Here's a book excerpt from "Advanced MEMS Packaging," written by experts in the field. The book details the latest cutting-edge microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) packaging techniques such as low-temperature bonding and 3-D packaging. It can certainly serve as a valuable reference for those faced with the challenging problems created by MEMS devices and packaging. Part 2 covers advanced IC packaging.
Here's a book excerpt from "Advanced MEMS Packaging," written by experts in the field. The book details the latest cutting-edge MEMS packaging techniques such as low-temperature bonding and 3-D packaging. It can certainly serve as a valuable reference for those faced with the challenging problems created by MEMS devices and packaging. Parts 1 & 2 cover advanced IC packaging, while part 3 addresses advanced MEMS packaging.
The launch of the Apple iPad has resulted in an outpouring of opinions -- good and bad. Find out what key market analysts including DisplaySearch, In-Stat, iSuppli, and Strategy Analytics have to say about Apple's latest creation.
Smart meter deployment to reach 212M units in 2014
Scottsdale, Ariz. — The number of smart electric meters deployed worldwide will increase from 76 million units in 2009 to about 212 million in 2014, particularly in North America and Europe, according to a study from ABI Research. “Smart” electricity meters, which enable two-way communication between the meter and the utility, may enable greater consumer control over energy consumption, says the market researcher.
A big driver for smart-meter growth is government funding. “In the U.S., $3.4 billion in federal economic stimulus funding was directed to smart-grid development in November 2009. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) directly encourages smart-grid technology adoption by the states, and funds NIST’s efforts to develop a standards-based technology framework to facilitate smart grid adoption,” says Sam Lucero, practice director for ABI Research, in a statement.
In addition, the European Union recently enacted a “Third Energy Package” in September 2009, which aims to see every European electricity meter “smart” by 2022, Lucero says.
Lucero also says there is a possibility that China will replace 300 million electricity meters over the next five years or so.
The report, “Smart Meters for Smart Grids,” also indicates other growth drivers including efficiency and reliability gains, environmental concerns, improved customer service, energy theft reduction and increasing energy market competition.
But the road to smart metering has been bumpy. As an example, ABI Research cites the case of PG&E, an early adopter of smart meters, which has been accused by consumers of overcharging. PG&E stands by the accuracy of its meters, but it has created a public relations headache for the utility, according to Lucero.
See related articles:
Federal funding delivers $3.4 billion for a smart-energy grid
DOE awards $620M for smart-grid demo projects
Small businesses to get $37M in funding for clean energy technologies
ST intros an ultra-low-power, single-chip controller IC containing all the functions necessary to control an optical finger navigation (OFN) module or optical joystick. 
Renesas unveils its family of RX62T 32-bit flash microcontrollers (MCU) that enable more energy-efficient control system designs for electric motors and inverters.