iNEMI Workshop to Focus on MEMS Needs & Opportunities

September 15-16 meeting follows EMPC 2011

Herndon, Virginia, USA — August 5, 2011 — The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), with support from MEMS Industry Group (MIG), is planning a MEMS workshop immediately following the European Microelectronics and Packaging Conference (EMPC), September 15-16, in Brighton, England. The workshop, which is open to industry, will discuss the challenges of developing and adopting MEMS technologies plus set priorities and direction for future industry-led collaborative programs.

“MEMS devices are experiencing exponential growth,” said Bill Bader, CEO of iNEMI.  “Their uses are quickly expanding from the traditional applications of relays, accelerometers and specialized sensors to a broadening array of applications in fluidics, RF components, medical and a growing number of automotive applications. Despite this growth, however, there are still several technology challenges to be addressed, everything from the need for new packaging technologies, to improved test and simulation capabilities, to a better understanding of the basic failure mechanisms.”

“Many of these technology needs, or gaps, are best addressed collaboratively by industry so that we can develop some common approaches and solutions for greater consistency and improved reliability, while continuing the drive for increased functionality on smaller, more highly integrated packages,”  continued Bader. “With this workshop, we will begin the process of defining key collaborative efforts and setting priorities to address the most pressing needs.”

“As the trade association advancing MEMS across global markets, MIG is pleased to support iNEMI’s MEMS workshop,” said Karen Lightman, managing director of MIG.  “MEMS is in the mainstream - therefore it is critical that the industry have forums such as this workshop, to address technology and manufacturing challenges to MEMS commercialization.”

Registration
Registration is US$300 before August 12, and $350 after August 12.  MIG members receive a discount of US$100 off the registration cost, and iNEMI members are free. For additional information, and to register, go to http://www.inemi.org/events/mems-workshop

About MIG
MEMS Industry Group (MIG) is the trade association advancing MEMS across global markets. MIG enables the exchange of non-proprietary information among members; provides reliable industry data that furthers the development of MEMS technology; and works toward the greater commercial development and use of MEMS and MEMS-enabled devices. 120 companies comprise MIG, including Analog Devices, Applied Materials, Robert Bosch GmbH, Cambridge NanoTech, EV Group, Freescale Semiconductor, Fries Research & Technology GmbH (FRT), GLOBALFOUNDRIES, HP, Intel, MEMS Vision, memsstar, Movea, SPTS Technologies, Semefab, and Texas Instruments. For more information, visit http://www.memsindustrygroup.org.

About iNEMI
The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative’s mission is to forecast and accelerate improvements in the electronics manufacturing industry for a sustainable future.  This industry-led consortium is made up of approximately 100 manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and consortia, government agencies and universities.  iNEMI roadmaps the needs of the electronics industry, identifies gaps in the technology infrastructure, establishes implementation projects to eliminate these gaps (both business and technical), and stimulates standards activities to speed the introduction of new technologies.  The consortium also works with government agencies, universities and other funding agencies to set priorities for future industry needs and R&D initiatives.  iNEMI is based in Herndon, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.), with regional offices in Shanghai, China; Limerick, Ireland; and Tokyo, Japan.  For additional information about iNEMI, go to http://www.inemi.org.

For further information:
Cynthia Williams
+1 207-871-1260
cwilliams@inemi.org