The Centre for Microsystems Engineering at the University of Lancaster is specialised in working with industry on problems relating to the test and manufacture of both System-on-Chip and Microsystems Technology.

Lancaster University is the leader of the NOE: PATENT DfMM (IST). The network partners organize training courses, seminars, workshops, e-learning modules and summer schools.

The dissemination is the key element for the external communication of the network, being realized by developing and updating the network web page and database with external contacts, publishing news pages in different magazines.

The networking is performed by linking the network to other European projects and existing networks and organizations (Nexus, Phantoms etc.), by the calls launched for financing research themes. PATENT-DfMM intends to attract some ACC or NMS.