The 15th International Conference on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS 2015)

Abstract

Greetings, and welcome to Boston, MA and PowerMEMS 2015 - the 15th International Conference on Micro andNanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications!The objective of PowerMEMS 2015 is to catalyze innovation in micro- and nano-scale technologies for the energydomain. The scope of the meeting ranges from basic principles, to materials and fabrication, to devices andsystems, to applications. The many applications of Power MEMS range from the harvesting, storage,conversion and conditioning of energy, to integrated systems that manage these processes, to actuation, pumping,and propulsion.Our Conference aims to stimulate the exchange of insights and information, as well as the development of newideas, in the Power MEMS field. Our goal is to allow the attendees to interact and network within ourmultidisciplinary community that includes professionals from many branches of science and engineering, as well asenergy, policy, and entrepreneurial specialists interested in the commercialization of Power MEMS technologies.Since the first PowerMEMS in Sendai, Japan in 2000, the Conference has grown in size, reputation, impact, andtechnical breadth. This continuing growth is evident in this year's technical program, which includes an increasingnumber of papers on nanomaterials, additive manufacturing for energy systems, actuators, energy storage, harvestingstrategies and integrated energy harvesting systems, for example.This year's technical program is highlighted by six plenary talks from prominent experts on piezoelectrics, roboticinsects, thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, nanocomposite cathodes, and thermal energy conversion systems. Thecontributed program received a large number of abstract submissions this year, 169 in total. After careful reviewby the 34-member Technical Program Committee, a total of 135 papers were selected for presentation. The 60contributed oral presentations are arranged in two parallel sessions. The 75 posters are arranged in a ‘‘two-in-one’’poster session in which the poster session time is divided in two; half the posters will be presented during eachhalf-session, allowing the poster presenters to also browse the posters during the poster session. Posters willremain up during the meeting, so please feel free to peruse them at your leisure. The Proceedings will be visible andaccessible through IOP after conclusion of the Conference.We hope to maximize interaction among participants and stimulate lively discussion through the technical programand social events. For the first time at the Conference, a great many sponsors are making their presence known atPowerMEMS through tabletop displays, which will catalyze engaging conversations between our industrialpartners and the research community. Also, for the first time at PowerMEMS, we will host a Rump Session - aninformal event in which Conference participants engage in honest and fun discussions of topics of relevance to thecommunity while strengthening bonds within the community.This meeting is made possible by many generous contributions of time, effort, and financial support. Thanks aredue to the Technical Program Committee for their intensive efforts in reviewing abstract submissions, and to theInternational Steering Committee for their advice and support. We are grateful to Preferred Meeting ManagementInc. for their many and key contributions to the management and organization of our Conference. Finally, wegratefully acknowledge the organizational and financial support provided for this meeting by the TransducersResearch Foundation, Northeastern University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and our exhibitors andother supporters. We hope that you find our Conference enjoyable and fruitful, and that you enjoy your stay in theBoston, MA area.