Dust that may have eyes and ears

Article Abstract:

MEMS devices are microscopic machines made by means of photolithography. At Berkeley, researchers are developing remote sensing uses for the technology, which they envision as a cloud of dust-sized particles. Such a cloud could monitor a room's temperature or troop movements. Analog Devices is using MEMS a way to further shrink the size of motion detectors, like those used with automobile airbags. A MEMS-equipped cell phone might switch on with shake. Bell Labs seeks to eliminate the need for conversion of optical communications to electrical impulses. Researchers contemplate all-optical MEMS-mirror switches and network switching speeds approaching 1 petabit (1 followed by 15 zeros) per second.

Semiconductors and related devices, Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing, Microprocessor Chips, Statistical Data Included, Semiconductor industry, Microprocessor, CPUs (Central processing units), Microprocessors, Technology overview, Optical communications technologies, Remote sensing, Micromechanics, Micromechanics (Engineering), Motion detectors, Optical communications

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Crowding transistors onto a chip

Article Abstract:

Semiconductor production equipment manufacturers are developing two technologies to succeed the present photolithograpy methods used to fabricate microchips. The industry plans to market 200 million transistor microprocessors by 2005; current chips have 5 to 10 million transistors.The Bell Laboratory project uses a larger electron beam to project the circuit image, a modification researchers hope will overcome the slowness of earlier, more focussed scanning beams. The Intel Corp. program uses extreme ultraviolet radiation and reflective materials to print the circuit. Both projects aim to have prototypes running by 2003. Research is expected to cost $300 million to $500 million industry-wide.

Product development, Special industry machinery, not elsewhere classified, Semiconductor Production Equip, Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing, Methods, Technology development, Semiconductor production equipment industry, Semiconductor production equipment, Ultraviolet radiation, Printed circuit boards, Lithography, Electron beam, Electron beam lithography, Circuit printing

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Vivid colors in the palm of your hand

Article Abstract:

Optical display scientists are developing light emitting polymers that may succeed today's LCD screen, which requires ambient light or backlighting. These flexible thin film displays will have clearer brighter colors. An estimate by Stanford Resources shows the market for these organic light-emitting diodes growing to a $718 million share of a $35 billion flat panel display market, by 2005. Those in the industry see these displays appearing first in mobile phones, then notebook computers, and finally wall size screens.

Electronic components, not elsewhere classified, Other Electronic Component Manufacturing, Electroluminescent Displays, Electronic components industry, Electroluminescent display systems

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