£2.7M MNT project awarded for advanced MEMS applications
A UK project consortium has been awarded a 3-year programme under the MNT initiative for advanced research in MEMS, microfluidics and surface functionalisation. The consortium is led by Point 35 Microstructures and memsstar Technology, and comprises Epichem, Innos, Qinetiq, Semefab (Scotland) and the Scottish Microelectronics Centre. The programme will involve advanced release processing of fluidic channels and associated structures, combined with surface functionalisation using a range of precursors and bio materials. Advanced structures, materials, processes and equipment will be developed in association with inputs from a wide industry led group of potential users.
Mike Leavy, CEO of Point 35/ memsstar Technology, said: ³the majority of currently available MEMS processing equipment is incapable of integration into the advanced semiconductor environments. memsstar systems, incorporating innovative processing techniques have already demonstrated not only production compatibility but also cost effectiveness in the market.
This programme will allow us to provide a full range of production worthy processing equipment to the rapidly expanding integrated MEMS industry².
In July 2003, Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury announced a cash injection of £90 million over the next six years to help industry harness the commercial opportunities offered by nanotechnology. Within this initiative, the DTI has allocated £50m for an applied research programme that will support collaborative research and development projects and technology transfer initiatives, and £40m for capital projects for a UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network.
Ian McNaught, MEMS Business Manager of Semefab said: ³the MEMS industry is expanding rapidly, both in terms of market size and technical capability.
The DTI/MNT funding provides a catalyst for a wide range of UK based companies to ensure that we have the processes and tools necessary to fully capitalise on these exciting industry developments².