Thesis (S.M.M.O.T.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Management of Technology Program, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 80). / Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) comprise a set of technologies for the micromachining and electromechanical integration of sensors and actuators. MEMS allow for the radical miniaturization of such devices, as well as for significant improvements in performance and cost over conventionally fabricated mechanical and electrical components. In this thesis, I attempt to assess the value inherent in MEMS innovations and to understand how companies have tried to capture that value. In doing so, I assess the pathways and prospects for the commercialization of MEMS-based devices. I have chosen to focus on two classes of devices: (1) micromachined accelerometers for crash sensing and subsequent air bag deployment in automobiles, and (2) microfabricated chemical sensing and analysis devices for detecting and quantifying gas phase molecules, analyzing complex molecular mixtures, and carrying out high throughput screening of chemical compounds. Accelerometers are an example of a MEMS-based sensor that has almost completely displaced existing electromechanical substitute devices. Applications of MEMS to chemical sensing and analysis, however, are less mature and widespread adoption is less assured. In both cases, I evaluate the opportunities in the new technology from several different perspectives: (1) the factors that affect the transition from innovative technologies to marketable products; (2) the economic, market, and strategic forces that influence the adoption of these products; and (3) the business models of companies that have attempted to profit from MEMS innovations. I conclude the thesis with a chapter on potential strategic market barriers to successful commercialization of MEMS-based devices. / by Gary N. Robinson. / S.M.M.O.T.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MIT/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/9534 |
| Date | January 1999 |
| Creators | Robinson, Gary Neil, 1960- |
| Contributors | Edward B. Roberts., Management of Technology Program., Management of Technology Program. |
| Publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Source Sets | M.I.T. Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 80 leaves, 6845926 bytes, 6845688 bytes, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission., http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 |
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