MEMS Epiphany

Author

Vigna, Benedetto

Author_Institution

RF & Sensors Product Div., STMicroelectronics, Milan

fYear

2009

fDate

25-29 Jan. 2009

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

6

Abstract

This paper addresses the key drivers of the "MEMS Epiphany," i.e. the successful interplay between the technology push and design-driven innovation strategies for MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) success in the consumer market. Before 2005, MEMS were known only by technology experts and were not yet ready for the high-volume consumer market. Only the marriage of a technological breakthrough in the MEMS world, pioneered by STMicroelectronics, and the creation and delivery of new applications for end users, driven by Nintendo and Apple, paved the way for the MEMS Epiphanies. This paper will focus on the technological challenges that STMicroelectronics faced to enable this historical landmark in the "MEMS Consumerization" era. And it will also discuss briefly the next possible MEMS Epiphanies in relation to new products and applications.

Keywords

accelerometers; automotive electronics; consumer electronics; microsensors; pressure sensors; wireless sensor networks; Apple; MEMS; Nintendo; STMicroelectronics; accelerometers; automotive market; consumer market; consumerization; micro-electromechanical systems; pressure sensor; wireless sensor network; Accelerometers; Actuators; Automotive engineering; Biomedical imaging; Humans; Micromechanical devices; Mobile handsets; Pressure measurement; Toy industry; Wireless sensor networks;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, 2009. MEMS 2009. IEEE 22nd International Conference on

Conference_Location

Sorrento

ISSN

1084-6999

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-2977-6

Electronic_ISBN

1084-6999

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/MEMSYS.2009.4805304

Filename

4805304