Terry A. Michalske

Surface and Interface Sciences, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM

Integrated Microsystems: Let's not miss the boat again.

The microelectronics industry has had a huge impact on the world economy and our individual way of life. Even though materials like silica and silicon nitride are key to these devices, the ceramics community has had only peripheral involvement in this exciting growth area. The next revolution in microsystems promises devices that are able to think, act and sense. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance health care, industrial process control, public safety, and national security. Next generation microsystem will require an even broader range of materials than do current microelectronic devices and the ceramics community has an opportunity to insert itself as a key player in this newly developing technology. Success will require a proactive approach that couples our best >scientists and technologist with the overall goals of the microsystem community. >