State of the MEMS Industry at Microtech 2010

Contributed by Karen Lightman, Managing Director, MEMS Industry Group

While I was unable to participate in the first part of Microtech in Anaheim last week, I still feel like I experienced most of the conference/tradeshow/symposium extravaganza that is “Globaltech” in Anaheim this year. The folks at NSTI/CSTI organized an impressive event, though my main complaint is that I felt the venue was not the right size. As I discussed with organizer and NSTI executive director, Matt Loudon, the Anaheim Convention Center was too big, though with over 2,200 attendees, having the event at a hotel would be too small. I guess it’s like Goldilocks in search of a venue “just right” and hopefully next year’s event in Boston (June 13-16, 2011) will be just that.

What in the World is Contextual Sensing?

Contributed by Michael Stanley, Freescale Semiconductor

Originally posted on Freescale’s Smart Mobile Devices Embedded Beat blog

You can’t use your phone, drive your car or even nuke a sandwich without relying on one or more electronic sensors to help you complete the task.  Their use has become ubiquitous, and most people are blissfully unaware of just how much they depend on them in their daily lives.

MEMS Mantras at Yole MEMS CTO Meeting

Contributed by Paul Werbaneth, VP – Marketing & Applications, Tegal Corporation

From window seat 2D on the flight down from SFO to SNA Sunday evening 20 June 2010 there’s a stunning view of one of my favorite sights along the long and varied California coast.  It’s a tableau composed of sunset, ocean, and the California Channel Islands, visible for me starting from up near Santa Barbara and continuing on, uninterrupted, south to Santa Catalina Island before we bank away and start our approach into the John Wayne – Orange County airport.  Sounds of “Avalon” (the Roxy Music song and the Benny Goodman Quartet jazz piece) compete for my attention in the soundtrack assembled by my resident musicologist, with Benny Goodman ultimately winning the Battle of the Bands, if only because I later find a good jazz station on the radio for the short drive up to Anaheim and my hotel.

On the scene at the Hilton Head Workshop 2010

Contributed by Paul Werbaneth, VP Marketing & Applications, Tegal Corporation

“Old haunts,” I’m thinking, “old haunts.”

There’s an Apparition Ale in my hand as I sit waiting for dinner at the Moon River Brewing Company on W. Bay Street in Savannah, GA, and some fried green tomatoes on their way to join the crab cakes already on my table.  Outside the window I catch a glimpse of an old hearse, done up as a tour vehicle, scaring up business for a Savannah (America’s Most Haunted City) spirit tour.

Sensors Expo 2010 – Day 2

Contributed by Karen Lightman, managing director, MEMS Industry Group

Day two of Sensors Expo 2010 at the Rosemont Convention Center kicked off with a full tour of the expo floor. Attendance was definitely up from 2009 but in humble opinion, the quality and quantity of exhibitors was a bit lower than I expected (considering the foot traffic the show received). There were, of course, a few exceptions – namely MicroStrain (founded by Steve Arms) – a very cool Vermont-based company using sensors (and MEMS) for aerospace, military and other applications.  I’ve been watching MicroStrain for some time and it’s great to see them doing so well.