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Judging by some of the comments I've seen on microtech in this discussion group all I can say is - I'm glad some of you guys aren't my boss!!

We are working on microtech here at the Phillips Laboratory. This includes microtubes, micro-actuators etc.There certainly are promising ideas in the microtechnology field. However, it's also true that it takes time for a new technology to gain acceptance. This factor, along with the harsh laws of economics, slows the growth of this field (no doubt economists would argue that this is the correct behavior anyhow).

There are also new technical challenges. Let me mention one - DIRT. Yes ... good old fashioned dirt. I'm sorry that I can't suggest something really "sexy", like quantum mechanical correlation. But unfortunately dirt is a real problem. Particles of dirt are the same size as microcomponents. One dirt particle can really clog up a system.

Yes I know that clean room technology exists. But that's only a partial answer. It only works if a micro-device can be encapsulated i.e. isolated from its environment. But what about micro-devices which interact with the environment e.g. systems which take a small sample of a liquid? Then it is impossible to isolate the micro-system from its surroundings, and things like dirt become quite a problem. So we are working here on creative ways to filter out dirt or remove it from micro-devices. But this takes time and ingenuity.

Incidentally ... I am still puzzled as to how biological systems cope with the presence of dirt. You'd tend to think that all those capillaries, micro-tubules and nanotubules would get clogged up sooner or later. I'd be interested in comments on this subject.

Best Wishes

Pete Pollock                        pollockp@lablink.ple.af.mil

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