MEMS Journal -- The Largest MEMS Publication in the World

Health and medical market strategies for MEMS companies

by Paul Pyzowski
Contributing Editor, MEMS Investor Journal

As an executive and entrepreneur who transitioned from the semiconductor industry to life sciences, I am often asked about "medical MEMS" by other executives, engineers, and investors seeking new markets for an existing MEMS or microfabrication technology.  These questions include how to identify a need, how to think about partnering and commercialization, and even whether to get into medical markets at all.

First, in spite of uncertainties due to healthcare reform efforts in the US, I am optimistic about the increasing use of MEMS in health and medicine.  The life sciences and health markets in mature Western economies are both enormous, comprising 17% of the US economy, as well as incredibly diverse including cancer drugs, hospital equipment, and home healthcare technology.

Caliper, Covaris partner on microfluidics enabled DNA sequencing

Caliper Life Sciences and Covaris, announced this week a co-marketing agreement which will leverage Covaris' acoustic DNA shearing platforms and Caliper's automation and microfluidics technologies to develop automated workflows for next generation DNA sequencing.  Caliper has developed a suite of solutions for library construction, sample analysis, and nucleic acid fractionation, which reportedly reduces manual manipulations, increases throughput and improves sample-to-sample consistency.

MEMS device maker Kionix names new marketing executive

Kionix, one of the world's top three suppliers of MEMS accelerometers, announced this week that Michael Maia has been named Vice President Americas Sales and Marketing.  Maia will be located in the company's Silicon Valley office and will report to Kenneth Salky, Kionix Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing.  Maia has more than 25 years of experience in the electronics industry, most recently as a Vice President at InvenSense, a MEMS gyro maker.  Maia will lead the sales, marketing and business development activities for North and South America while building the Silicon Valley office as a west coast hub for the company.

Overview of battery technologies for MEMS applications

With the proliferation of MEMS technologies and wireless sensor networks, power generation for micro devices is becoming an important topic.  To address the state of battery technologies in general, and micro batteries in particular, we spoke with an expert on batteries, Dr. Tom Reddy.  In this interview, Dr. Reddy reviews the basics of batteries, highlights some of the recent developments and provides updates on the status of micro battery companies and technologies.   Dr. Reddy is the editor of Linden's Handbook of Batteries, 4th Edition published by McGraw-Hill.

ISSYS launches MEMS based density meter

Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc. (ISSYS) announced this week that it is launching a new MEMS based density meter, geared towards the flammable fluids market.  According to Doug Sparks, Executive VP of ISSYS and the Director of the Microfluidic Product Line, "This new meter will help our customers save money as fuel prices rise by monitoring the quality of the fuels and enabling accurate blending of petrochemicals and biofuels."

Samplify Systems developing ultrasound solutions, recruits MEMS expert

Samplify Systems, a provider of  semiconductor technology and sub-systems for the ultrasound equipment market, announced this week that Dr. Chris Daft has joined the company as Senior Scientist, where he will apply his MEMS expertise to develop the company's ultrasound beamforming technology and products.  "Dr. Daft brings a wealth of experience in beamforming, silicon integration and MEMS technology in the ultrasound industry," said Richard Tobias, VP of Engineering at Samplify.  "His experience will prove valuable not just in our next generation of solutions, but in accelerating the time to market for our current OEM customers."

Motion sensing in the iPhone 4: electronic compass

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

The iPhone 4 represents the next step in evolution of Apple's market leading smartphone technology.  The previous two parts of this series reviewed the results of our teardown of the iPhone 4, plus included a discussion of the 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope technology.  This final part reviews the electronic compass technology, and then provides some concluding remarks.  The integration of these three devices provides full nine degree-of-freedom (9DoF) motion sensing.

SPTS acquires Tegal DRIE assets for $2.1 million

Tegal Corporation announced this week the sale of its DRIE and related assets to SPP Process Technology Systems (SPTS).  Tegal will receive approximately $2.1 million in the transaction, including $1.6 million in cash and the assumption by SPTS of approximately $0.5 million of short-term liabilities.  The deal includes the transfer to SPTS of the capital stock and operations of Tegal France SAS, a wholly-owned Tegal subsidiary formed following the acquisition in September 2008 by Tegal of the DRIE assets of Alcatel Micro Machining Systems.

Tablets become fastest growing MEMS market in 2011

Driven by soaring demand for Apple's iPad and Android-based alternatives, media tablets in 2011 are expected to be the fastest growing market for MEMS devices in the consumer electronics and mobile segment, according to new IHS iSuppli research.  Sales of MEMS for use in tablets will rise to $140.4 million this year, up 373 percent from a mere $29.7 million in 2010.  By 2014, tablets will become the second-largest application for MEMS sensors in the consumer and mobile space after cell phones, with revenue of $280 million.

TriQuint's MEMS revenues grow to $74.7 million in 2010

Capitalizing on their design wins in Apple's iPhone 4 and iPad, semiconductor suppliers STMicroelectronics and TriQuint in 2010 achieved industry-leading growth in the global market for MEMS in consumer electronics and mobile devices, new IHS iSuppli research indicates.