electronique-Physique 1990 – 1990 Neuchatel Professionals experiences Full Professor 2016–2025 EPFLAssociate Professor 2009–2015 EPFLAssistant Professor 2001–2009 EPFLResearch Program Coordinator "NanoLink" 1998–2001 University of Twente, The NetherlandsResearch Staff Member Millipede Project 1996–1998 IBM Forschungslabor RueschlkonPostdoc Millipede Project 1995–1996 IBM Forschungslabor RueschlkonInvited Pre-Doc Researcher Probe Storage Group 1994–1995 Hitachi Central Research Laboratory Tokyo Teaching & PhD PhD Students Tao Zhang, Pol Torres Vila, Chenxiang Zhang, Qinglan Shan, Chenhao Wang, Shulang Shen, Nicolas Bruno Minazzo Past EPFL PhD Students Marc Antonius Friedrich van den Boogaart, Sivashankar Krishnamoorthy, Schahrazede-Lila Mouaziz, Johannes Steen, Vahid Fakhfouri, Thomas Kiefer, Oscar Vazquez Mena, Katrin Sidler Arnet, Mona Julia Katharina Klein, Kristopher Pataky, Loïc Jacot-Descombes, Shenqi Xie, Jonas Gustav Henriksson, Mattia Marelli, Jonas Grossenbacher, Mario Andres Chavarria Varon, Valentin Flauraud, Samuel Tobias Howell, Matthieu Rüegg, Thomas Walger, Ya Wang, Mohammadmahdi Kiaee, Henry Yu, Lorenz Hagelüken, Yi-Chiang Sun, Zhiwei Yang, Roberto Russo, Berke Erbas, Jongeon Park Past EPFL PhD Students as codirector Mirjana Banjevic, Grégory Mermoud, Enrica Montinaro Courses Advanced additive manufacturing technologies MICRO-413 Advanced 3D forming techniques for high throughput and high resolution (nanometric) for large scale production. Digital manufacturing of functional layers, microsystems and smart systems. Advanced microfabrication practicals MICRO-373 This TP allows for in-depth training on advanced micro and nanofabrication methods in a clean-room environment for selected applications, gain deeper knowledge in MEMS/NEMS processes, work in a small group together with PhD students/postdocs during 14 weeks touching all aspects of a microprocess. Advanced topics in micro- and nanomanufacturing: top-down meets bottom-up MICRO-724 This course introduces advanced fabrication methods enabling the manufacturing of novel micro- and nanosystems (NEMS/MEMS). Both top-down techniques (lithography, stenciling, scanning probes, additive techniques) and bottom-up approaches (self-assembly) are presented. Introduction to additive manufacturing ME-413 The state of the art in the domain of additive production processes (the part is built by material addition without use of a shape tool) will be presented. The main application/benefits/shortcomings of the common additive processes as well as technological and economical issues will be discussed. MEMS practicals I MICRO-501 The goal of this practical work is to create thermal micro-actuators consisting of micro-cantilevers made out of silicon dioxide and covered by chromium meander-shaped electrical tracks and contact pads. MEMS sensors practicals MICRO-503 The objective of this practical is to apply in specific experimental settings the knowledge acquired in various MEMS related class. MOOC: Micro and Nanofabrication (MEMS) MICRO-621(a) Micro- and nanofabrication can be taught to students and professionals by textbooks and ex-cathedra lectures, but the real learning comes from seeing the manufacturing steps as they happen. This MOOC will not only explain the basics of microfabrication but also show the practice through videos. Microfabrication technologies MICRO-331 The student will learn process techniques and applications of modern micro- and nanofabrication, as practiced in a clean room, with a focus on silicon, but also multi-material microsystems and flexible/stretchable systems technologies. Nanotechnology MICRO-530 This course gives the basics for understanding nanotechnology from an engineer's perspective: physical background, materials aspects and scaling laws, fabrication and imaging of nanoscale devices. Selected topics in advanced manufacturing MICRO-631 The course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of ongoing advanced manufacturing research topics and an opportunity for students to investigate current research trends. Soft Microsystems Processing and Devices MICRO-618 Amongst others, following topics will be covered during the course:- Soft Microsystems and Electronics- Electroactive polymers- Printed electronics and microsystems- Inkjet printing of polymers- Stretchable electronics- Mechanical reliability- Stencil lithography- Scanning Probe Lithography Awards Award for Best Teaching EPFL 2025 Elected Full Member Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) 2024 MNE Fellow International Micro and Nanoengineering Society 2022 IEEE Fellow IEEE 2016 ERC Advanced Grant European Research Council 2016