The tremendous success of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) in automotive safety applications has enabled MEMS developers to design devices for the aerospace, defense and consumer electronics markets. Their small size, low cost, minimal power consumption and reliability are driving high-performance electronics into areas they literally did not fit into - until now.

"MEMS devices are saving lives on highways throughout the industrialized world in a number of automotive applications," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Mike Valenti. "These applications leverage MEMS devices when installed in trucks, buses, and sedans."

The first and largest automotive application yet for MEMS is the accelerometer. It senses potentially hazardous driving conditions and commands micro-controllers to deploy airbags. More recently, MEMS-based tire pressure and temperature monitoring systems are helping to reduce blowouts. These applications indicate an increased dependence and signal satisfactory growth for MEMS devices.

Despite its multiple benefits, obtaining the necessary funding for MEMS development is a challenge due to the history of the technology. Companies hyped MEMS as a revolution in electronics in the early 1990s. When the promised change failed to materialize in the latter part of the decade, interest waned and investors became wary.

"The largest source of funding for MEMS technologies appears to be internal R&D," notes Valenti. "This follows the classic investment route of newer technologies, and shows not only the conservatism of investors, but also their desire to have as much control of their new technology as possible, at least during the development phase."

The key to recovering internal R&D funding is to determine applications where MEMS devices or components can play a useful, better, or indispensable role. Many companies do this successfully by maintaining close relationships with their end-users.

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