Engineering:Microsystem

Microsystem is the name commonly used in Europe to describe the same technology which goes under the name MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) in the US. In Japan, this field is often termed micromachines.

Microsystems are miniaturized (silicon or polymer) devices which perform electrical and non-electronic functions: typically sensing and actuation. Typical microsystems have mechanical parts, like microbridges in RF switches or bending cantilevers in atomic force microscopes (AFMs); electrical parts like piezoresistors in airbag sensors or capacitors in pressure sensors; or thermal, optical and fluidic structures like heaters and nozzles in inkjet printer or flow sensors. In biomicrosystems (BioMEMS), biomolecules, cells or microbeads, attaching to them, are handled by fluidic streams, magnetic and electric fields, thermal gradients etc. In chemical microsystems operations like sample pretreatment, separation and detection can be integrated on microchips. More complex processes such as DNA sequencing, DNA synthesis or directed molecular evolution have also been integrated in such systems. This field is also known as microfluidics or lab-on-a-chip. Today it is possible to build up microsystems without any tooling needed by computer-aided direct parallel batch processing technologies called RMPD Rapid Micro Product Development.

Microsystems with advanced capabilities and own intelligence are commonly referred to as smart systems.

'Microsystem' is also a term for systems of acupuncture points that are typically not located on the 'meridians' such points tend to cluster on.

'Clinical Microsystems' is also a term used to describe a small group of people who work together on a regular basis to provide care to a group of people. A clinical microsystem can range from simple to vastly complex.

See also

• Microfabrication
• Transducers
• Clinical Microsystems

Journals

• Journal of Micro and Nanotechnique
• Microsystem Technologies, published by Springer Publishing, Journal homepage

Books

(2004) Geschke, Klank & Telleman, eds.: Microsystem Engineering of Lab-on-a-chip Devices, 1st ed, John Wiley & Sons . ISBN:3-527-30733-8.