Scope

Micro-manufacturing is now a key value-adding element for many sectors of industry - and the predicted nanotechnology future will also be largely delivered by micro-technologies. The silicon-based microelectronics revolution of the late 20th Century is about to be overtaken in its scope. Micro- and nanomanufacturing technologies in the 21st Century need to be directed to take advantage of the variety of materials, components and knowledge-based technologies now emerging. These provide functionality and intelligence to highly miniaturised systems for personal, portable and wireless products, and sensors for health, environment and transport-related applications. The present suite of micro-technologies alone will not be able to meet the manufacturing demands for high-aspect-ratio structures, enhanced-force micro actuators, improved environmental resistance and high precision micro components. These are the biggest challenges to micro product development that also represent promising research and development areas for innovation and value creation. In this context, the main goal of the Conference is to provide a forum for experts from industry and academia to share the results of their in-depth investigations and engage in interdisciplinary discussions about the creation of manufacturing capabilities for:

o Product miniaturisation through innovative integration and development of knowledge-based technologies and production concepts (especially micro and nano) for processing of non-silicon materials.

o Prediction of product and process performance to reduce/manage the risk during product development and production, and reduce time to market for the next generation of microsystems-based products.

o Future product platforms to meet the requirements of the next generation of microsystems-based products, and of more stringent regulations and environmental legislation.

o Production scale-up to ensure an effective and efficient transfer of product and technology ideas from laboratories to serial production.