In defence of MEMs

The defence world's need for "deployable, unattended sensor networks" is one of the motivations behind the creation of the MEMs Applications for Defence (MEAD) consortium.  MEAD's remit is, says the press release, to "to take a new approach to developing Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology for defence purposes".

 

QinetiQ is leading the way with a consortium of 13 business, and nine academic partners.  The final member of the party is NPL, the National Physical (not Physics, as QinetiQ's press release has it) Laboratory.

 

The idea is to bring in other parties, including SMEs, "spanning systems integration and MEMS device supply with key groups from the world of academia and research".  It is all down to coming up with technologies that will do things for the Ministry of Defence, which is stumping up some of the £3.2m for the activity over three years.

 

When it comes to sensors, the MoD's wants "small, lightweight, minimal cost military grade sensors that remove the need for expert placement, alignment and recovery". Another need is to "indicate the presence of explosives, so the MEAD Consortium will investigate techniques for sampling air and detecting compounds that warn of the proximity of an explosive device".

 

Another task will be to "research the potential failure modes of MEMS devices. This is a challenging topic given the vast range of device types under investigation, the spectrum of materials and processes used to realise them and the interaction between the MEMS device, and any packaging used to protect it from the environment".

 

QinetiQ also has a mini web site on MEMs. Here we read that MEMs "offer a prosperous future, enabling limitless opportunities in applications as diverse as communications and biotechnology". Well, you can't accuse them of toning down on the hyperbole.