TOPICSµTAS 2002
Since an increase in the number of abstract
submissions accompanied this increase inparticipation, speeches were held in parallelsessions, using the same format employed in theprevious year. As a result of the increase in poster
presentations, 66 oral presentations and 257 poster
presentations were selected from among 460
submissions, equivalent to an approximate 70%
acceptance ratio. Since µTAS is limited in its fields
and has a higher acceptance ratio than that for
MEMS, transducers, and the like, the international
conference is thought to be an excellent opportunity
to learn about the latest trends in the field.
However, while the conference provides many
advantages, such as the possibility to hear
explanations of poster exhibits firsthand from theresearchers, this conferences was mildly
disappointing in that the posters had to be replaced
daily due to the limited exhibition space and visitors
could not view posters at after hours, as is possible
overseas when the conferences are held at hotels, forexample.
The percentages of presentations broken down byregion were 40% from the U.S., 24% from Europe, and
36% from Asia. This distribution was more balanced
than the previous year, when North America
accounted for approximately half of the presentations,due to the effects of the simultaneous terrorist
attacks.
In the early 90s, the application of a sensing
technology using capillary electrophoretic separationand fluorescent light in on-chip DNA analysis set thestage for developments that put µTAS research inthe spotlight. As with last year, there was an
astounding number of presentations on DNA,
proteins, cells, and other matter that originates inorganisms. Further, presentations emphasizing
applications of MEMS devices were more numerous
than those on devices themselves, such as
micropumps.
These trends showed an increase in studies on
performance enhancements in more practical areasof DNA analysis and an increase in cases using actual
samples rather than reference materials andalternate materials. The study trends also revealed ashift from DNA and proteins to cells. One
presentation commented on the production of chips
used for hemanalysis that are developed from layersof plastic molded components. There appears to bea lot of activity in the formation of nanostructures
through a combination of disposable chips andsurface modification, polymer materials and theirprocessing techniques, and device development.
Next year the conference site will shift back toAmerica. µTAS 2003 is scheduled to be held in Squaw
Valley, California, from October 5 to 9, 2003.

µTAS2002 (The 6th Micro Total Analysis Systems
2002 Symposium) was held at Nara New Public Hall in
Nara, Japan, from November 3 to 7, 2002.

Fig. 1 Nara New Public Hall

ParticipantsThis was the sixth holding of the international
conference, which began in 1994 as a small-scale
workshop held in Enschende, Netherlands. Initiallythe conference was held in alternate years, but afterthe year 2000 the conference was switched to anannual format in order to accommodate the increase inparticipants. The number of participants at µTAS
2002 exceeded 700.

800
700
600
500
400
300
20010001994

1996

1998
Year

2000

2002

Fig. 2 Trends in participation

Submissions

500
400
300
200
10002000

2001

2002

Year
Fig. 3 Trends in abstract submissions

5