Micromachine Line; June 1993; Scientific American Magazine; by Gary Stix; 1 Page(s)

Industrial and academic researchers have wondered for years whether mechanical structures no bigger than healthy-sized bacteria would ever become more than laboratory playthings. They may now get a chance to find out. Beginning in late March an advanced semiconductor design and fabrication facility based in North Carolina began delivering its first batch of motors, resonators, grippers and mechanical drives to 15 separate clients ranging from a defense contractor to a high school class.

MCNC, formerly the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, was set up 13 years ago with funds from the state as a nonprofit organization to develop advanced semiconductor technology. Last year the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which was recently stripped of the word "Defense" in its title, decided to support the center in its micromechanics endeavor. MCNC is now open for business for a biannual production run.