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JULY 18th, 2005
3M Electronics is scheduled to present its development efforts in
the area of microfluidics and microinterconnect technology at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry's (AACC's) 2005
Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Exposition in Orlando, Florida. The meeting, scheduled for July 24 to July 28 2005 will take
place at the Orange County Convention Center. There, Nate P. Kreutter, advanced product development specialist at 3M Electronics
will present on the 26th, "Polymer microfluidic devices with integrated electrodes" at 8 a.m. One of the topics of the lecture
will be on the use of polymer patterning to create electrodes that can be integrated into microfluidic channels. Other related
subjects include electrochemical analysis, electrokinetic transport and capillary electrophoresis as related to microinterconnect
technology used in microfluidic systems.
JULY 12th, 2005
TeraVicta Announces Availability of 7 GHz SPDT RF MEMS
Switch and Developers Kit
TeraVicta Technologies, as part of its appearance at the Semicon West Exhibit in San
Francisco this week, has announced that its single-pole double-throw (SPDT) reflective RF MEMS switch is now available. The
switch, called, the TT712-68CSP, comes complete with a developer’s kit, which includes an evaluation board and application
notes.
The company also released detailed electrical specifications of
the 3 Volt RF switch. These include a frequency range of DC to 7 GHz, isolation of 35 dB at 1 GHz, an insertion loss of 0.1
dB at 1 GHz, a power consumption of less than 10 microwatts at 68 Volts, a Peak RF power of 30 watts, and a switching speed
of less than 100 milliseconds. The MEMS device comes packaged in a very tiny 3.25mm x 4.5mm x 1.25mm (CSP-12) package. Reliability
is rated at 100 million cycles.
The device is intended for a broad range of RF switching applications
where high isolation, high linearity and low insertion loss are critical. Some typical applications include automated test
equipment, instrumentation, multi-band and multi-mode devices.
JULY 11th, 2005
QinetiQ has reported that new European Union legislation related
to vibration in vehicles called the “'Control of vibration at work regulations 2005 is scheduled to become law. The
law seeks to minimize the effect of vehicle vibration on back injuries. Specifically pointed out by QinetiQ was that military
off-road vehicles would be effected as well as construction, mining and agricultural vehicles. According to QinetiQ's Centre
for Human Sciences MD, Neville Salkeld, "Up until now, UK daily exposure to WBV levels in vehicles has been subject to guidelines
only, but from 6 July new legislation will introduce daily 'action' and 'limit' values to vibration exposure. The Health &
Safety Executive will police the new law and ensure that employers undertake risk assessments and take measures to eliminate
or minimise employees' daily exposure."
QinetiQ also points out that the new regulations will also apply
to workers who use vibration intensive tools. These include the obvious, such as chainsaws and power hammers. According to
QinetiQ, the overuse of these tools can lend themselves to a number of painful and unusual medical conditions, not to mention
the possibility of increased insurance costs and disability payments.
JULY 8th, 2005
As the lead partner of a regional consortium, the University of
Washington was awarded a $15.4 million grant to develop an advanced, portable medical diagnostic system that can be used to
quickly diagnose diseases anywhere a health worker can walk to. From the list of companies involved in the project, which
includes Nanogen, the silicon microarray company, Micronics, the lab-on-a-card company, and PATH, a non-profit health strategy
company, the road points to a device that combines the latest miniaturized microfluidic analysis and sampling technology with
the latest genetic clinical analysis technology.
Commenting on the group was Paul Yager, lead investigator on
the project and Vice Chair and Professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Bioengineering, "This is a
formidable group. Each partner brings vital skills and experience to the mix. I believe this combination is what led to our
being selected from such a wide range of applicants and it's what will make our efforts successful.”
The award is one of 43 research projects that have been funded through
the $436 million Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative. The initiative is specifically focused to improve health care
and provide treatment for the diseases of the poor, the majority of diseases. That market is considered under served because
of market dynamics and differences in cost of living in different geographic areas.
The target size for the final working system is expected to fit
in a pocket, or about the size of a handheld computer.
JUNE 21st, 2005
Siemens through a signed agreement with Sensant Corporation
to acquire the company, will have available Sensant’s micromaching technology to develop Capacitive Microfabricated
Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUT) for use in medical imaging applications. These types of transducers are expected to enable what
Siemens calls 3D / 4D volumetric imaging systems.
Klaus Hambuechen, President and CEO of Siemens Medical Solutions
Ultrasound Division, mentioned that, "Not only should this technology enable higher frequency imaging, which will allow clinicians
to view the smallest details within the body, but the integrated circuit technology should also deliver superior quality control
and manufacturing processes. Additionally, it will be easier to tightly integrate the electronics of the transducer and the
ultrasound system. This improved integration is where the greatest possibilities for ultrasound imaging and manufacturing
advancements can be realized, especially in the area of volumetric (4D) imaging."
To discuss the capability of silicon ultrasound technology
to enable a better understanding of disease and lower medical care costs was Igal Ladabaum, CEO of Sensant Corporation, "We
believe the combination of technologies from Sensant Corp. and Siemens Ultrasound will position the company to streamline
advanced transducer development through the power of silicon ultrasound technology and allow the realization of cost-effective
two dimensional (2D) matrix array transducers capable of volumetric 4D imaging. As a result, complete detailed volume images
will enable a better understanding of disease in 3D and will simplify image acquisition and interpretation. By enabling clinicians
to reach a confident diagnosis faster and more easily, volumetric 4D imaging will improve patient care and reduce overall
costs to patients and the healthcare system."
The CMUT ultrasonic transducers look and operate like miniature
drums. Seven of the tiny drums, fit into the width of a hair will transmit and receive sounds. In order to develop complete
ultrasound subsystems, hundreds or even thousands of the drums are integrated into a chip or tiny ultrasound catheters –
to take precise ultrasonic pictures of very small internal forms.
Hambuechen emphasized the critical size, "The size of catheter transducers
is critical in diagnostic imaging and the CMUT technology should further enable the development of miniaturized catheter transducers,
enabling clinicians to better visualize functionality within the heart, for example, where plaque or obstructions could be
more easily detected."
Hambuechen also commented on the breaking of a new medical imaging
cost-performance barrier, "As a result, we anticipate quality to be increased and costs to be reduced, which would improve
access for clinicians and patients to advanced diagnostic technologies like the AcuNav catheter."
The technology however is not expected to be available for two to
three years. Plans are to integrate the technology into a complete line of ultrasound imaging systems.
JUNE 21st, 2005
Psivida has announced the issuance of another patent. This patent,
a Korean patent, refers to the electronic based properties of BioSilicon, the company's silicon based tissue repair scaffolds.
BioSilicon scaffolds give a directed path for tissue to attach itself to and grow.
One of the applications Psivida refers to the use of Micro-electro-mechanical
devices to assist in the implant process and for hip and knee prostheses applications. One use of MEMS devices is to measure
bone strength and strain. Hip replacement operations require significant post-operative monitoring to ensure that the replacement
procedure doesn't result in complications.
pSivida Managing Director, Gavin Rezos summarized the market
briefly, "The global market for products enhancing bone growth and fusion is growing rapidly and this trend is likely to continue
as the requirement for specialist management of a variety of orthopedic conditions increases."
The patent was assigned Korean Patent Number 488643.
JUNE 21st, 2005
Microbridge Technologies Corp., known for its micro-electro-mechanical
Rejustor, an electronically adjustable resistor, has selected Intellisense Software Corporation's Intellisuite for the development
of the Rejustor.
According to Mike Foster, CEO of Microbridge, the tool will be a
versatile platform for many of the company's design needs, "IntelliSuite is an effective platform for communicating process
design, device and package design, physical layout, and analysis information. It allows our device, process, package and system
engineers to speak a common language and communicate effectively."
David Harris, VP of Strategic Sales at Intellisense, commented on
the tool's materials capability and how it has been designed to work with not only specific processes, but also with specific
fabrication machines, "Besides acting as a comprehensive simulation, modeling, analysis and synthesis tool for MEMS, IntelliSuite
is a very efficient communication platform, allowing different design and fabrication organizations world wide to communicate
design and process information within a common design and material property platform. IntelliSuite is designed around collaboration,
allowing the design team and the process team to work together to create MEMS Rejustor devices that can be prototyped and
manufactured with lower cost and faster time to market. IntelliSuite starts the design process not from device geometry but
from fabrication machine settings."
JUNE 17th, 2005
Crossbow Arranges $12 Million in New Round of Financing from Intel and Cisco
Crossbow Technology, known for its Smart Dust wireless sensors, has rounded up $12 million
in its latest round of financing. Besides investments from well known Intel Capital and Cisco Systems, the company also received
an investment from Paladin Capital Group.
Commenting on the investment and Crossbow's profitability was Crossbow's
President and CEO, Mike Horton, "Crossbow has been profitable since 2002, and this additional working capital will help us
expand both our international operations and the company's research and development programs. This is Paladin Capital Group
and Cisco Systems' first investment in Crossbow, and a follow-on investment for Intel Capital. "To have both the worldwide
leader in networking for the Internet and the world's largest chip maker invest in Crossbow puts us in a unique position.
In addition to the investments, Crossbow will have technology collaboration projects underway with Cisco and Intel."
The news of the funding follows closely with the news of the release
of Crossbow's new sensor device targeted at the industrial automation market. That device will enable a number of new and
interesting applications related to robotic miniature airplanes that could possible serve as point-to-point or as-the-crow
fly package delivery systems for large corporate campuses and industrial complexes.
Founded in 1995, Crossbow has shipped more than 500,000 of its advanced
sensors to over 1,000 customers. Its sensor technology is based on micromachine, otherwise known as micro-electro-mechanical
system (MEMS) technology.
JUNE 17th, 2005
LTX Corp Develops Pin Controller for Micromachine Relay
LTX Corp. has been awarded a patent for a pin controller invention to interface to a micromachine
relay for automated test equipment applications. The patent number assigned by the United States Patent Office was 6,903,562.
The patent is entitled, “Integrated micromachine relay for automated test equipment applications.”
JUNE 10th, 2005
MEMS Development Company, SwRI, Develops Low-Cost, Easy Maintenance, Portable Gas
Turbine
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), a diversified research organization with significant operations
in energy generation and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), has developed a radial flow gas turbine. The turbine was
developed as an alternative to the over 50,000 technically complex industrial complex turbines that are in use today. The
traditional turbines to be replaced, the organization notes, in general, have over 1,000 moving parts.
Dr. Klaus Brun, who was instrumental in the development of the design
at SwRI's Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division, highlighted the fundamental differences in the design and primary
commercialization features, "The fundamental difference between the SwRI centrifugal gas turbine and conventional gas turbines
is that the compressor and turbine section are installed on the same side of the rotating wheel, while the combustor and nozzle
are mounted on the stationary shroud. This is the most basic arrangement possible and allows the design to be extremely rugged,
simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The entire gas turbine assembly consists of only two relatively easy-to-manufacture
components. Because there is only one rotating part, costs of manufacture, maintenance, repair and replacement are low."
JUNE 9th, 2005
Optosecurity Lands $2.4 Million in First Round
Optosecurity, Inc., a company with luggage and cargo screening technology, has closed a $2.4
million (Canadian) investment round. This first round was led by Business Development Bank of Canada Seed Investment Group
and included funding from Innovatech Quebec.
Eric Bergeron, President and CEO of Optosecurity, noted the initial
market response to its technology "Government regulators and screening equipment vendors from around the world immediately
recognized how unique and valuable Optosecurity products and technology can be -- we are actively in discussions with several
partners who appreciate the full impact of our technology and how it will revolutionize security screening."
Elaborating slightly on the nature of the technology was Jean-Guy
Paquet, President and CEO of INO, "We are delighted that Optosecurity has obtained financing which will allow this promising
company to break new grounds with the use of the Optical Computing technology. We are very happy to once again offer the private
sector INO's vast expertise developed over the years through our team of qualified researchers."
Optosecurity's product, which is used in the design of systems for
the detection of weapons or explosives is based on the Optical Correlator. The company obtained exclusive rights for the Optical
Correlator from the National Optics Institute (INO), which spun-off Optosecurity. INO is considered Canada's largest R&D
center in applied photonics. INO research operations are focused on microoptic technology based on micro-electro-mechanical
system (MEMS) optics. The organization uses software from ANSYS to simulate its microoptic based MEMS designs.
JUNE 8th, 2005
ANSYS Latest Revision Reduces RF IC and RF - MEMS Simulation Time 50 Percent
ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS), announced the latest revision of its ANSYS multi-physics software
package. Version 10 now includes a new size optimized modal port definition for high frequency electromagnetic simulation
of transmission lines. The modal is used for applications such as Radio Frequency Identification, integrated circuit, Micro-Electro-Mechanical
Systems (MEMS) and general purpose Radio Frequency device simulation. The company reported that the smaller size of the modal
resulted in a reduction in solution time (simulation time) and memory requirements in the range of 30 to 50 percent. Also
thermoelastic damping was added to the software's structural thermal electric coupling capabilities for the simulation of
resonator beams found in MEMS devices.
On release of Version 10.0, Jim Cashman, ANSYS's CEO, indicated
that the company's development strategy was modified to meet convergence trends in the technology markets, "ANSYS 10.0 represents
the latest in integrated CAE capability, building upon the significant advances we delivered in ANSYS 9.0. We have continued
to increase the breadth and depth of the ANSYS simulation technology, while at the same time establishing an unprecedented
level of interoperability between all forms of simulation and analysis. Taking full advantage of the ANSYS Workbench infrastructure
for integrated CAE, we have created a more seamless approach for meshing and modeling, simulation and analysis, and post-processing.
Our world-class capabilities in each of the forms of analysis such as structural, thermal and fluids are all together as part
of ANSYS 10.0."
Future generations of MEMs designs as well as system level designs
are expected to further the need to combine the capability to co-simulate electronic circuits and micromechanical, microelectrical,
microoptical, and microfluidic devices. As well, new design demands will require engineers to determine the effects of different
nanomaterials, temperature variations and electromagnetic fields on microstructural performance.
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