MEMS Industry – What to Expect? Challenges, Predictions, Plans That Might Be Waiting for Us in Future

2D mems mirror

Microelectromechanical systems have become a trend on the modern market together with other micro solutions in optics, scanning, and other sectors. MEMS mirror devices, printers, estimating software, scanners for VR and AR equipment are not the sensation today. This is a new normal we need to get used to right now.

The MEMS industry started to develop in the 1970s. The growth of the market became extremely expressive during this period of time. First, metal-oxide-semiconductor circuity was the main concept for microelectromechanical systems. This way the digital electronics sector progressed and brought new tech solutions.

Expectations and Predictions for the MEMS Industry

In the 21st century, the MEMS industry is notable for the temperature-resistant and compact sensors that are used together with LiDAR technology for the range of devices that improve educational, driving, gaming, and estimating experiences. VR/AR glasses and helmets get the happy blend of laser mirror scanner tech solutions with no need to implement:

  • large-size techniques;

  • numerous equipment units;

  • complicated and expensive software.

But what to expect from the MEMS industry in the future? When the flagship companies aim to configure and improve existing microelectromechanical systems, 80% of manufacturers have been still using bulk methods with no updates. The progress of the MEMS industry is predicted. But the tendency to modernization will not be viral – some corporations will shoot out a lead when others are going to settle for less (old tech solutions that will become outdated in 10-15 years).

The slow development speed of the microelectromechanical system industry is not the only challenge to take into consideration. Let’s take a look at all the possible issues the microsystem sector may face even in a couple of years or tomorrow.

Challenges in the Context of MEMS and Their Development

The list of weak spots and open questions that should be solved as soon as possible is based on the present-day situation with microelectromechanical systems. This is an ever-changing industry, so the range of challenges can lose their edge or go sharper on the contrary. Among the hot-topic issues are:

  1. Poor database for willing companies that are looking forward to MEMS fabrication. Those corporations that are interested in microelectromechanical systems have no information about required facilities for manufacturing, no data entries about the MEMS-based device production and prototyping.

  2. The desire of the market players to produce MEMS fast. Some companies neglect some manufacturing stages to hit the marketplace quicker. For example, some producers do not initiate simulation processes and miss modeling checks. Any mistakes and inaccuracies lead to the improper MEMS laser scanner or any MEM-based device behavior.

  3. Packaging is a real challenge because MEMS is still fragile tech items for transportation. It is necessary to develop some special packaging format to protect microsystems from external effects.

  4. Training and onboarding activities are far from ideal when it comes to MEMS. The number of specialists is rather small. It is essential to share all the information about MEMS on the Internet and improve the skillset of incompetent experts. This challenge should be solved as soon as possible because the range of MEMS-based devices is growing day by day.

One more risky prediction for microelectromechanical systems is the probability of monopoly in Europe. Cooperation and communication between European experienced scientists and American or Asian specialists is very poor. It is recommended to initiate some kind of foundation to unite all the experts together for better MEMS standardization and a richer knowledge base.