MEPTEC, the MicroElectronics Packaging and Test Engineering Council, is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Beth Pruitt, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University as keynote speaker for its 7th Annual MEMS symposium titled "MEMS Innovation - Growth Engine in Rich and Lean Times" on May 14, 2009.  This special one-day event will take place at the Wyndham Hotel, San Jose, CA.
 
MEMS are ubiquitous in many consumer electronics today, yet despite some of the earliest MEMS research being directed at pressure sensors and electrical probes for in vivo biomedical applications, indwelling devices have not been realized beyond clinical trials yet. The hurdles for in vivo applications include materials biocompatibility, reliability, isolation and communication-in a word, packaging.  In her presentation, "A Look at MEMS for Biology and Medicine", Dr. Pruitt will present a range of applications that require MEMS to operate in biological environments with excellent signal fidelity and reliability and will also review opportunities, needs, and challenges for applying MEMS and microfabrication techniques to fundamental in vitro biology questions as well as translational medical problems.
 
Directly following the keynote presentation, there will be a special report by the MEMS Industry Group (MIG).  "Growth Opportunities for MEMS in a Changing Economy", will be presented by Tina Lamers of axept (representing MIG)
 
In addition to these special presentations, the program has been segmented into the following focus areas:

Enabling Technologies for Microfabrication
Session Chair:  John Heck, Intel
 
There is never a bad time to innovate.  When R&D dollars are scarce, however, accessing complementary enabling technologies from existing companies can be an attractive alternative to developing technologies from scratch.  This session will feature special presentations on some of the most interesting enabling technologies to emerge recently.
 
Innovation in MEMS Materials
Session Chair: Janusz Bryzek, LV Sensors
 
One of the critical elements for growth of many MEMS devices is new materials such as anti-stiction coating on inertial sensors or fatigue-less metal for DLP mirrors.  This session will include presentations discussing different aspects of materials for MEMS.
 
MEMS Innovation as Enabler for Cutting Edge Medical Products
Session Chair:  Sean Cahill, Bridgewave Communications
 
This session will feature leading-edge efforts to utilize microfabricated devices within the body's surroundings to sample, measure, monitor, and repair the human machine, and to accomplish this in unfriendly territory.
           
Consumer MEMS Becoming a Dominant Market Force
Session Chair: Joseph Mallon, axept / Stanford University
 
Current MEMS applications are acting as the sensing and electromechanical technology of choice to allow today's consumer electronics to sense and interact with the environment.  This session will examine these trends and presents several representative applications.

About MEPTEC
MEPTEC (Microelectronics Packaging and Test Engineering Council) is the trade association of semiconductor suppliers and manufacturers, committed to enhancing the competitiveness of the back-end portion of the semiconductor business.  MEPTEC is concerned exclusively with assembly and testing and is dedicated to the advancement of the industry.  Since its inception 30 years ago, MEPTEC has provided a forum for semiconductor packaging and test professionals to learn and exchange ideas that relate to assembly, test and handling.  Through their membership of subcontractors, semiconductor manufacturers and vendors to the back-end, and an advisory board consisting of individuals from different segments of the back-end semiconductor industry, they continuously strive to improve and elevate the roles of assembly and test professionals in the industry.  More information about MEPTEC can be found at www.meptec.org.

Keywords : Association News, North America, MEPTEC Announces Keynote for 7th Annual MEMS Symposium

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