MEMS, Microfluidics and Microsystems Executive Review

Zia Laser obtains $8 Million in venture funding

Zia Laser's technology is based on quantum dots - tiny "bumps" patterned on a substrate.  When quantum dots are stacked on top of each other and electricity is applied in a particular way, a laser is generated.  The company's plans are to use this technology to build a new type of microprocessor with some of the signals carried optically (vs. electronically) which would, according to the report, "[carry] data more efficiently than conventional methods."

New hydrogen sensor from Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne National Laboratory today reported a new type of hydrogen sensor.  As with most hydrogen sensors, Palladium was used for transduction because this metal preferentially absorbs hydrogen.  The hydrogen, when absorbed in Pd, changes the resistance of the metal and this resistance change indicates how much hydrogen is in the ambient. 

Unlike earlier designs, the Argonne sensor includes a siloxane self-assembled monolayer which apparently makes the response of the sensor faster.  What is unclear, however, is how the sensor responds to other "poisoning" gases such as CO and oxygen.  This type of cross-sensitivity is a challenge with chemical sensors in general.   

Kurt Petersen on MEMS Commercialization

Kurt Petersen, a MEMS pioneer and successful entrepreneur, talks about his experiences at Cepheid and at his current company SiTime.

MEMS business and profitability

The CEO of Micralyne, Chris Lumb, writes about profitability in tough times.  From what we hear, Micralyne and Dalsa, another Canadian foundry, do indeed run efficient, "tight ship" operations. 

Nanomix Announces carbon nanotube Based Hydrogen Sensor

Nanomix recently announced its first commercial product -- a hydrogen gas sensor.  The transduction scheme is based on carbon nanotubes.   It would be interesting to see how their sensor compares with traditional schemes such as chemi-resistors and ChemFETs.  Nanomix claims that carbon nanotubes are extremely sensitive; that may be, but what about issues such as poisoning and cross-sensitivities from gases such as CO?  Nanomix also claims that their sensor can detect very low concentrations of H2.  While this is certaibly a nice feature, the immunity to poisoning agents may actually be more important because H2 does not become explosive at concentrations below 4%. 

Sensor for gastrointestinal applications

This newly developed sensor allows early detection of diseases such as gastrointestinal ischaemia.   In this disease there is an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the stomach. 

The sensor combines a hydrogel and pressure gage to detect the higher levels of CO2.   When CO2 concentration increases, pH changes and the hydrogel swells.  Hydrogel swelling is, in turn, detected by the pressure gage.  The sensor (2.9 mm x 0.9 mm x 0.7 mm) easily fits inside a catheter tip. 

Bottom line, while the transduction scheme is certainly nothing new, the application is quite interesting and may have a sizeable niche market.  Besides gastrointestinal applications, the sensor may potentially be used to measure carbon dioxide levels in the brains of intensive care patients.

Apogee Technology Announces MEMS Pressure Sensor

Apogee Technology (AMEX: ATA) today announced its new pressure sensor; it is the company's first MEMS-based product.  Apogee has primarily been a fabless IC supplier to STMicroelectronics for audio amplifier applications such as home theater systems, powered speakers, car audio, commercial audio and PC multi-media.  The company employs approximately 30 employees and reported $11 million in revenue in 2004. 

It seems that Apogee is trying to enter the MEMS market with their new pressure sensor.  It remains to be seen if Apogee can differentiate its MEMS products from competitive offerings.

Freescale Targets Consumer Applications with Three-Axis Sensor

Freescale put out a press release today about their 3-D accelerometers.  It looks like they are especially pushing consumer applications such as scroll-by-tilt and freefall detection.  Samsung Electronics designed the sensor into two of its newest digital audio players.  It seems that these sensors can indeed offer some competitive advantage and differentiation for manufacturers.   

Tiny cell counter would aid clinicians

From myDNA.com
Detecting and counting cells is crucial for clinical diagnosis.  Determining the presence and abundance of white-blood cells, for example, is integral for diagnosing cancer and AIDS.  (read more) 

Moore still pushes the law to the limit

From Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Moore believes the micro-processor as a technology is secure. He can see no other technologies on the horizon that will challenge them. The converse is happening, with integrated circuits infiltrating other fields, such as MEMS or micro-electrical mechanical systems, which combine mechanical elements with electronics through micro-fabrication.  (read more)