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

Bio-Rad acquires QuantaLife's microfluidic technology for $162 million

Bio-Rad Laboratories, a manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostics products, announced this week that it has acquired QuantaLife, a microfluidic technology startup, for $162 million in cash plus potential future milestone payments.  QuantaLife raised $17.2 million in venture capital financing in December 2010.

Inertial MEMS devices: an overview of testing techniques and considerations

MEMS inertial sensors, such as accelerometers and gyros, are some of the most challenging types of sensors to test because their characterization requires an extensive range of physical stimuli.  We recently spoke with Sascha Revel, Director of Sales at ACUTRONIC about testing of inertial MEMS devices.  As a company that mainly focuses on inertial sensor testing, ACUTRONIC's perspective is unique and offers valuable insights.  In this interview, Mr. Revel discusses the main types of inertial MEMS tests, reliability requirements, key challenges and associated costs.

Sony acquires Micronics and its microfluidics technology

Sony Corporation announced this week that it has acquired Micronics, Inc. (headquartered in Redmond, Washington).  Micronics is involved in the development of near patient point-of-care devices for disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring and blood testing, and also provides product development services for third-party clients.  Sony said that it acquired Micronics to accelerate its own research and development, particularly for point-of-care diagnostic equipment, as well as to accelerate the commercialization of these products.

Tronics expands MEMS manufacturing facilities

Tronics, one of the leading international MEMS foundries, is expanding its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Grenoble.  After 14 years of operations, and several recent significant investments in the US, this is an important milestone in the growth of the company.  Following several years of solid performance and a recent increase in bookings, Tronics has invested in a much larger headquarters in Grenoble and is expanding its manufacturing facilities.

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.

PerkinElmer to acquire microfluidics company Caliper for $600 million

PerkinElmer, a global biomedical company, announced this week that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Caliper Life Sciences, a Hopkinton, Massachusetts-based firm that specializes in microfluidic technologies for life sciences research, diagnostics and environmental markets, for a total net purchase price of approximately $600 million in cash.  The total purchase price represents a premium of 42% for Caliper Life Sciences shareholders.  "The acquisition of Caliper Life Sciences brings innovative molecular imaging and detection technologies to our portfolio, complementing our world-leading offerings in life science, diagnostics, environmental and food markets," said PerkinElmer's CEO Robert F. Friel.

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.

Automotive MEMS sensors to return to healthy growth in 2012

The automotive MEMS sensor market will reach new heights in 2012, leaving behind the ups and downs of the last two years, including the impact of the recent Japan earthquake, according to IHS iSuppli.  Global automotive MEMS sensor revenue will jump a solid 16 percent in 2012 to $2.31 billion on its way to $2.93 billion in 2015.  The years ahead also will see expansion continuing at a healthy clip, with the overall five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2010 to 2015 projected at 9 percent.