Microstaq Mastering Electronic Controls for Fluid-Control Industry
Microstaq’s revolutionary MEMS valve technology holds great promise for the miniaturization of flow control systems across a number of automotive, biomedical, refrigeration, aeronautical and other flow control opportunities. The company’s silicon chip-based flow control technology leverages proven silicon wafer processing techniques to create a single-structure, ‘solid state’ valve capable of controlling a range of fluids in today’s high-pressure, high-flow rate control environments.
Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) May 25, 2005 –- Engineers at Microstaq are betting that the
tiny, silicon chip they created to miniaturize and manage the refrigerant in a
car’s air-conditioner holds promise for much broader applications in autos of
the future. The micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology used in the
patented microvalve also shows promise for biotechnology, drug research and
development, satellite control and for medical uses.
“This could be the
transistor of the fluid-control industry,” says company cofounder and president
Steve Booth, referring to the electronics revolution that followed the invention
of the transistor.
Microstaq has been successfully testing its
micro-sized electro-mechanical valves for fluid control on automotive air
conditioners for the past three years at its labs in Bellingham and anticipates
production to get underway within two years. Knowing that a typical automobile
has 50 valves that need to be opened and closed automatically and regulated
closely, and having a number of top technical experts on staff, the company is
favorably positioned to develop the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
technology for use in auto transmissions, braking systems and other automobile
fluidic systems.
Microstaq’s microvalve technology could also be used for
active cooling of complex, heat generating electronic systems such as modern
microprocessors, he said. “Its portability, low cost, accuracy and small fluid
volume requirements also make it ideal for analysis and mixing of
pharmaceuticals,” he said.
Microstaq’s microvalve uses MEMS technology
and due to its silicon material content its moving parts will not wear out. A
tiny silicon wafer the size of a button controls the flow of liquids, mists and
gases at high pressures, replacing a traditional valve in the air conditioning
system that is larger than a spark plug. Its lighter weight and smaller size is
expected to increase fuel economy and reduce power consumption in every car,
truck and SUV that uses it.
Booth and Microstaq cofounder Jeff Chance
believe that Microstaq’s tiny electronic chip has the potential to revolutionize
automotive flow control designs and reduce auto emissions.
“Even a
half-mile-per-gallon increase in fuel efficiency translates into saving hundreds
of thousands of metric tons of auto emissions every year,” said Booth, also
president of the company.
Microstaq’s proprietary, pressure-balanced
valve design uses advanced silicon wafer processing technologies to fabricate a
high-pressure, high flow capable microvalve as compared to membrane or
orifice-type microvalve designs. The Microstaq valve is designed to operate in
the harsh temperature and pressure environments typical to many automotive flow
control systems.
“There is great potential for this microvalve to be on
every car in the world,” said Chance, executive vice president and COO. “Down
the road, this technology could be used for other systems such as for
biotechnology, medical uses, drug research and development, satellite control,
gas flow, even bicycle suspensions.”
Microstaq’s valve technology holds
such great promise that the company received a $2 million federal grant in 2001
from the National Institute of Standards Technology’s Advanced Technology
Program to develop its unique microvalve for a car’s air
conditioner.
About Microstaq:
Microstaq (www.microstaq.com) is a
privately held company founded in 2000 to bring MEMS technology to the flow
control world of automotive systems. Microstaq designs, develops and
manufactures high-performance MEMS silicon valve systems capable of operating in
normal to extreme flow control environments. Cofounders Steve Booth and Jeff
Chance were business development and sales managers in the automotive
air-conditioning and engine cooling industry before founding the company to
address flow control opportunities in the air-conditioning and refrigeration
industries. Formerly known as Alumina Micro, the company moved to Bellingham in
2002.
Microstaq recognizes the benefits of business partnerships to
efficiently market its valve technology and seeks partnerships that will
successfully market its flow control technology into promising business sectors.
Contact:
Jeff Chance
Executive Vice President
360-734-8220
x102
www.microstaq.com
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Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb242165.htm