Nearly all major categories of MEMS have seen, or may soon see, applications in consumer products, reports In-Stat. As a result, the worldwide MEMS market in consumer electronics will grow from US$727 million in 2006 to over US$1 billion by 2009, the high-tech market research firm says. MEMS will expand to a broad array of consumer applications including game consoles, portable consumer electronics devices (such as digital camcorders), and GPS devices.

"In the longer term, MEMS memory, MEMS fuel cells, and other types of MEMS devices could also join the list," says Steve Cullen, In-Stat analyst. "However, these technologies are expected to initially find usage in other product areas that are less cost sensitive, with application in consumer electronics products unlikely until after 2010."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Pressure sensors have the greatest potential in consumer electronics in the short-term, followed by microphones and displays.
• At least two firms are introducing MEMS resonators and oscillators with the intention of taking a piece of the long established crystal market.
• MEMS Microphones have been a recent success because of rapid adoption in the mobile handset market where their small size, ease of handling, and competitive price has resulted in double-digit market share.

The research, "MEMS - Making a Move in the Consumer Electronics Market", covers the market for several types of MEMS devices in a wide variety of consumer products. It includes revenue and unit shipment forecasts for MEMS in consumer electronics products through 2010. It provides extensive analysis of the drivers and barriers for MEMS in several consumer electronics categories. For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit:
http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/e5uu0HWMdu0K560E3Ss0A6