VIRTU-CHIP

An educational platform developed at ESIEE Paris to explore, step by step, the design, fabrication, and operation of a microelectronics chip.

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What is VIRTU-CHIP?

VIRTU-CHIP is an interactive educational platform that immerses you in the world of microelectronics through a concrete use case: designing and using a chip fabricated in the ESIEE Paris cleanroom.

This chip plays a key role: controlling temperature with high precision on an area of just a few square millimeters. It is a major technological challenge in many applications, including PCR testing.

Where it starts: an educational kit

VIRTU-CHIP originates from an educational kit dedicated to electronics and microelectronics.

This kit is based on the principle of PCR tests (Polymerase Chain Reaction), used to detect the presence of a specific gene in a virus or a biological cell. These tests rely on a succession of very precise temperature cycles repeated dozens of times.

To perform these cycles, the kit integrates the full electronic chain, from the microelectronic chip to the control system.

Educational microelectronics kit illustration.

A chip at the heart of the system

The chip, fabricated in the ESIEE Paris cleanroom, acts as an integrated thermocycler:

a temperature sensor
a heating element
all on a surface of only a few square millimeters

Around this chip, the kit makes it possible to drive the temperature cycles required for PCR through a microcontroller and a touch interface.

Illustration of a micro thermocycler and miniaturized heating device.

What you will discover on the site

As you explore VIRTU-CHIP, you will be able to:

Discover the environment and operation of a cleanroom
Explore the technological processes used in microelectronics
Understand each stage of chip fabrication, from layer deposition to final testing
Study how the chip works inside the educational kit
Program and use the electronics to carry out the temperature cycles of a PCR test

Whether you are simply curious or already familiar with the topic, the journey adapts to your level.

Illustration of the stages of a microfabrication process.

A platform designed for learning

Mission

VIRTU-CHIP aims to demystify semiconductor fabrication by offering an immersive and interactive learning environment. You can explore cleanroom facilities, discover the different stages of chip fabrication, and configure production machines.

Audience

The service was initially designed for ESIEE students, but anyone curious can use it to learn more.

Usage

The platform was designed for desktop use. We recommend avoiding phones. However, some features, such as cleanroom discovery, remain accessible on mobile devices.

About

The platform is a service created by three IMAC students (E4 ESIEE) as part of a supervised project. The project is designed to mobilize each student’s skills within an interactive educational platform, in close collaboration with the supervising team.