WORKING THE BUGS OUT: A spider mite creeps across a microlock mechanism developed at Sandia National Laboratories.

Sandia National Laboratories and a Michigan business incubator have formed a partnership to foster the transfer of advanced MEMS technology from the lab to the home and office. Ardesta of Ann Arbor, MI, has received a nonexclusive license to manufacture and sell products using a unique Sandia process. Called Summit, the technology is an advanced five-level polysilicon surface micromachining process that produces highly reliable and complex MEMS devices, Sandia claims.

Ardesta describes itself as an "industry accelerator" that invests in start-ups, supports them with business and technical backing, and develops publications, Web sites, and trade shows. "I look forward to working with Sandia to advance the entire industry of microsystems," says Rick Snyder, Ardesta's CEO. "Through this alliance we can take intellectual property out of the laboratory and create commercial success much faster than if we were each working independently."

"This new partnership is key to the commercialization of MEMS and microsystems devices--something we see as important to our national security mission," asserts David Williams, director of Sandia's microsystems, science, technology, and components center. "Before we can use MEMS and microsystems in critical weapons systems, it must be shown they are manufacturable and reliable. The best way to demonstrate this is...to use them in everyday products. Ardesta will make this happen."