SRI International to develop MEMS innovation strategy for Mexico
The United States-Mexico Foundation for Science, created in 1992 as a bi-national, non-governmental body, is funding the project. The Foundation fosters innovative cooperation in science and technology to help solve issues of bi-national interest. Two SRI centers, the Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development and the MicroSystems Innovation Center, are co-leading the project.
MEMS are mechanical structures fabricated with integrated circuits that perform a variety of sensing and actuation functions. MEMS technology is increasingly used in a variety of industries, including the biomedical and automotive sectors. SRI estimates that the U.S. market for MEMS-based products in 2005 was $8 billion. The market is expected to grow to $40 billion in 2015 and $200 billion in 2025.Mexican companies have access to significant opportunities in growing MEMS markets, particularly in vitro diagnostics, microfluidics for "lab-on-a-chip" analysis, chemical sensors, and microspectrometers.
By building a solid MEMS technology base, Mexican labs and companies are laying the foundation for future technology innovation.SRI will work with the Puebla business, government, and research sectors to identify key steps needed to advance MEMS innovation in the state. The strategic plan will:-- Identify opportunities for Mexican researchers and firms-- Identify profitable short- and long-term market opportunities-- Benchmark Puebla with its competitors and provide an objective assessment of local strengths in MEMS technologies, as well as the strengths of leading competitors-- Drive value through MEMS innovation.
"Puebla has an excellent research infrastructure in the form of MEMS design prototyping facilities and expert researchers," said Ms. Guillermina Avendano, project director, FUMEC, The U.S.-Mexico Science Foundation. "Our business community is eager to adopt new technologies, making it a great environment to further develop this region's MEMS technology base."
"The Puebla region's research capabilities in micro- and nano- technology and the strong ties being formed between government, universities and private firms are very encouraging," said Michael Vestel, Ph.D., a staff scientist in SRI's MicroSystems Innovation Center. "There is strong motivation to commercialize innovations, especially in the biomedical sector. Our goal is to help this region become a world-class, leading technology development region."
Puebla, one of Mexico's most important industrial states, has a population of 5.6 million and lies east of the federal capital, Mexico City. The city of Puebla, the state capital with the same name as the state, is known as the "Boston of Mexico" because it is home to numerous universities and research institutes and their burgeoning ties to private firms developing technology for commercialization.
SRI International has contributed to the achievement of similar goals in other innovation and advanced technology-based projects such as in Silicon Valley, California, and Austin, Texas. SRI developed a "Biotechnology Strategy" for the International Finance Corporation, an "Integrated Technology Strategy for the Optoelectronics Cluster" in the Jena Region in Germany, and technology-led strategies for Hong Kong, Taiwan, several provinces in China, and numerous European nations.
