Micro systems-based products are a key value-adding element for many sectors of industry — and the predicted nanotechnology future will also be largely delivered by micro technologies. While the late 20th century saw a silicon-based micro electronics revolution, the 21st century looks forward to the adoption of micro and nano manufacturing technologies as the demand for function and length scale integrations increases continuously on the way to bridging the gap between the nano and the macro worlds.
The existing imbalance between the ease with which batch-fabricated micro components and micro systems can be produced in silicon compared to the difficulties and costs associated with their manufacture in other materials hinders the introduction of new micro systems- based products into the market. Although there may be commercial advantages to leveraging the present suite of IC-based processes
and materials, they will not be able to meet the demands of emerging products for 3D and high aspect ratio structures, enhanced-force micro actuation, improved environmental resistance, high precision, and unification and standardisation. To broaden the range of micro systems- based products and to simultaneously multiply their capabilities requires the integration of new materials and precision engineering technologies for their processing with IC-based, batch-fabrication processes. While these are the major challenges in developing new products they also offer promising research and development areas for innovation and opportunities for value creation.
Therefore the main goal of the 4M Conference series is to provide a forum for experts from industry and academia to share the results of their research in an open, friendly and rewarding environment and in so doing to advance the creation of micro manufacturing capabilities that can take advantage of the opportunities described above, such as:
• Product miniaturisation through innovative integration and development of knowledge-based technologies and production concepts (especially micro and nano) for the processing of non- silicon materials;
• Prediction of product and process performance to reduce/manage the risk during product development and production, and to reduce time to market for the next generation of micro systems- based products;
• Future product platforms to meet the requirements of the next generation of micro systems-based products, and of more stringent regulations and environmental legislation;
• Production scale-up to ensure effective and efficient transfer of product and technology ideas from laboratories to serial production.
Conference Theme
Papers will mostly present original research and development in processes and process chains for multi-material nano/micro/meso scale manufacture, in particular but not limited to:
• Components: fabrication technologies and process chains
• Systems: novel product designs and assembly technologies
• Process modelling and simulation
• Process characterisation including process chains
• Metrology: online monitoring and inspection systems/methods
• Materials: processing and characterisation of smart materials and material related issues in micro and nano scale
The Conference also features invited special sessions focused on the latest technology and application advances achieved in major international funded projects. The conference will be chaired by Prof. Massimiliano Annoni, Politecnico di Milano and the co-chairs will be Dr. Irene Fassi, CNR-ITIA, Prof. Gloria Wiens, University of Florida and Prof. Stefan Dimov, University of Birmingham, UK.
The Elena Ulieru Innovation Award
In memory of Elena Ulieru, SITEX, in cooperation with the 4M Association will offer a prize at 4M/ICOMM15, for the best paper by a young female scientist entitled “The Elena Ulieru Innovation Award”. Elena was an active partner of the 4M Network of Excellence (NoE) and also a very successful author, who contributed papers in the 4M Conferences. Elena initiated the research activities for monitoring systems development and implementation for medical, environment and ICT communications technologies.
Last year the winner of the award was Bita Daemi of KTH Royal Institute of Technology for her paper “Performance Evaluation of Laser Micro- Machining Installations”.
The selection procedure will be in accordance with conference topics, looking for future-oriented ideas for innovative micro manufacturing of sensors, micro systems and measuring technology with clearly discernible market relevance.
Conditions of participation, forms and further selection information can be found on the site of 4M Association Conference 2015 together with the conference information package.
www.4m-association.org/conference/2015