Emerging MEMS Report

DUBLIN, April 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/hhhh5b/emerging_mems) have announced the addition of the "Emerging MEMS Report" report to their offering.

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Emerging MEMS challenge: Dream vs. Reality

The dream:

After several decades of commercial existence, MEMS devices can now rely on a solid foundation for new developments. The time from R&D to commercialization has shrunk over the years, from 21 years for pressure sensors back in the 60s to 11 years for oscillators. MEMS devices have been successful in fields with very high volumes, and have been proven capable of generating big profits. When you look at MEMS devices, you think about large volumes, and inexpensive devices; all aiming at the golden nugget that is the consumer market. This is where emerging MEMS devices try to go!

The reality:

An important barrier still exists for new devices: the cost reduction step before commercial rampup. Most of the emerging MEMS companies are fabless start-ups that rely on the large worldwide MEMS foundry capabilities. These start-ups with new MEMS-based devices such as micro speakers, autofocus or micro-fuel cells aim at the consumer market for their commercial entrance. But this is without going through the usual small volumes phase in niche markets that can enable progressive cost reduction and product maturation. Those companies now face a great challenge: the price pressure of the consumer market.

This ambition to go fast and rapidly target large volumes induces numerous supply chain challenges for those emerging MEMS start-ups. They want their foundry partner to be able to provide fast process transfer, to have fast yield improvement, and provide full solutions from front-end to packaging. This is one of the reasons why some MEMS developments, long awaited for, are still a few years away from mass commercialization.

On the other hand, some emerging technologies - often developed by larger companies that are already involved in the targeted field - go through the standard ramp-up process, targeting niche applications that require MEMS advantages while improving their product to enlarge their spectrum. This is what can be seen with MEMS switches for example. They address niche markets of pill cams or ATE (Automated Test Equipment) for now, but can potentially address the billion units market of reed switches in the longer term. Nevertheless those examples tend to remain marginal.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Contents

2. About the authors

3. Report scope & definitions

4. Executive summary

5. Emerging MEMS, introduction

6. MEMS auto focus

7. MEMS chemical sensors

8. MEMS radiation sensors

9. MEMS speakers

10. Scanning micro mirrors for projection

11. MEMS energy harvesting

12. MEMS fuel cells

13. Silicon microfluidics

14. MEMS identification devices

15. MEMS switches

16. Touchscreens

17. AOC MEMS

18. Micro displays

19. MEMS joysticks

20. Ultrasonic MEMS

21. Conclusion

22. Appendices

Companies Mentioned: 

• AAC
• AKM
• APM
• Abbott
• Advanced Micro Sensors
• Analog Devices
• Audiopixel
• Avago Technologies
• Bluechiip
• Boehringer Ingelheim Microparts
• Cambridge CMOS
• Cambridge Mechatronics
• Canon
• Coto Technology
• DNP
• Debiotech
• DelfMEMS
• Denso
• Digital Optics Corp.
• Flir Systems
• Fraunhofer IPMS
• Freescale Semiconductor
• GE Sensing
• Global Foundries
• Hewlett Packard
• Hiperscan
• Honeywell
• Infineon Technologies
• Innoluce
• InvenSense
• Ion Torrent
• Jenoptik
• Kaiam
• Kionix
• Knowles Electronics
• Konica Minolta
• Lemoptix
• LensVector
• Lexmark
• Lilliputian Systems
• Luxtera
• MEMS Vision
• MEMSIC
• Measurement Specialties Inc.
• Mezmeriz
• Micralyne
• Micrel
• Microgen
• Micropelt
• Microvision
• Mirrorcle
• MuOptics
• Murata
• NXP
• NextInput
• Nippon Signal
• Omron
• Opus Microsystems
• Oxford Nanopore Technology
• Panasonic
• Pixtronix
• Polight
• Preciseley Microtechnology
• Qualcomm
• Robert Bosch
• SMIC
• STMicroelectronics
• Sand9
• Seiko Epson
• Semefab
• Sensata
• Sensimed
• Sensirion
• Sensonor
• Sharp
• Silex Microsystems
• Silicon Biosystems
• Sony
• Synkera
• TSMC
• Teledyne DALSA
• Tessera
• Texas Instruments
• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Touch Microsystems
• TowerJazz
• Triquint
• Tronics
• UMC
• UTC Aerospace
• Ulis
• VTT
• Varioptic
• Wavelens
• WiSpry
• X-FAB
• ht micro

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/hhhh5b/emerging_mems

Media Contact: Laura Wood, +353-1-481-1716, [email protected]

SOURCE Research and Markets