The Next Decade of MEMS Manufacturing Evolution – A View from The World’s Largest Pure-Play MEMS Foundry
ABSTRACT
This talk from Silex Microsystems shares a view of the future of MEMS and Sensors manufacturing over the next decade. With MEMS and Sensors continuing to expand in traditional markets such as automotive, consumer electronics, and health care, MEMS foundries must evolve to provide advanced fabrication technology capabilities as well as higher volume manufacturing. Several examples of how MEMS foundries must support these trends will be presented.
Even more exciting are the manufacturing technologies needed to propagate MEMS into the fastest growing and new markets, such as telecom, augment reality and virtual reality (AR/VR), quantum, photonics, and especially artificial intelligence (AI). This talk includes a discussion of how MEMS Manufacturing equipment, processes, and materials must continue to advance and meet the ever-expanding world of MEMS.
Lastly, Dr. Kalvesten will share his perspectives on:
- Pure play vs. standard platform (PDK) MEMS foundry models
- How geopolitical situations have, and will continue to, impact foundry operations and strategic planning
- What industry leaders need to do to lead and support MEMS development and manufacturing transformations over the next decade
BIOGRAPHY
Edvard Kälvesten, PhD in MEMS, is the CEO and Founder of Silex, the world’s leading Pure-Play MEMS Foundry. Originating from Edvard’s PhD research at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Silex has since grown into a global leader in its field, delivering unparalleled precision, support and scalability for customers’ innovations for over two decades.
With more than 35 years of experience in MEMS engineering and manufacturing, Edvard has led Silex to remain at the forefront of MEMS innovation, driving the industry's progression from 4- to 6- to 8-inch wafer fabs and redefining the "one product, one process" model by developing thousands of unique, tailored processes within the same fab. In 2025, Edvard also guided the return of Silex to Swedish majority ownership - further strengthening its global market position.