According to a new technical market research report, MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS (MEMS) TECHNOLOGY: CURRENT AND FUTURE MARKETS, the value of the global market for microelectromechanical systems is an estimated $7.6 billion in 2009, but is expected to increase to $13.2 billion in 2014, for a 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%.
 
Microfluidic MEMS were the largest segment of the market in 2008, with a market share of more than 47%. Microfluidic MEMS’ importance reflects large sales of microfluidic MEMS inkjet heads, which totaled $2.7 billion, or almost 38% of the global MEMS market in 2008. MEMS pressure sensors accounted for more than 11% of the market in 2008 and optical MEMS more than 10%.
 
Projected average annual growth rates in the microfluidics, pressure sensing and optical MEMS segments, however, are generally lower than those of other types of MEMS and, as a result, these segments are expected to lose market share between 2008 and 2014. Accelerometers are expected to be the second-largest MEMS market segment (after microfluidics MEMS) by 2014, with more than 20% of the market. Gyroscopic, RF, and chemical and gas MEMS also are projected to gain market share between 2008 and 2014, while pressure sensors and optical MEMS lose share.
 
MEMS are devices that integrate mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics on a common silicon substrate, and typically have dimensions in the 1-micron to 100-micron range (1 micron equals 1 millionth of a meter). These devices are sometimes also referred to as microsystems, especially in Europe.
 
They have proven to be a key enabling technology of developments in sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, and healthcare, but the range of MEMS applications covers nearly every sector. The most significant advantage of MEMS is their ability to communicate easily with semiconductor chips. Other advantages include MEMS’ compact size, reduced power consumption, lower cost, and increased reliability.
 
The growth in the use of MEMS has also led to the creation of supporting industries in areas such as MEMS design software, design services, specialty fabrication equipment, and fabrication facilities.
The report is intended especially for entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, and other readers with a need to know where the MEMS market is headed in the next 5 years. Other readers who should find the report particularly valuable include MEMS marketing executives and government officials associated with the National Nanotechnology Initiative and other state-level programs to promote the development of the nanotechnology industry.

Details of the new report, table of contents and ordering information can be found on Electronics.ca Publications' web site. View the report: Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Technology: Current and Future Markets.