Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Mobile Phone Execs Explore Safer Cars, Smaller Cell Phones, Hardier Laptops at MEMS Executive Congress

Market Wire, October, 2006

Microelectromechanical Systems, or "MEMS," are tiny machines that combine intelligent sensing and semiconductor circuitry to improve the functionality, cost and flexibility of a range of electronic systems. At the annual MEMS Executive Congress, to be held November 5-7, 2006 in Scottsdale, Ariz., innovators in mobile phone, game console and laptop technology and leaders in automotive safety will gather with luminaries from the MEMS manufacturing world to explore how advancements in MEMS technology will improve the way we live.

From accelerometers that freeze a laptop's or cell phone's hard drive upon impact and gyroscopes that shut off home appliances to interactive MEMS sensors that detect a game player's mood and radio frequency (RF) MEMS that improve performance in mobile phones, MEMS solves problems once addressed by legions of separate components. Fewer parts translates to smaller size, lower cost and simplified design, benefiting manufacturers facing an increasingly competitive marketplace. MEMS also offers greater flexibility to manufacturers than many other semiconductor products, allowing multiple generations of products to be based on the same MEMS device.

Hosted by the MEMS Industry Group (MIG), the MEMS Executive Congress offers a keynote by Jaguar & Land Rover, which uses MEMS technology extensively throughout its product line.

"Everything from the velvety smooth ride of the Jaguar to the radar-assisted cruise control that helps keep a safe distance from the car ahead, performance, quality, safety and reliability are all dependent on MEMS," said Gerard Lancaster, Senior Manager, Chassis Electronics for Jaguar & Land Rover and a keynote speaker at the MEMS Executive Congress. "We are pleased to be part of this important industry gathering to drive greater awareness and further advances in MEMS technology."

The MEMS Executive Congress also offers several panel presentations, in which application and systems manufacturers will sit side by side with members of the MEMS industry:

--  MEMS Automotive -- Saving Lives while Gaining Market Share;
--  Mobile Phones -- More Capability, Less Space;
--  MEMS Consumer Electronics -- Where Cost Matters; and
--  Benefits and Costs of Doing MEMS Business in Emerging Markets.
    

"MEMS has become the common denominator in systems that have gone way beyond the airbag, systems in which they are now ubiquitous," said Ellen McDevitt, Executive Director, MEMS Industry Group. "The Executive Congress provides a unique forum through which the innovators in our industry can exchange ideas and new technologies with manufacturers, who will gain a greater understanding of the ways in which MEMS can enhance their products' capabilities."

Sponsors of the MEMS Executive Congress include EV Group, SUSS MicroTec and SAES Getters S.p.A., leaders in technologies that improve MEMS manufacturing. MEMS Investor's Journal is the media sponsor of the event.

For More Information

The MEMS Executive Congress will be held November 5-7, 2006 at the Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa located in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information on attending the event, please contact MIG at 412/390-1644, email info@memsindustrygroup.org , or visit The MEMS Executive Congress at: www.memscongress.com . For press and analyst registration, please contact Catherine Marenghi, Emerge PR, 617/729-3172, cmarenghi@emergepr.com .

About MEMS Industry Group

MEMS Industry Group (MIG) is the trade association representing the MEMS and microstructures industries. The Association enables the exchange of non-proprietary information among members; provides reliable industry data that furthers the development of technology; and works with legislators, policymakers and others toward the greater commercial development and use of MEMS and MEMS-enabled devices. MIG is comprised of over 70 member companies, including Texas Instruments, Bosch, Freescale Semiconductor, IBM, and GE Global Research. For more information, please visit www.memsindustrygroup.org

PRESS CONTACTS (For Editors Only): MEMS Industry Group Ellen McDevitt Phone: 412/390-1644 Email: Email Contact Emerge PR Catherine Marenghi Phone: 617/729-3172 Email: Email Contact