The Micromachine Summit .....

  In promoting micromachine, variety of issues and problems arise, which we have never experienced before, such as effective R&D, the image of future applications, the creation of new industries and the change of life-style.

  The Micromachine Summit is expected to set a forum in which the distinguished delegates from around the world discuss and exchange their views and opinions about these subjects freely, and to help further development of micromachine throughout the world.

1st Micromachine Summit
Program

March 13-15,1995
YAMASHIRO HALL, THE MIYAKO, Kyoto, JAPAN

Tuesday, March 14

Wednesday, March 15

Australia

• Prof. D. Beanland,
  Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
• Mr. G. Bates, Powernet Victoria
• Mr. E. Vetter, Hella

Canada

• Mr. G Guild,
  Micromachining Technology Centre Ltd.
• Mr. F. Cordeau, Mitel Co.
• Mr. D. Gale, Canadian Microelectronics Co.

France

• Prof. D. Hauden,
  UInstitut des Microtechniques des Franche-comite
• Dr. J. Leclerc, Sextant Avionique
• Dr. D. Randet,LETI/CEA

Germany

• Prof. W. Menz,
  Forschungszentrum Karlsurhe GmbH
• Mr. C. Ehrlich, Jenoptik GmbH
• Dr. O. Holizinger, Robert Bosch GmbH

Italy

• Prof. P. Dario,
  ARTS Lab. Scuola Superiore S.Anna
• Dr. F. Mori, Magneti Marelli Divisione Electronica
• Mr. L. Passaggio, Bieffe Medital S.A.

Japan

• Prof. N. Nakajima,
  The University of Tokyo
• Dr. R. Hara,
  Seiko Instruments Inc.
• Dr. S. Inaba,
  FANUC LTD
• Dr. T. Shimoyama,
  OLYMPUS OPTICAL Co.,Ltd.
• Dr. T. Tanaka,
  NIPPONDENSO Co.,Ltd.

The Netherlands

• Prof. J.H.J. Fluitman,
  University of Twente
• Dr. B. Sastra, Phillips Research Lab. Eindhoven

Switzerland

• Prof. N.F. de Rooij,
  University of Neuchatel
• Mr. P. Fischer, Foundation suisse pour la recherche en microtechnique
• Dr. F. Rudolf, Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA, CSEM

The United Kingdom

• Prof. H. Dorey,
  UK Microengineering Common Interest Group
• Prof. R. Lawes, Daresbury-Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
• Prof. S. Prosser, Lucas Applied Technology Ltd.

The United States of America

• Prof. R.S. Muller,
  University of California
• Mr. J. Giachino, Ford Motor Co.
• Dr. B. Hocker, Honeywell Inc.

2.2 Effective R&D
Much of the Micromachine Technology is at the pre-competitive stage; it includes a wide range of activities, such as processing, assembly, packaging, materials and systems construction. Both National and International exchanges of R&D are important.

2.3 Combining Multidisciplinary Knowledge
The design of a micromachine requires a balanced mix of different disciplines such as electrical and mechanical engineering, electronics, chemistry, biology and materials science. In the research and development stages it is important to exchange information; at the marketing stage exchange between different industries is important.

2.4 Exploiting Applications
Micromachines promise to blaze a trail through a new frontier.
Although their applications are limitless, there are specific applications that will improve the welfare of mankind in every country. Full exploitation requires integration of culture and customs from different professional disciplines, and an infrastructure that serves small and medium sized enterprises.

2.5 Coexistence and Competition with Conventional Technologies
In addition to creating products that have not previously existed, micromachines will improve many products that are in production now. This latter production will account for most of the spread of micromachines in the near future. A good example is the continued evolution of the microprocessor by giving it non-electric signal interfaces.

2.6 Potential New Industries
A feature of micromachine technology is that processing and assembly can be carried out at minute levels of detail, and functional devices implemented. A new processing industry will emerge, based on the processing and assembly technologies; the new manufacturing industry will be based on the many new fields of application.

2.7 Intellectual Property Rights
Technological exchange is the most important issue in advancing micromachine technology. Intellectual property rights protect the inventor but can impede the proliferation of technological applications if they are enforced too strictly by the inventor. The harmonization of the International Intellectual Property Rights system and the early publication of technical information are advisable.

2.8 Standardization
Even though micromachine technology is still in the research and development stage, the process of standardization should be started at the first possible opportunity, this will support research and development and make the best use of both investment and personnel. To this end, international harmonization must be considered as the first principle.

2.9 Role of Government
The establishment of a new technological paradigm for micromachines requires efforts to be directed across a wide range of technical areas and high-risk, long term, research and development. As this technology will benefit on daily lives in every field of human endeavor - industry, society and private life - vigorous support by Government is justified.

2.10 International Relations
As a new multidisciplinary paradigm, Micromachines require the exchange of capabilities distributed widely over many countries. The common understanding that will be achieved through these exchanges will benefit the smooth development of the world economy in all areas of future trade. The establishment of regularly scheduled FORUMS was deemed to be one effective means of maintaining continuous international exchange.

3. After the discussions on these topics were completed, comprehensive discussions were held, with the following conclusions; -

3.1 To expand discussions on future management and policy, similar FORUMS should be held on an on-going basis.

3.2 International cooperation in the field of micromachines requires continuous international exchange to handle a wide range of issues and problems. As a first step, regular and scheduled FORUMS should be held, organized by the representatives from each country.

3.3 Standardization through international cooperation is an urgent issue; the countries involved should begin discussions aimed at standardization work in international standard organizations such as ISO and IEC.

3.4 Advances in the exploitation of applications, in parallel with research and development, will accelerate the research itself; we should begin a study based on cooperation among all the countries involved.

4. This first Summit was held though the efforts of Japan. To ensure the continued promotion of the Micromachine, the participants have decided to hold further Summits on an annual basis. The next Summit will be held in spring,
1996, in Switzerland.