S. Korea begins full-scale production of MEMS sensor

SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has begun full-scale commercial production
of micro-electronic mechanical system (MEMS) sensors that can greatly bolster
competitiveness in its information technology industry, the government said
Tuesday.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said the state-run Korea Institute for
Electronic Commerce (KIEC) has completed development of a fab manufacturing
process that will allow up to 9,000 8-inch wafers to be produced by 2010.
MEMS integrates mechanical elements, sensors, actuators and electronics on a
common silicon substrate through microfabrication technology, opening new
horizons for super-small, light semiconductor structures.
Experts say the system heralds a whole new generation of "smart" products that
can expand commercial applications of machines in people's everyday lives.
The ministry said the wafer will be initially used to develop improved cleaning
robots and a network of radio frequency identification tag (RFID) and ubiquitous
sensor networks (USN) in the country.
Cleaning robots that can overcome current shortcomings can create a whole new
market fueling production and jobs.
RFID tags use radio waves to quickly provide the location, content and condition
of shipments, products and facilities, while the USN collects information and
sends it to a centralized network to compile data.
This combination, designed to enhance efficiency throughout the manufacturing
process, has considerable application in areas such as heavy industry,
electronics, logistics, medicine, food processing and maintenance.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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