Abstract
INTRODUCTION
MEMS, biochips, and nano-sensors (referred to collectively in this report as
microsensors) are one of the fastest growing technology areas, with sales of
more than $2.5 billion in 2007 and expected to grow at a compound annual
growth rate (CAGR) of 21.7% between 2008 and 2013.
Microsensors have proven to be a key enabling technology of developments in
sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, and health care, but the
range of microsensors applications covers nearly every sector. The most
significant advantage of microsensors is their ability to communicate easily
with semiconductor chips. Other advantages include microsensors' compact size,
reduced power consumption, lower cost, and increased reliability. The growth
in the use of microsensors has also led to the creation of supporting
industries in areas such as design software, design services, specialty
fabrication equipment, and fabrication facilities.
The range of microsensor products and applications has grown rapidly in the
past few years, but it is important to avoid "hyping" their prospects.
Although some types of microsensors (airbag accelerometers, for example) have
had great commercial success, other types (such as most types of nanosensors)
have at least so far failed to live up to their proponents' expectations.
Still other technologies are still at the discovery and development stages,
and their eventual commercialization will require the commitment of
substantial resources, with long payback periods and substantial financial
risk.
To the extent that hype results in exaggerated investor expectation, it can
divert investment from microsensor technologies that have real commercial
potential. In the worst case, disappointed expectations can lead to a
drying-up of investment funds, similar to the one that occurred in the dot-com
sector after 2000.
This report takes a hard look at the market for microsensors and tries to
provide a road map to the technologies and applications that are likely to
enjoy the greatest commercial success in the years through 2013.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This report contains:
- Descriptions of various types of microsensors including
microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), biochips and nanosensors
- The current global market status for microsensors, with trends and
forecasts for growth over the next 5 years
- Current and developmental microsensor technologies and applications
- Discussion of the challenges that must be overcome for each market segment
to reach its potential
- Company profiles.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
The methodologies and assumptions used to develop the market projections in
this report are discussed at length under Detailed Market Estimates and
Projections. The report carefully documents data sources and assumptions. This
way, readers can see how the market estimates were developed and, if they so
desire, test the impact on the final numbers of changing assumptions such as
price.
The third phase focused on quantifying the potential market for each
short-listed microsensor technology and identifying the main prerequisites for
commercial success.
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