Sep 22 2009
MEMS devices-tiny microelectromechanical systems that provide intelligent sensing, motion control, light reflection and switching, and even energy harvesting-enhance the user experience with mobile devices, video games, drug delivery systems, automobiles and other diverse applications. At MEMS Executive Congress, to be held November 4-6 in Sonoma, CA, leaders from the entire MEMS supply chain-many joined by their OEM customers-will discuss innovations in MEMS on panels such as energy and environmental sensing, consumer electronics, energy-efficient automobiles, and BioMEMS. Keynote speakers-Dr. Mauro Ferrari, professor and chairman of the Department of NanoMedicine and Biomedical Engineering at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Dr. Shoichi Narahashi, executive research engineer, NTT DOCOMO, Inc.-will augment the program for this annual event, the only conference specifically dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information among companies both making, and using, MEMS.
Often called ‘the father of BioMEMS,’ Dr. Mauro Ferrari is a founder of biomedical nano-/micro-technology, especially pertaining to drug delivery, cell transplantation, implantable bioreactors, and other innovative therapeutic modalities. During his keynote, Dr. Ferrari will address how MEMS is enabling personalized molecular drug-delivery systems (PMDS) for controlled release of cancer, urology, pain and viral treatments-targeting an overall market approaching US$10B per year.
With tens of millions of subscribers, NTT DOCOMO is Japan’s premier mobile communications company. Dr. Shoichi Narahashi is leading research activities for the company in radio frequency (RF) circuit technologies for future mobile communication systems; these systems include multi-band RF devices with RF-MEMS, highly-efficient power amplifiers and cryogenic receiver front-ends. Dr. Narahashi will present reconfigurable RF circuits with RF-MEMS as a technical solution to improve the user experience with performance.
“Industry participation in this year’s MEMS Executive Congress is up, and that can be seen as a bellwether for what’s happening in the MEMS industry at large,” said Karen Lightman, managing director of MEMS Industry Group, the host organization of MEMS Executive Congress. “Even in 2009, MEMS experienced significant growth in areas such as consumer electronics and wireless, according to market analysts such as iSuppli and Yole Développement. That can only bode well for 2010 and beyond, and attendees of this year’s Congress will discover the reasons why.”
Mark Martin, vice president and general manager of Micromachined Products Division, Analog Devices, offered an industry perspective on the Congress:
"MEMS Executive Congress stands out as a unique event. Open to suppliers and end-users alike, MEMS industry decision-makers from the entire supply chain come together to exchange ideas and perspectives on the current state of the industry as well as on opportunities and challenges for the future. The panels, keynotes, and social events are great forums to meet other thought leaders who are driving this rapidly growing industry."
This year’s panel discussions include:
- Bio/Medical Devices and MEMS - moderated by Brian Wirth, global product manager, MEMS, GE Sensing, with panelists: Junji Adachi, senior vice president, BEANS; Doug Lee, CEO, OrthoMEMS; Dr. M.P.A. (Thijs) Viegers, chief technology officer, Philips Applied Technologies; and Per Slycke, chief technology officer and founder, Xsens Technologies B.V.
- Energy/Environmental Sensing and Green MEMS - moderated by Paul Werbaneth, vice president, marketing and applications, Tegal Corporation, with panelists: Keith Abate, director of business development, Perpetuum; Mouli Ramani, vice president, business development, Lilliputian Systems; Chris Van Hoof, heterogeneous integrated microsystems director, IMEC – Leuven & HOLST Centre – Eindhoven; and Eric Young, general partner, Canaan Partners.
- MEMS Automotive - moderated by Mark Martin, vice president and general manager, Micromachined Products Division, Analog Devices, with panelists: Gary O’Brien, director, advanced MEMS Design Group, Robert Bosch LLC Research and Technology Center; and Pietro Perlo, director, technology division, FIAT.
- Next-Generation MEMS in Consumer Electronics - moderated by Benedetto Vigna, vice president and general manager, MEMS and Healthcare Division, STMicroelectronics, with panelists: Frank Bartels, founder and CEO, Bartels Microtechnik; Chad Lucien, vice president of Freespace® products, Hillcrest Labs; and Bryan D. Hoadley, executive vice president and general manager, Movea.
- Market Analyst Panel - moderated by R. Colin Johnson, technology editor, EE Times, with panelists: Jérémie Bouchaud, principal analyst, MEMS, iSuppli; Jean-Christophe "JC" Eloy, president and CEO, Yole Développement; Roger Grace, president, Roger Grace Associates; and Steve Ohr, director of research for analog semiconductors and power management devices, Gartner.