Seminar covers latest developments in optical switching and MEMS

Optical Switching and MEMS Applications: Progress & Usage," a Technology Seminar covering the latest developments in MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology with immediate focus on commercial applications and research developments, will be held May 31 and June 1 in Los Angeles.

The Technology Seminar Series is being launched in an effort to fill the need for educational opportunities in MEMS and other emerging technology fields. The goal is for ASME to be the conduit that brings together a variety of MEMS professionals to promote the development of these unique and promising technologies, which combine biomedical, chemical, electrical, electronic, fluids, material, mechanical and optical engineering disciplines.

Extensive applications for MEMS devices exist in both commercial and defense systems.

A micrograph of one manufacturer's version of a radio frequency switch, a MEMS system that could be used in the transmission of audio signals, is pictured here.

Commercially speaking, there is growing excitement about the role of MEMS in the all-optical network of the future, and MEMS-based photonic switches are forecast to be the first MEMS device to surpass the $1 billion mark by 2004, say market researchers from Cahners In-Stat Group. That will boost the overall market for MEMS to $7 billion by 2004, experts predict.

One problem with fiber optics is that the only way to switch incoming lines with outgoing lines is to turn the optical signals (wavelengths of light) into electrical signals, which computers understand.

The only practical way to do that is to use micromachines. Demand for optical switching has precipitated a worldwide research and development race to develop a satisfactory technology for all-optical and next-generation OEO devices. Eventually, such devices will greatly increase the speed of optical networks and lower the cost of sending data.

This highly focused seminar will combine discussion of technological innovations in optical switching systems with innovations in manufacturing, and the business and market demands of the industry.

Over two days, established and start-up optical system vendors, engineers, researchers and end-users will present emerging technologies and discuss opportunities and challenges in the optical market. The goal of the workshop is "to discuss the demand for optical networks, the role of switches, where MEMS switching fits in, the market potential and what hurdles must still be overcome." Participants will be encouraged to interact with each other and with the experts throughout the workshop.

Those who should attend this seminar include electrical, mechanical and software engineers, corporate officers, research and development staff, technology and product managers, developers, manufacturers, key end-users, and suppliers.

After welcoming remarks by Roger Moore, a project manager at Boeing, the keynote speaker will be Peter Gwynne, freelance writer and former science editor of News-week. Among the speakers is David J. Bishop, head of the Micromechanics Research Department of Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies, USA, who will talk about "How MEMS Will Change the Engineer's Way of Working in the Future." He will discuss how and why he believes that MEMS is likely to be a disruptive technology for lightwave systems and substantially change the system engineer's bag of tools.

The cost to attend the series will be $795 for ASME members, $895 for nonmembers. Attendees will earn 1.4 Continuing Education Units.

More information is available at www.asme.org/pro_dev/ce2/MEMS.html, or by contacting Brandy Smith at (212) 591-7413, e-mail: smithb@asme.org.

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