MEMS Journal -- The Largest MEMS Publication in the World

MEMS contributions grow for the control of atrial fibrillation

by John Williamson
Contributing Editor, MEMS Investor Journal

According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart disease affecting some 2.2 million Americans, most of whom are more than 50 years of age.  Worldwide estimates range to 6 million patients.  Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia caused by an electrical malfunction in the heart itself.  This malfunction causes the upper, or atrial chambers, of the heart to quiver or fibrillate, which in turn makes the lower ventricle chambers beat irregularly.  While AF shows up on an electrocardiogram, sufferers may exhibit no symptoms.  If they do, noticeable palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue and an uneven pulse may signal the disease.  These symptoms may be sporadic.

MEMS market enters new growth cycle

With the iPhone 4 paving the way, global demand for MEMS devices in cell phones will rise robustly during the coming years, helping the total MEMS market to expand in healthy measure at least through 2014, according to new IHS iSuppli research.  Following two years of decline, the MEMS market enjoyed a strong 2010, with revenue rising by 18.3 percent compared to 2009.  While growth will decelerate in 2011 after the boom of 2010, revenue still will increase at nearly a double-digit rate, climbing 9.5 percent.  This growth will vastly exceed the 5.1 percent expansion of the overall semiconductor industry.  And with the MEMS market set to enjoy double-digit growth from 2012 through 2014, market revenue will rise to $10.81 billion in 2014, up from $5.97 billion in 2009.

Lab-on-chip diagnostic devices from low-cost, disposable paper strips

Researchers have invented a technique that uses inexpensive paper to make microfluidic devices for rapid medical diagnostics and chemical analysis.  The innovation enhances commercially available diagnostic devices that use paper-strip assays like those that test for diabetes and pregnancy.  "With current systems that use paper test strips you can measure things like pH or blood sugar, but you can't perform more complex chemical assays," said Babak Ziaie, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and biomedical engineering at Purdue University.

Motion sensing in the iPhone 4: MEMS gyroscope

by St.J. Dixon-Warren
Engineering and Process Analysis Manager, Chipworks

Apple's iPhone 4 is a market leading consumer electronics device.   The previous article in this series discussed Chipworks' teardown of the iPhone 4, followed by a discussion of the ST LIS331DLH three-axis accelerometer technology.  This second article in the series discusses our findings on the three-axis gyroscope device used in the iPhone 4.  The gyroscope, in combination with the accelerometer and an electronic compass device, discussed in third part of this series, provides full nine degree-of-freedom (9DoF) motion sensing.

ST, Bluechiip to partner on manufacturing of MEMS RFID tags

STMicroelectronics, a leading supplier of MEMS devices for consumer and portable applications, and Bluechiip, an early-stage company that has developed a MEMS based asset tracking solution, announced this week that the two companies will cooperate in further commercialization of Bluechiip's MEMS based tracking tags, aimed at a range of different markets, but initially in healthcare, such as biobanks.  Through this partnership, ST will be responsonsible for manufacturing of Bluechiip's MEMS based tracking tags into high-volume production.

GE partners with Avery Dennison to commercialize RF sensor technology

General Electric, acting through its Technology Ventures operation, announced this week its intent to commercialize GE's radio frequency sensing technology through a commercial license to the RFID division of Avery Dennison.  According to GE, this technology will enable a wide range of low-cost wireless sensing products in a series of applications, including industrial, food and beverage, packaging and pollution prevention.  The agreement will bring to market GE's RFID based wireless sensor technology that can detect and measure chemical, physical, and biological conditions in a variety of applications.

UMC launches production of CMOS MEMS sensor products

Taiwan-based semiconductor foundry, United Microelectronics Corporation, announced this week that the company has started production of MEMS sensor products for one of its customers, with high-volume production scheduled for later this year.  This milestone follows three years of  MEMS technology development at the foundry.  The initial product is a MEMS microphone and uses UMC's CMOS MEMS process technology.

Overview of CMP technologies for MEMS applications

CMP, or chemical mechanical polishing, was developed in the late 1980s at least partially as a result of a secret IBM project at the time.  Although initially mainly used in CMOS processes, CMP is now increasingly being utilized by MEMS process flows.  We recently spoke with Dr. Robert Rhoades, CTO of Entrepix, about the history of CMP, current trends as well as traditional and emerging CMP MEMS applications.  In this  comprehensive interview, Robert also provides his insights on the current CMP cost trends and the emerging 3D stacking and TSV technologies.

IDEX to acquire Microfluidics International for $14 million

IDEX Corporation announced this week that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Microfluidics International Corporation for $1.35 per share, or $14 million, in cash.  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011.  Headquartered in Newton, Massachussetts, Microfluidics International achieved $16 million in revenue in 2009.  Microfluidics will operate as a stand-alone business within the IDEX Fluid and Metering segment.

Qualcomm MEMS to invest $975 million for a fabrication facility in Taiwan

Qualcomm MEMS Technologies announced this week the culmination of months of collaboration with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs to expand the manufacturing capacity of  its MEMS based displays in Taiwan  with the construction of a new fabrication facility in Longtan.   The initial phase of the announced facility is expected to result in up to $975 million of investment by Qualcomm, and the facility is expected to be operational in 2012.