MMC Activities

Activities of the Micromachine Center in Fiscal 2000
I. Investigations and Research on Micromachines
1. The AIST Industrial Science and Technology Frontier Program"Micromachine Technology" (delegated to MMC by the New Energyand Industrial Technology Development Organization [NEDO])

5. R&D on Micromachine Materials (joint research with theMechanical Engineering Laboratory of AIST)The following activities were conducted: (1) Research on the operating environments
for micro-functional elements; (2) research on micromachine materials; and (3) feasibility
studies on micromachine materials.

To achieve the goal of the basic plan for R&D (Phase II), research delegated to MMC
was actively promoted after pre-final evaluation of this project.

6. Investigation of R&D Trends in Micromachine Technology inJapan and Abroad(1) Development of Advanced Maintenance Technologies for PowerPlants

Review surveys of the latest development centering on international conferences.

q R&D of systematization technology (Experimental wireless micromachines for inspection
on inner surface of tubes)
A final experimental system was produced. In metal tubes with curved sections, thissystem is able to move forward, backward, horizontally and vertically, stop optionally, andrecognize its surroundings, as well as detect tube defects.
w R&D of systematization technology (Experimental chain-type micromachines forinspection on outer surface of tubes)
R&D of systematization technology was conducted through the production of anexperimental micromachine system composed of a group of machines capable of combining
or separating according to the form of the object to be inspected.
e R&D of systematization technology (Experimental catheter-type micromachine for repair
in narrow complex areas)
R&D of systematization technology was conducted through production of anexperimental micromachine system capable of entering the equipment of various structuresand performing measurements or repairing minute internal flaws.
r R&D of functional device technologies
R&D was conducted to promote micronization, high performance, and multifunctionalization of functional devices with highly advanced micromachine technology.
t R&D of common basic technologies
R&D was conducted on common basic technologies such as technologies for control,measurement, design, and evaluation necessary for realizing micromachine systems.
y Comprehensive investigation and researchComprehensive investigation and research of maintenance micromachines necessary
for maintaining future power plants was conducted.

7. Activities incidental to other Investigative R&D
Holding of R&D Section meetings, Investigative Research Section meetings, anddepartmental and general research meetings.

II. Collection and Provision of Micromachine Informationq Collection and storage of information and documents on micromachines
w Maintenance and expansion of the MMC library, with all information listed in a databasee Publication of a periodical, "Micromachine Index" (published 8 times in FY 2000)
r Publication of a newsletter (on research and administration trends and the like)t Methods for transmitting data via Internet homepages, such as database construction anddata management operations, were considered.

III. Exchange and Cooperation with Worldwide Organizations
Involved with Micromachines
1. Research Grants for Micromachine Technology (12 themes in total)
Six new themes and six themes carried over from FY 1999

2. Participation in International Symposiums and Dispatching Missions
q Participation in µTAS 2000(the Netherlands) and ISAP 2000 (Glasgow, the UnitedKingdom) in May 2000
w Participation in SPIE 2000 Symposium (Santa Clara, U.S.A.) in September 2000
e Participation in IWMF' 2000 (Freibourg, Switzerland) in October 2000
r Participation in The 2000 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress &Exposition (Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.) in November 2000
t Participation in MEMS 2001 (Interlaken, Switzerland) in January 2001

3. The 6th Micromachine Summit (Hiroshima, April 10-12, 2000)
4. The 6th International Micromachine Symposium (November 9-10,2000)(2) Development of Micro-Factory Technology
q R&D of experimental micro processing and assembly system
R&D was promoted on systematization technology, suggesting its effectiveness, bycompleting the production of the second experimental system for processing andassembling, capable of manufacturing models of small parts.
w Comprehensive investigation and researchComprehensive investigation and research was conducted on micromachinetechnology that is capable of performing leading investigative research, and that is expected
to be put to practical use in the field of production. In addition, MMC conducted joint
research with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (formerThe Electrotechnical Laboratory of AIST on enhancing the performance of micro-electronguns for beam processing.

Held at Tokyo Science Hall; jointly sponsored by MMC and the Japan Industrial
Technology Association.

(3) R&D on Micromachine Technology

The Round Robin Test started in FY 2000. In connection with this program, joint
research with the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory of AIST was conducted.

5. Overseas Seminars
q European Seminars in Poland, Austria and Switzerland in September 2000
w Asian Seminars in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in November 2000

IV. Micromachine Standardization
1. International Standardization Program for Assisting New
Industries "Standardization of Quality Characteristic Measurement
Evaluation for Micromachine Materials" (delegated to MMC by theNew Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization[NEDO])

q Research on micromachine systems
In the medical field, R&D on miniaturization and the multi-functionality of micro-laser
catheters and micro-tactile sensor catheters was promoted. R&D was also conducted on
micro scanning imaging units.
w Comprehensive investigation and researchComprehensive investigation and research was carried out on the applications ofmicromachine systems to the medical field. In conjunction with the AIST MechanicalEngineering Laboratory, MMC also conducted research on micromachine basic design andmanufacturing technologies.

2. R&D on Standardization
Consideration of the important elements, and the technological issues involved therein,of the Standardization Program established in FY 1998 has moved forward.

V. Dissemination of Information and Education about Micromachines
1. MMC published a public relations magazine, "MICROMACHINE" (published 4times in FY 2000, in both English and Japanese)

2. MMC held the 7th Micromachine Drawing Contest
3. MMC held Micromachine seminars within Japan (in Fukui on September

2. Investigative Research for the Development of Responses to theIndustrialization of Micromachine-based Systems (delegated toMMC by the Japan Machinery Federation)

22,2000 and in Tokushima on February 9,2001)

4. MMC produced videos of the 6th Micromachine Summit, the 6th International

Business models for new businesses incorporating micromachine technology wereconsidered.

5.

3. Investigative Research for the Creation of Systems Incorporating
Next-generation Micromachine Technology (delegated to MMC by
the Mechanical Social Systems Foundation)

6.

Focusing on the industrial sector in particular, we considered the clarification of theroles required of government, academia and industry, and the development of strategies for
micromachine technology R&D.

7.

4. Investigation and Research on the Applicability of Emerging
Technology in Other Fields to Micromachine Technology
8.

Investigative research was conducted to search out emerging technology in various otherfields, to verify its applicability and fusion, and to contribute to its diffusion and promotion.

4Micromachine Symposium, the 11th Micromachine Exhibition, and otherevents
MMC twice organized seminars presenting the results of "Research on theApplicability of Emerging Technology in Other Fields to MicromachineTechnology in FY 1999" (in Tokyo on July 7,2000 and January 12,2001)
MMC hosted a workshop presenting the results of "Research Subjects forthe 6 th Micromachine Technology Research Grants (FY 1998)" on
September 26,2000
MMC assisted in the editing and publishing a booklet directed at high school
students entitled Industry Graph 2001 Number 189: Our Country's
Micromachine
MMC held the 11th Micromachine Exhibition on November 8-10, 2000 at theScience Museum in Tokyo