Applying manufacturing methods for computer chips to make tiny mechanical devices with moving parts is the objective of Norman Tien, professor of engineering at the University of California, Davis. "It's about taking chip technology to the mechanical and optical domains," said Tien. Tien works on microelectrical mechanical systems, or MEMS. Some MEMS are already in commercial use, for example as motion sensors that trigger airbags in cars. Other applications are in miniaturization of optical and wireless communication systems, and in building chips that can perform chemical reactions on a miniature scale. Tien's laboratory has developed a miniature motor that can be built on a chip and used to move a mirror less than 1/100 of an inch, or 1/5 of a millimeter, across. These mirrors form the core of an all-optical switch box for use in optical communications systems. The switch box would use arrays of these moving micromirrors to control light pulses from fiber-optic cables. This would avoid having to convert optical pulses to electronic signals, switch them, and then turn them back into light pulses, said Tien. Such an optical switch box could potentially have hundreds or thousands of input and output connections, compared to 16 each for electronic switching boxes, he said. Devices using micromirror technology, such as some electronic projectors, are already available, said Tien. Tien's group is also working on miniaturizing components for cell phones. Currently, some components for tuning and receiving radio waves cannot be put on chips, increasing the size of devices. Miniaturized, on-chip components will be needed to make wearable communications devices feasible, he said. Note: A picture of the micromirror and motor is available. Contact Andy Fell for details.