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Silex developing magnetic MEMS

Silex Microsystems, recently ranked by Yole Développement as the world's largest pure-play MEMS foundry, announced this week that it has been awarded a nearly $450,000 research grant from VINNOVA, the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems, to develop cutting-edge ferromagnetic materials for use in MEMS devices powering next-generation smart phone applications.  Silex reportedly was one of the companies chosen out of 340 applicants for this award.  "Magnetic MEMS is a key material for future MEMS products because it enables multi-axis sensor integration," said Dr. Thorbjörn Ebefors, Chief Technologist at Silex Microsystems.

RF MEMS for smartphones: what are the best opportunities?

As smartphones and tablets continue to drive the sales of MEMS devices for consumer electronics, most of the focus thus far has been on inertial sensors – MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes.  Additionally, MEMS based microphones and pressure sensors are seeing continually increasing adoption.  RF MEMS technologies, on the other hand, have not been incorporated in any smartphone or tablet device in high volume until very recently.  WiSpry, a leading RF MEMS component maker, is the first company ever to ship RF MEMS in volume for a smartphone OEM – the company’s first customer is Samsung and shipments began in September 2011.  We recently spoke with Jeff Hilbert, WiSpry’s President and Founder, about the ongoing RF MEMS developments and opportunities for smartphone applications.  In this detailed interview, Mr. Hilbert discusses the key business drivers for RF MEMS use in consumer electronics, current “pain points” for smartphone OEMs, most viable insertion points, competing technology alternatives, bill-of-material impacts, as well as the competitive landscape.