Current projects are being showcased to potential partners Sept. 20 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Microsensors are instruments that detect their surroundings, bringing the senses of sight, smell, touch and hearing to devices. Applications include scanning the atmosphere for toxic gases. Logic circuits contain millions of transistors with features as small as a virus, and permit devices to think and act upon what they detect. Photonics incorporates light into microdevices by relying on the ability of compound semiconductors to efficiently emit light.
Light is useful in detection schemes and in signaling a change of state.
Micromachines can be fabricated from a variety of materials. Sandia is advancing a novel plating and molding technology that uses the penetrating power of synchrotron radiation. With it, parts can be made from ceramic, polymer, and even permanent micromagnets. These cutting-edge innovations and applications will be unveiled at the show for technology experts and researchers from academia, government, and industry leaders. Lockheed Martin Corp. With main facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Livermore, Calif., Sandia has major research and development responsibilities in national security, energy, and environmental technologies.