MEMS Investor Journal -- The Largest MEMS Publication in the World

Automotive MEMS components: the impact of 2011 natural disasters

In an ironic twist, the terrible disasters that struck Japan and Thailand in 2011 actually helped to expand the market for automotive MEMS sensors and actuators, as car electronic systems makers sought to expand their supply chains to mitigate the risk of supply shortages.  Automotive MEMS revenue in 2011 amounted to $2.2 billion, up 16 percent from $1.9 billion in 2010, according to IHS iSuppli.  In a remarkable reprise, last year's growth continued the notable 28 percent expansion that the market saw in 2010 as it accelerated out of the endemic global recession of 2009.  The growth rates for 2010 and 2011 are well above average when compared to the 7 to 9 percent annual expansions in sensor sales that took place regularly before the last recession.

Magnetics and MEMS: trends, opportunities and emerging applications

Magnetic materials in microfabrication technologies are increasingly being used to enable new MEMS devices and applications.  We recently spoke with Al Sidman, Chief Technical Officer at Advanced MicroSensors, about the ongoing trends and developments that relate to magnetics and MEMS.  In this interview, Al reviews the main applications for MEMS and non-MEMS magnetic sensors, emerging MEMS applications, developments with MEMS actuators based on magnetics, MEMS and CMOS integration challenges, and current market drivers.

MEMS and venture capital: lessons learned from Ardesta's portfolio companies

by Howard Lovy
Contributing Editor, MEMS Investor Journal

If only politics worked like Ardesta, says co-founder Chris Rizik, maybe Michigan's economic development system would not be so broken. You see, he says, the venture capital firm he and Rick Snyder, the state's current governor, launched in 1999 was all about collaboration. The MEMS and other "small tech" companies under Ardesta's roof were all part of the same community of companies even if their proprietary interests might have been very different from one another.

"One of the big things about Ardesta was the value of collaboration," Rizik says. "And so part of the reason that we tried to house all of our companies near each other, or as many as we could, was that interesting things can happen when they collaborate. One group that's working on one thing can help find a solution for another group."

Pressure sensors to become top MEMS device by 2014

Due to their relatively high prices and expanding use in a host of automotive, medical and industrial applications, pressure sensors will become the leading MEMS device by 2014, according to IHS iSuppli.  Driven by a strong automotive industry recovery after the recession, pressure sensors last year generated $1.22 billion in revenue, up 26 percent from 2009, to reach second place in terms of revenue among all MEMS devices.  Growth this year will be more modest at 6.6 percent, but a double-digit expansion is predicted for 2012.  By 2014, revenue for MEMS pressure sensors will amount to $1.85 billion.

Electronic compass market expected to grow at 73 percent in 2011

With navigation features becoming standard in smartphones like Apple's iPhone as well as in tablets and gaming devices, the market for electronic compasses is set to close this year with a sizable 73 percent growth, according to IHS iSuppli.  Global revenue for electronic compasses is expected to reach $419.1 million in 2011, up from last year's $242.3 million.  The hefty growth this year continues the explosive 186 percent surge seen by the market in 2010, with strong double-digit expansion assured for the next few years as well.  By 2015, revenue is projected to amount to $842.2 million, an increase of more than threefold from 2010.

Overview of wafer bonding techniques for MEMS applications

Wafer bonding is a critical part of most MEMS process flows.  Especially with the increased importance of wafer stacking and 3D technologies, selecting the best wafer bonding process will likely determine the cost structure, and therefore, the ultimate market success of many MEMS devices.  We recently spoke with Eric Pabo, MEMS Business Development Manager of EV Group, about trends and developments with bonding techniques for MEMS applications.  In this interview, Eric discusses the history of wafer bonding, emerging MEMS bonding techniques, equipment providers, and bonding process cost drivers.

China emerges as world's fastest growing automotive MEMS market

Driven by the aggressive implementation of vehicle safety and pollution mandates, China has emerged as the world's fastest-growing country for sales of automotive MEMS, according IHS iSuppli.  China's automotive MEMS market is expected to expand to $387.9 million in 2015, up from $194.3 million in 2010. This equates to a five-year compound annual growth rate of 14.8 percent -- significantly higher than the worldwide average of 9.0 percent.  "MEMS are a key enabling technology to improve the safety and reduce carbon emissions in motor vehicles," said Richard Dixon, senior analyst for MEMS and sensors at IHS.  "With China's car sales booming and its sensor usage soaring, the country's automotive MEMS market is set for world-leading growth through the year 2015."

Silicon magnetic sensors boosted by automotive, digital compass applications

Lifted by a resurgent automotive sector and rising global demand for digital compasses in smartphones and tablets, the market for silicon magnetic sensors is enjoying accelerated growth, with revenue in 2011 set to rise a strong 23.7 percent, according to a new IHS iSuppli report.  Revenue this year for silicon magnetic sensors is projected to reach $1.46 billion, up from $1.18 billion in 2010, following a blockbuster year in 2010 where revenues rebounded 48.6 percent.  Given the spectacular recovery of the automotive passenger vehicle industry and the fast uptake of compasses to aid navigation-related functions in handsets and tablets, the magnetic sensor market can look likewise to healthy times in the years ahead, said Richard Dixon, Ph.D., senior analyst for MEMS and sensors at IHS.  By 2015, revenue will hit $2.47 billion, equivalent to a five-year compound annual growth rate starting from 2010 of 15.8 percent.

MEMS motion sensors: market overview and a system integrator's perspective

As MEMS motion sensor market continues to evolve, new applications and niche markets are emerging.  We recently spoke with Dave Rothenberg, Worldwide Marketing Manager at Movea.  As a system integrator that develops MEMS motion sensing platforms, Movea offers an interesting perspective.  In this interview, Mr. Rothenberg discusses emerging applications, such as interactive TV, eHealth, and sports and comments on the current MEMS sensor cost trends.  Dave also highlights some of the key challenges that MEMS system integrators are currently working through.  In addition, Mr. Rothenberg provides an overview of key players and competitors in this market segment including such companies as Hillcrest, Philips, PrimeSense, Xsens and Garmin.

Tablets and smartphones spur record MEMS revenue growth in 2011

Benefiting from exposure to the hot tablet and smartphone  businesses, the market for MEMS in consumer electronics and mobile communications devices is set to generate record growth in 2011, according to IHS iSuppli.  Revenue for consumer and mobile MEMS -- the largest and most dynamic sector of the MEMS market -- will hit $2.25 billion in 2011, up by a best-ever annual expansion rate of 37 percent.  This compares to the previous high-water mark of 27 percent in 2010 when revenue reached $1.64 billion.  Overall, the five-year revenue forecast starting from 2010 calls for growth by a factor of nearly three to $4.54 billion in 2015, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 22.5 percent.