Bangalore - headquartered Cranes Software International Ltd. in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science(IISc), has set up a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) research lab called CranesSci MEMS Lab in the IISc campus, Bangalore. With a seed fund of Rs.3 Crores this project has the objective of conducting research in MEMS technology and developing design for MEMS based devices with a range of applications.

The lab is currently working on MEMS sensors for acoustic applications and ultrasound imaging, besides developing analysis tools and software for the specific needs of the engineers working in this area. The lab also drives the mandate of creating IPRs(Intellectual Property Rights) in the area of MEMS.

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems(MEMS) refers to batch fabricated sensing and actuation systems that integrate mechanical and electronic components on the same chip at micro and nano scales. MEMS technology is a rapidly emerging technology that is generally being accepted as the next technological leap after the silicon revolution. The applications of this technology are far wider than any single technology ever known in the human history.

MEMS sensor technology alone promises to span all aspects of current technological areas such as : Energy Conversion, communication, controls, biomedical applications, space exploration, defense, environmental monitoring and manipulation, etc. MEMS devices at the atomic size scale promise to create large-scale electronic storage devices that is beyond the common scientific perception.

"One of the main hurdles in developing the technology in the country is lack of a comprehensive fabrication and testing facility for MEMS devices. It is extremely unlikely that such a facility can be built and run with the government's help alone. Participation of companies working in high tech areas is a must, "said Dr.Rudrapratap, Asst.Professor at IISC. "CSIL has come forward to precisely address this issue and play an active role in this area. " Dr.Rudrapratap spearheads this initiative between CSIL and IISc.