OLYMPUS TECHNOZONE Vol.64 2005-04
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Realizing dreams through MEMS technology - smaller, faster, more precise |
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The Research and Development Zone provided a first-hand glimpse of the dreams of tomorrow. The air was filled with gasps of amazement. MEMS World representatives spoke about their efforts to stage exciting and exhilarating demonstrations, and about future challenges. "We wanted to create a place where people could think about technology interactively." The Corporate R&D Center has the following three roles. (1) To facilitate the development of new technology in such fields as imaging, medical systems, life sciences and industrial systems, in order to lead Olympus Group into the future (2) To build technological infrastructure that will allow the tools of technology to be extended horizontally into many different fields (3) To use technological achievements as the basis for business creation. Most people know little about the activities of the Corporate R&D Center in the field of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), though this technology is used in all Olympus products. The first step was an intensive study of the methods that we would be using to achieve display concepts that would turn OTF85 into a world of fun and excitement. The aim was to stimulate the interest of visitors in the technology so that they would intuitively want to experience it for themselves. The focus from the outset was to create an environment in which visitors and engineers could think about technology interactively. The preparations took about a year.
An object resembling a thin sheet of paper appeared to be swimming in the tank. It drifted and changed direction gracefully under human control. The engineers lovingly presented the fish robot, informing visitors that motors that thin did not yet exist, and that the movement of the fish was driven by electrostatic actuators. The graceful motion of the tail fins was made possible by technology that allowed precise control of movements in the order of tens of microns. The apparently simple structure embodied extremely sophisticated technology. Research into electrostatic actuators began about a decade ago. However, it has not been widely used because of the need to use high-voltage electricity. Olympus had become involved in this field about two years before OTF85 and had made considerable progress in the development of actuators. OTF85 provided the ideal opportunity to display this progress in the form of a fish robot.
In another corner, dragonfly, water skater and cricket robots, and large and small snowman robot glided, spun and clattered. Visitors passed the remote controls from one to another, continually asking how the cricket was able to crawl on the ceiling, and how the water skater could move without a propeller. Olympus has developed ultrasonic motor technology that allows large objects, such as microscope stages, to be moved powerfully, quietly and precisely. It is also a leader in the miniaturization of ultrasonic motors. The insect and snowman robots were used to demonstrate this technology. The slender body of the dragonfly contained thin ultrasonic motors. Why were there large and small snowman robots? The large robot was completely autonomous with its own driver, battery and wireless receiver. The small dancing snowman was fitted with the smallest ultrasonic motors. The challenge for the future will be to develop miniaturized actuators for self-propelled endoscopes, next-generation digital cameras and other products. Huge potential for optical systems based on MEMS applications In addition to these fantasy-based exhibits, Olympus also presented technologies that will be ready for use in the real world in the near future. Products promoted as having reached this stage included optical switching and tracking systems. Both are based on optical MEMS technology, which allows light to be manipulated at will. Optical MEMS technology is already used in optical scanners for industrial laser scanning microscopes, and in key parts for atomic force microscopes and medical products. There is also potential for applications in the field of telecommunications. Fiber optic networks, which now encircle the world, require switching systems to control the optical path. At OTF85 there was keen interest in a demonstration of the use of MEMS optical switches in a video transmission system. The switches routed the transmission around faults, allowing the video transmission to continue without interruption. Olympus also demonstrated an optical tracking system that allows continuing flows of information to be transmitted to moving people and objects. This system anticipates the advent of the ubiquitous information society. Though MEMS technology has enormous potential, it is still only a tool. Its wider use will require the development of finished applications, the value of which is recognized by the public. In this sense, the display cannot be regarded as successful and these technologies as being available as products. Those responsible for the exhibit emphasize that the real test lies ahead. >> Click here for the further informarion of MEMS From "OTF85/Research and Development Zone" There was keen interest in exhibits in the Research and Development Zone, including MEMS World, which has received detailed coverage, the Mirai Factory (Factory of the Future) display about high-speed manufacturing and the assembly of miniaturized components, the High Definition Image display with its 8-megapixel imaging systems, and the Ubiquitous Interface display focusing on information tools that will become available in the near future.
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