BERLINER NANOTEST UND DESIGN GMBH

Their core work

Berliner Nanotest und Design is a Berlin-based SME specializing in testing, inspection, and failure analysis of micro- and nanoelectronic components. They develop and apply thermal measurement techniques — particularly infrared thermography and thermoreflectance — to assess the quality and reliability of advanced electronic packaging such as system-in-package (SiP) and fan-out wafer-level packaging (FOWLP). Their work sits at the intersection of quality assurance and semiconductor manufacturing, providing in-line inspection solutions for smart production environments.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

With only three projects spanning 2016–2021 and no early-period keyword data, the evolution is modest but directional. Their earliest project (SMARTHERM, 2016) dealt with thermal materials for heat dissipation — a component-level concern. By 2017–2018, they moved toward system-level inspection and packaging quality (EuroPAT-MASIP and INLINETEST), culminating in coordinating their own in-line inspection project. The trajectory points from materials characterization toward integrated quality assurance for smart manufacturing lines.

Nanotest is moving from lab-based testing toward automated, in-line inspection systems for semiconductor manufacturing — positioning themselves for Industry 4.0 quality assurance roles.

How they like to work

Nanotest operates as both a contributor and a leader: they participated in two larger consortia before stepping up to coordinate INLINETEST. With 34 unique partners across 9 countries from just 3 projects, they engage in sizable European consortia rather than small bilateral setups. Their willingness to coordinate indicates growing confidence and ambition, making them a reliable partner who can also take ownership when needed.

Despite only three projects, Nanotest has built a network of 34 partners across 9 countries, indicating participation in large, multi-national consortia typical of semiconductor and electronics pilot line projects. Their network is concentrated in the European microelectronics ecosystem.

What sets them apart

Nanotest occupies a narrow but high-value niche: non-destructive thermal inspection of micro/nanoelectronic assemblies. Few SMEs combine deep expertise in infrared thermography and thermoreflectance with hands-on experience in advanced packaging formats like FOWLP and SiP. For any consortium needing a testing and quality assurance partner in electronics manufacturing, they bring a focused skill set that larger organizations often cannot match in agility or specialization.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INLINETEST
  Their only coordinated project, focused on building an in-line quality inspection system for smart micro/nanoelectronics production — representing their core business ambition.
• SMARTHERM
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 364,000), involving pilot-line production of CNT-based thermal interface materials — an emerging technology area.
• EuroPAT-MASIP
  Participation in a European packaging and assembly pilot line, connecting Nanotest to the broader SiP manufacturing ecosystem.