MEMS, Microfluidics and Microsystems Executive Review

RF MEMS switches deliver on early promise

by Jérémie Bouchaud and Bernardo Knoblich, Wicht Technologie Consulting

Few MEMS components have created so much excitement, and then such disappointment in so short a time. Is this component finally in production? Will there be an interesting market? And for whom? We have been following RF MEMS switches since 2000 and have just updated our technical and market analysis. Although the market was just $6 million last year, it will increase to $210 million in 2011.

BioMEMS for heart repairs

According to Professor Pierre Dupont, there are currently two approaches to perform repairs inside the heart – open heart surgery and catheter interventions. Dupont, who recently was awarded a $5 million NIH grant to perform work in this area, believes there is a better way.  Interestingly, he picked MEMS as the technology of choice for his project and is collaborating with Microfabrica, a microdevice manufacturer based in California.  We recently spoke with Professor Dupont about his goals and why the size advantages of MEMS really matter in this case.