Welcome

Abstract

Greetings, and welcome to Daytona Beach, FL and PowerMEMS 2018 – the 18th International Conference on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications!The objective of PowerMEMS 2018 is to catalyze innovation in micro- and nano-scale technologies for the energy domain. The scope of the meeting ranges from basic principles, to materials and fabrication, to devices, systems and applications. The topics span the lifecycle of energy from power generation or harvesting to storage, conversion and conditioning, and integrated systems that manage these processes. The applications include micro power generation for wireless sensors and portable devices, as well as microsystems for actuation, pumping and propulsion.Our Conference aims to stimulate the exchange of insights and information, as well as the development of new ideas, in the power MEMS field. Our goal is to allow the attendees to interact and network within our multidisciplinary community that includes professionals from many branches of science and engineering, as well as energy 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, and technical breadth. This year’s technical program is highlighted by three plenary talks from prominent experts on wearable energy harvesting systems, magneto-electric generators, and near-zero-power microsystems. Each plenary talk anchors a “Focus Session” in each of these themes. The contributed program received 162 abstract and late news submissions. After careful review by the 35-member Technical Program Committee, a total of 135 papers were selected for presentation, 51 for oral, and 84 posters. There oral presentations are divided into 16 sessions, and the posters divided into two afternoon poster sessions. Nine PowerMEMS-in-Action live demos will be featured during the poster sessions, showcasing mature technologies and novel approaches hands-on. The conference proceedings are made available to attendees via direct download. All authors have the option to “elevate” their conference paper into a fully peer-reviewed journal article in either J. Micromechanics and Microengineering or Smart Materials and Structures. All non-elevated conference papers will be archived online around May 2019 under IoP’s J. of Physics: Conference Series.We hope to maximize interaction among participants and stimulate lively discussion through technical and social events. The PowerMEMS School provides opportunity to learn from leading experts in topics ranging from fundamentals of energy harvesting technologies to applications of PowerMEMS in selected domains. The PowerMEMS-in-Action live demos stimulates researchers to push their power MEMS technologies out of the laboratory and get feedback. Our tabletop exhibitors will help catalyze conversations between our industrial partners and the research community. On Thursday, the conference banquet will be held at the Kennedy Space Center, with dinner served directly below the retired Space Shuttle Atlantis orbiter. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!This meeting is made possible by many generous contributions of time, effort, and financial support. Thanks are due to our co-organizers Florian Herrault (TPC Chair), Shad Roundy (Sponsorship and industry Chair), and Alexandra Garraud (School Chair), Peter Woias (PMiA Chair), to the Technical Program Committee for their intensive efforts in reviewing abstract submissions, and to the International Steering Committee for their advice and support. We are grateful to Preferred Meeting Management Inc. for their many contributions to the management and organization of our Conference. Finally, we gratefully acknowledge the organizational and financial support provided for this meeting by the Transducers Research Foundation, Université de Sherbrooke, University of Florida, University of Utah, HRL Laboratories, and our exhibitors, publication partners, and other supporters.We hope that you find PowerMEMS 2018 enjoyable and fruitful, while enjoying the beautiful scenery and unique attractions of Daytona Beach!Sincerely,