Micro Systems Technology Congress 2005 held in Freiburg

Although the majority of people are unaware of it, micro systems technology is today a key part of modern life. “Micro systems technology is very versatile and has an enormous innovative potential,” said Frieder Meyer-Krahmer, Secretary of State in the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on 10th October in his welcome address at the Micro Systems Technology Congress in Freiburg. The three-day was jointly organised by the BMBF and the Association of Electrotechnology, Electronics and Information Technology and was held for the very first time on the 10th October 2005.

“Germany is a leader in micro systems technology”, said Meyer-Krahmer stipulating that the Ministry will continue intensively funding this technology. In order to continue the funding, the BMBF has begun the new framework programme on micro systems. Up to the year 2009, €50 million will be made available for research into this topic every year.

There are currently 51 ongoing co-operative projects , involving 279 partners. Only recently, the BMBF commenced the "Micro Fuel Cell Routing Innovation" programme, providing funding to the tune of €20 million. This programme aims to support the market breakthrough of small fuel cells that supply portable electronic devices with energy. With the recently established “Integrated Micro Systems for Biotechnological Applications” funding priority, the BMBF funds the development of medical methods that facilitate the diagnosis of diseases and infections and the development of new drugs. This funding is worth a total of €15 million (see link in the top right-hand corner to the article “BMBF supports easier diagnosis”).