The 15th International Conference on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS 2015)

Abstract

Greetings, and welcome to Boston, MA and PowerMEMS 2015 the 15th International Conference on Micro and Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications! The objective of PowerMEMS 2015 is to catalyze innovation in microand nanoscale technologies for the energy domain. The scope of the meeting ranges from basic principles, to materials and fabrication, to devices and systems, to applications. The many applications of Power MEMS range from the harvesting, storage, conversion and conditioning of energy, to integrated systems that manage these processes, to actuation, pumping, and propulsion. Our Conference aims to stimulate the exchange of insights and information, as well as the development of new ideas, in the Power MEMS field. Our goal is to allow the attendees to interact and network within our multidisciplinary community that includes professionals from many branches of science and engineering, as well as energy, policy, and entrepreneurial specialists interested in the commercialization of Power MEMS technologies. Since the first PowerMEMS in Sendai, Japan in 2000, the Conference has grown in size, reputation, impact, and technical breadth. This continuing growth is evident in this year's technical program, which includes an increasing number of papers on nanomaterials, additive manufacturing for energy systems, actuators, energy storage, harvesting strategies and integrated energy harvesting systems, for example. This year's technical program is highlighted by six plenary talks from prominent experts on piezoelectrics, robotic insects, thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, nanocomposite cathodes, and thermal energy conversion systems. The contributed program received a large number of abstract submissions this year, 169 in total. After careful review by the 34member Technical Program Committee, a total of 135 papers were selected for presentation. The 60 contributed oral presentations are arranged in two parallel sessions. The 75 posters are arranged in a twoinone poster session in which the poster session time is divided in two; half the posters will be presented during each halfsession, allowing the poster presenters to also browse the posters during the poster session. Posters will remain up during the meeting, so please feel free to peruse them at your leisure. The Proceedings will be visible and accessible through IOP after conclusion of the Conference. We hope to maximize interaction among participants and stimulate lively discussion through the technical program and social events. For the first time at the Conference, a great many sponsors are making their presence known at PowerMEMS through tabletop displays, which will catalyze engaging conversations between our industrial partners and the research community. Also, for the first time at PowerMEMS, we will host a Rump Session an informal event in which Conference participants engage in honest and fun discussions of topics of relevance to the community while strengthening bonds within the community. This meeting is made possible by many generous contributions of time, effort, and financial support. Thanks are due to the Technical Program Committee for their intensive efforts in reviewing abstract submissions, and to the International Steering Committee for their advice and support. We are grateful to Preferred Meeting Management Inc. for their many and key contributions to the management and organization of our Conference. Finally, we gratefully acknowledge the organizational and financial support provided for this meeting by the Transducers Research Foundation, Northeastern University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and our exhibitors and other supporters. We hope that you find our Conference enjoyable and fruitful, and that you enjoy your stay in the Boston, MA area.