Innovation ecosystem in crystals and processes, .
CRISTAL INNOV has two main activities covering TRL 4 to 9. Its mission as a technological platform is to bring together the crystal community (laboratories, industries, users) to innovate. In addition to its role in initiating and supporting development projects and/or partnerships, CRISTAL INNOV provides state-of-the-art technological resources (synthesis, shaping, characterization...) as well as expertise and facility customization to meet individual demands.

Its industrial activity develops and produces high-value-added components based on high-performance piezoelectric crystals such as high-quality quartz for space, defense, and healthcare applications.

Drawing on this experience and supported by technological equipment covering the entire production chain (synthesis, cutting, machining, polishing, deposition, characterization...), on one hand, and collaborating with all French crystal stakeholders, on the other hand, CRISTAL INNOV has launched a new sector focused on design and luxury: CRYSTALITE.

Bringing together industrialists and laboratories producing synthetic stones capable of captivating luxury, watchmaking, and design sectors. CRYSTALITE offers a wide variety of synthetic crystals appealing to this industry, including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, as well as more unexpected materials, offering unique colors and custom shapes. The main raison d'être of CRYSTALITE lies in its values: An innovative offering created, designed, and produced in France, recyclable, while moving away from mining labor, aligning with the aspirations of a new generation and current trends in fashion and luxury (ethics, carbon footprint, made in Europe….)

The Lumière Matière Institute (iLM), a CNRS-University Lyon 1 research unit, is a major player in physics and chemistry research in the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region,particularly in the synthesis and characterization of materials.
The continuum between fundamental research, addressing major societal challenges, and innovation within an ethical and responsible framework is at the core of its approach.

The unit, with its 300 collaborators, works closely with the industrial sector and collaborates with the Cristalinnov platform. It particularly develops processes and carries out the growth of monocrystals in various formats (circular, square, or hollow fibers, ribbons up to 1 meter in length, massive crystals) and the solidification of eutectic materials.

From lasers to watchmaking and luxury, through scintillators, gravitational wave detection, aerospace, and piezoelectric devices, the applications developed at iLM are diverse.

For over eighty years, RSA Le Rubis has been a specialist in the manufacturing of sapphire crystals, fundamental elements of a market primarily belonging to the watchmaking and watch glass industry. RSA has a strong presence in the ruby market for watch movements and in colored crystals for watch ornaments and jewelry.

Its ability to maintain its position over the years is primarily due to its complete mastery of the sapphire (corundum) and spinel manufacturing process, from raw material synthesis to crystal growth technologies. The oldest method, known as the "Verneuil method," involves melting alumina particles through a high-temperature hydrogen/oxygen flame (2050°C) and solidifying these droplets on a crystalline seed.

Today, RSA's expertise extends to all growth methods, some of which can crystallize white or colored crystals as well as pre-formed pieces. These new capabilities also cater to markets for civilian and military optoelectronic applications.

Diamond is a mineral with exceptional properties that is sought after for its rarity and hardness in jewelry, and its optical, thermal, and electrical properties for industry. It is a strategic material that humanity cannot do without.

Diam Concept was founded in 2016 by Alix Gicquel, who is globally recognized for establishing the first research team on "diamond growth by plasma" in France in 1990. Diam Concept ethically produces diamonds for jewelry, which are 100% traceable and environmentally friendly. To grow its diamonds, Diam Concept generates a low-pressure microwave plasma using hydrogen and methane. The diamonds are produced by a plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition process.

As the first French producer of laboratory diamonds, Diam Concept aims to become a European leader in this field with responsible production of exceptional quality and tailored to the demands of the jewelry market. Today, its offerings focus on white diamonds ranging from 0.50 to 2.00ct and colored diamonds (champagne, blue, and green).

The LMI brings together 50 researchers in the field of Material Sciences, particularly in the Chemistry of Molecules and Materials.

The main activities of the laboratory are focused on the design, development, and characterization of molecules, materials, and multimaterials, primarily inorganic.

The specificity lies in the coordinated implementation of three main types of skills:
• Design and Synthesis of New Materials and Multimaterials
• Design and Implementation of Innovative Synthesis Processes: sol-gel, ALD, etc.

The materials studied at LMI exhibit a wide range of morphological diversity: plates, wires, ceramic fibers, membranes, thin layers, nanostructured materials, nanomaterials, and functionalized surfaces.

ARNANO is a spin-off from CEA-Grenoble / LETI (Laboratoire d'Electronique et de Technologie de l'Information). Arnano offers microscopic engraving prints using microelectronics technologies. Based on customer needs, Arnano studies the feasibility, proposes technological solutions, designs the pieces and manufactures them in its clean room.

Arnano develops its activities following 4 product or service lines:
• decorative pieces for high-end watchmaking
• sapphire discs with micro-images for ultra-long-term (millennium) information conservation and events
• a solution to fight counterfeiting using holography
• technological services on substrates of all sizes up to 150 mm and types (glass, sapphire, enamel, mother-of-pearl, etc.)