Originally Published MPMN November 2005

INDUSTRY NEWS

Joint Research Project Focuses on Miniaturization

Corinne Litchfield

A ceramic motor manufacturer has joined forces with a nonprofit group to produce working prototypes of highly miniaturized products. New Scale Technologies (Victor, NY; www.newscaletech.com) has announced a joint research project with Infotonics Technology Center Inc. (Canandaigua, NY; www.infotonics.org) to create products that integrate New Scale’s miniature piezoelectric Squiggle motor with Infotonics’ microsystems technology.

The companies will work together to further miniaturize the motor technology and integrate it into modules for specific high-potential commercial markets, including medical. Potential medical applications include drug-delivery modules and pumps for microfluidic systems. The devices would be small enough to be implanted in a patient, and nonmagnetic to be safe for use in and near MRI systems.

“We are pleased to provide the microsystem research facilities and expertise to help New Scale further miniaturize and commercialize its innovative technologies,” said Infotonics’ CEO David R. Smith. “If successful, this initiative could certainly help drive economic growth in our region.”

The Infotonics Technology Center Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that operates New York State’s Center of Excellence in Photonics and Microsystems. The organization is structured as a consortium whose founding participants include Corning Inc., Eastman Kodak Co., and Xerox Corp. Academic participants include some 20 New York state colleges and universities.

Copyright ©2005 Medical Product Manufacturing News