Today, the room is small, about 1,300 square feet. Some of the equipment in the laboratory looks a little dated, although laboratory technicians still use the equipment each day for their research. In his mind, Nordin looks ahead a few months and sees something different. He sees new equipment covered with clear plastic, waiting to be used. Nordin looks a little farther more into the future.
Laboratory technicians peer through microscopes at devices smaller than the width of a human hair.
Nearby are optical and electron beam lithography equipment. Chances are good this four-letter acronym is not recognized by many people, because the technology remains in the genesis of its development. Scientists, however, claim MEMS could become a hallmark 21st century manufacturing technology with numerous applications and a profound impact on everything from aerospace to biotechnology. Based on products in existing markets, experts say the figures will be higher as new applications are discovered. Dealing with devices on such a small scale requires facilities that are closely monitored for microscopic particles of dirt and dust.