MEMS Modeling Workshop Draws Specialists and Vendors

The MEMS Modeling Workshop, the first in a series organized by the MEMS Alliance, was held at NIST on Oct. 20, 2000. During the day-long workshop, organizations that specialize in the development of simulation tools for modeling MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) presented overviews and demonstrations of their software tools. These organizations included Microcosm, Ansys, CFDRC, MEMScap, and Intellisense. The workshop also included an introductory talk by the DARPA Composite CAD Program Manager, Anantha Krishnan. This workshop was the first ever held where all of the companies specializing in MEMS simulation tools were brought together so that MEMS specialists could learn about, compare, and provide comments on the products by interacting with the vendors.

MEMS modeling/simulation efforts allow the exploration and optimization of new device designs in a very cost-effective manner. The MEMS Modeling Workshop was highly successful, drawing approximately 50 attendees from local universities, government laboratories, and companies. Attendees stated that "the workshop was a big success," and that it also provided a "great chance to network."

The MEMS Alliance was created in an effort to bring together companies, universities, and government laboratories in the Washington, D.C., area to create a group that networks expertise, capabilities, and research to facilitate the development of new applications, commercialization, and standards for MEMS technologies. The alliance works to organize workshops and seminars, as well as to develop fabrication networks and promote collaborative research.