Originally Published MPMN March 2003
INDUSTRY NEWS
MEMS Design Challenge Kicks Off |
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| A CAD design of a nozzle array along with an image of the device that was fabricated using MEMGen's micromanufacturing technology is shown here. |
Think small, and you could win a cash prize of $10,000 as well as a prototype of your device. MEMGen Corp. (Burbank, CA, USA), developer of a micromanufacturing technology that enables the accelerated design of miniature devices using common 3-D CAD software tools, has launched the 3-D MEMS Design Challenge. Described as the world's first microdevice design contest, the competition is open to anyone with a commercial or research interest in the design, manufacture, or use of miniature devices.
The top three entries will be awarded prototypes of their designs and cash prizes of $10,000, $5000, and $2500. The first-place winner will also receive a SolidWorks Office 2003 3-D CAD package.
The contest's raison d'être is to draw attention to the company's EFAB technology that simplifies the design of miniature devices. "Before we invented EFAB micromanufacturing technology, truly 3-D designs were cumbersome, constrained, and impractical," says MEMGen president and CEO Vacit Arat. "Microdevices could only be created by experts using exotic silicon micromachining techniques, and even then, it took a long time. EFAB technology enables a straightforward and intuitive design process," says Arat. The devices can be fabricated in a matter of weeks using the firm's automated system, he adds. The technology's medical applications include minimally invasive surgical instruments, molds for microfluidic products, pumps and valves, and implantable and drug-delivery devices.
The submissions will be judged by a panel of independent industry experts based on design novelty, the creative use of 3-D software, and commercial utility. Entries must be submitted to MEMGen by April 15; winners will be announced on May 1. The first 25 entrants will receive a nonspecified gift. For complete rules and entry information, go to www.memgen.com.
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