MEMS enter rapid growth phase.Microelectromechanicalsystems (MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) Tiny mechanical devices that are built onto semiconductor chips and are measured in micrometers. In the research labs since the 1980s, MEMS devices began to materialize as commercial products in the mid-1990s. ) promise to revolutionize a multitude of product categories by uniting silicon-based microelectronics and micromachining technology, making possible the production of the complete system-on-a-chip. MEMS technology has finally entered a rapid growth phase and is expected to quadruple quad·ru·ple adj. 1. Consisting of four parts or members. 2. Four times as much in size, strength, number, or amount. 3. Music Having four beats to the measure. n. by 2004. The telecommunications segment is expected to increase by more than 30 percent of the total MEMS market in 2005. In this segment, photonic switches, tunable lasers and optical networking Communications between computers, telephones and other electronic devices using light. An optical network is far more reliable and has far greater potential transmission capacity than networking in the electrical domain. See optical fiber. filters are the most promising MEMS products. At this time, a large array of MEMS products are moving into production, and will impact a range of industries during the next few years, resulting in a revolutionized industry. "The growth of MEMS applications has been slower than many had anticipated," says Jim Smith There are several famous people with the name Jim Smith, including:
San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , CA) analyst. "During the past decade, MEMS research centers have proliferated at major universities and industries, yet only in the past two years have the commercial applications increased. Until then, these applications had been limited to a few niche markets, and only a few products found large-scale success." Promising next-generation products include mirror arrays for use in photonic switches, protection systems, and wearable displays; cellular telephones; relays; and biochips. MEMS sensors measure the environment without modifying it, while actuators provide or manage some type of action, often in response to a sensor output. Sensor sales currently lead the market, but actuator A mechanism that causes a device to be turned on or off, adjusted or moved. The motor and mechanism that moves the head assembly on a disk drive or an arm of a robot is called an actuator. See access arm. sales will far outpace out·pace tr.v. out·paced, out·pac·ing, out·pac·es To surpass or outdo (another), as in speed, growth, or performance. outpace Verb [-pacing, them by 2005. Despite the venture capital crunch and recent high-technology market slowdown, investors have remained supportive of MEMS start-ups. New analysis reveals that MEMS can be used in many settings where low cost, size, weight and reliability are required. For more information, visit www.technicalinsignts:frost.com. |
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