Sensors Converge 2025

Join us for a half-day workshop on advancing MEMS, where top industry experts will explore cutting-edge sensor technologies and manufacturing trends. From MEMS market innovations to optical switching for AI data centers, photonics, and next-gen micro speakers, this is a must-attend session for anyone in the MEMS and sensing space.

1:00 PM – Moderator Welcome - SEMI MSIG Overview/Polling
Paul Carey, Ph.D., Director MSIG, SEMI

1:15 PM – MEMS market briefing – all eyes on innovation
Clyde Midelet, Sr. Technology & Market Analyst, MEMS & Sensing, YOLE

1:30 PM – Challenges in Modeling and Simulation of MEMS
Jan Mehner, Managing Director, i-ROM

In this presentation, we will introduce our proven device simulation software that has been integrating MEMS design concepts and automatically generating models for 20 years. We present a complex 3-axis gyroscope use-case and highlight how analytical models enable rapid component design prototyping for complete sensor designs. Additionally, we discuss the impact of non-linear mechanics, the computation of damping matrices and the ability to perform fully coupled harmonic simulations of different physical domains in short computation times. Finally, we demonstrate automated model extraction techniques required for additional signal processing, which can be used to provide customers with digital behavioral models of sensor performance for use in simulating and designing their systems. The presentation will conclude with automated GDS layout extraction for manufacturing.

1:50 PM – MEMS Foundry Offerings
Ardy Sidhwa, Ph.D., CTO, Noel Technologies

NOEL Technologies, a Silicon Valley MEMS foundry, excels in microfabrication, offering advanced lithography, deep etching, thin-film deposition, and multi-layer integration. Their facility supports wafer diameters from 50 mm to 300 mm, enabling both prototyping and full-scale production. The recent acquisition by Pure Wafer has expanded NOEL’s capabilities, adding high-purity silicon substrates and exotic thin films. This collaboration enhances device performance and yield for next-gen sensors, supporting IoT, biomedical, and industrial applications. Dr. Ardy Sidhwa will discuss NOEL’s Lab-on-Fab process, highlighting advancements that enable superior device performance, faster prototyping, and scalable production solutions.

2:10 PM – Commercializing PZT MEMS for High-Performance Actuators and Transducers
Hiroshi Miyajima, Ph.D., Fellow, ICT Division, MEMS Infinity, Sumitomo Precision Products Co. Ltd.

Piezoelectric (PZT) MEMS materials are versatile, converting electrical fields to strain and vice versa with simpler designs than capacitive MEMS. Thin-film PZT MEMS offer numerous advantages, including large displacements for applications like micromirrors and piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs).
This presentation covers:

• Advantages of PZT MEMS over capacitive MEMS
• Benefits for applications requiring large transducer displacements
• MEMS Infinity’s commercialization support, from concept to mass production, leveraging their alliance with A.M. Fitzgerald & Associates.

2:30 PM - Break
 
2:40 PM – Photonic MEMS Technology
Rodion Kononchuk, Ph.D., MEMS Developer, A.M. Fitzgerald & Associates

3:00 PM – Scaling Optical Circuit Switching with Next-Generation MEMS for AI and Hyperscale Data Centers
Eric Aguilar, CEO, Omnitron Sensors

As AI workloads and hyperscale data centers push networking limits, optical circuit switching (OCS) is emerging as a solution to overcome bandwidth bottlenecks, reduce energy consumption, and enhance scalability. Omnitron Sensors is pioneering MEMS-based OCS technology with unprecedented switching speeds, lower latency, and higher switch counts. Built on high Figure of Merit (FoM) MEMS mirror design, Omnitron’s architecture eliminates I/O limitations, increases tilt angles, and supports higher port counts and larger arrays. This simplifies manufacturing, reduces defect densities, improves reliability, and lowers costs. Eric Aguilar will discuss how Omnitron’s MEMS innovation is reshaping optical networking, enhancing manufacturability, cost-efficiency, and long-term reliability for next-gen data centers.

3:20 PM – Hot topic using existing sensors in new markets
Marcellino Gemelli, Sr. Manager, Business Development, Bosch

3:40 PM – PiezoMEMS Innovations in Speakers and Thermal Management
Mike Housholder, VP Marketing and Business Development at xMEMS Labs, Inc., XMEMs

xMEMS Labs is revolutionizing silicon MEMS with its innovative piezoMEMS platform, producing voltage-controlled airflow devices like micro speakers and pumps. Starting with the world’s first solid-state True MEMS speakers for earbuds, xMEMS will launch full-bandwidth MEMS speakers for various devices in 2025. Recently, xMEMS introduced the world’s first μCooling fan-on-a-chip, the smallest active cooling device, enhancing thermal management for smartphones, SSDs, XR, and datacenter servers.

New Platforms Driving Innovation in IoT and Wearable Applications

The future of sensors is here—and it’s flexible, stretchable, and seamlessly integrated into the world around us. From cutting-edge wearables to next-gen IoT applications, the rise of printed, flexible, and e-fabric sensors is revolutionizing industries including healthcare, sports, military, and beyond.

Join us for this dynamic workshop where leading experts will showcase groundbreaking advancements in sensor technology. Learn how high-throughput manufacturing techniques—such as Roll-to-Roll printing—are unlocking new possibilities for ultra-thin, low-cost, and highly durable sensors that conform to their environment like never before.

Through engaging presentations from six top global innovators, including a keynote speaker, we’ll explore:

• The latest breakthroughs in printed, stretchable, and functional fabric sensors
• Real-world applications transforming healthcare, wearables, and IoT
• The integration of electronic functionalities beyond sensing—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible
• Key challenges in commercialization and strategies to accelerate market adoption

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain exclusive insights, discover emerging technologies, and network with the industry’s top minds shaping the future of flexible and smart sensor systems!

This workshop is included in the VIP Conference Pass package.

Cost to add-on to Conference and Expo Hall Passes:
* Advance (until Mar 28): $299
* Standard (until May 31): $349
* Late (after June 1): $399

Each workshop will conclude with dedicated time for networking, engaging with speakers, asking questions, and discussing key takeaways.

Sensors Converge 2025 VIP Pass holders, speakers, and Advisory Board members are invited to an exclusive reception the night before the expo. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and networking with the who’s who of the industry.

Enjoy breakfast while previewing the latest technology Sensors Converge has to offer.

Sensors in consumer electronics enhance user convenience and experience, and their rapid development has led to commoditization. Integrated with AI, sensor data powers high-performance, user-centric smart applications. LG's Artificial Intelligence centers on real-time AI sensing and contextual understanding, foundational for creating smart life solutions. This presentation will explore LG Electronics' AI sensing technologies, illustrating how they monitor streaming data to provide contextual insights across products. This presentation will also introduce LG Electronics' next-generation solutions, aiming to realize Sensor as an AI Service for Smart Homes, ushering in a new era of responsive.

Remote monitoring begins with a foundational principle: the right sensor, in the right place, with reliable connectivity. Achieving this in practice—across varied industries and challenging environments—demands a flexible, modular approach.
 
In this session, Cameron Everett from Digital Matter will share the design rationale behind a modular remote monitoring platform and how it addresses the real-world challenges of integrating diverse sensors in the field. Using the Hawk IoT Data Logger as a case study, he’ll discuss key considerations such as multi-interface support, adaptable power configurations, and environmental resilience.
 
Attendees will gain insights into how modular system design can streamline deployment, simplify integration, and support scalable monitoring strategies in sectors like agriculture, environmental science, and infrastructure. This session is intended for practitioners looking to build robust, adaptable data collection systems in complex and remote settings.

Recent advances in AI and semiconductors have driven a rapid growth of CSI-based embedded vision systems, from delivery robots to mobile barcode scanners. Yet, optimization in size, weight, power, and data is still insufficient for some smart vision applications or for simply reaching long enough battery life in various products.

Forty-five to 60 children die each year in the US and Canada of heat stroke from being left in a car or entering the car and becoming locked in.   Newer model cars only provide a reminder to check the back seat upon turning off the engine, but many children are injured or killed long after a car is turned off while it is parked in a driveway or on the street.  

For example, hours or even days after the car was last used, a child might enter the car to retrieve a toy or book and become trapped inside due to child locks on the back doors. This presentation will cover the circumstances that are still extremely dangerous, the available technologies and their coverage strengths and gaps, and the emerging technologies using in-cabin sensors to continuously monitor for trapped children long after the driver has exited the vehicle.

The automotive industry is undergoing a major shift, driven by advancements in sensor technology that are key to the development of autonomous vehicles, electric mobility, and improved safety systems. This panel will explore the crucial role sensors play in shaping the future of automotive technology, tackling the latest trends, emerging challenges, and what lies ahead in this rapidly evolving field.

Industry leaders and researchers will discuss key challenges, including technological development, scalability, regulatory compliance, and market adoption. Panelists will highlight the role of emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and advanced materials in enhancing sensor performance and usability. Strategies for aligning R&D with market needs, addressing supply chain issues, and fostering collaborations will also be covered. This discussion provides valuable insights for stakeholders aiming to bridge the gap between innovation and practical applications in industries like healthcare, automotive, and environmental monitoring.

Wireless and connected AI combines the power of artificial intelligence with the flexibility of wireless networks to drive innovation across industries. This integration enables AI systems to function seamlessly in mobile and IoT devices, delivering real-time insights and automation. By removing dependency on fixed connections, wireless AI can be used in remote areas and connected vehicles, enhancing accessibility and efficiency. Applications range from smart cities, where connected sensors monitor infrastructure, to healthcare, where wearables track patient data in real-time. The advancements in 5G and edge computing further amplify AI as potential by providing faster data processing and lower latency. Together, wireless connectivity and AI foster smart, data-driven ecosystems that improve decision-making, automate processes, and open new frontiers for autonomous technologies in everyday life.

Designing successful signal chains requires an intimate knowledge of sources of error, noise, and stability. Understanding these complex topics calls for a high level of technical expertise. Fortunately, tools like Hands-On Signal Chain Seminars (HOSCS), the Signal Chain Designer tool, and LTspice can save you time and help you master analog signal chain design. The in-person HOSC seminars offer new and experienced engineers a deep dive into complex analog signal chain topics, using a combination of presentations and hands-on labs developed by Analog Devices. This approach fosters a strong sense of "analog intuition," enabling you to grasp the nature and performance of a circuit quickly. By developing an intuitive understanding of these topics, you will confidently be able to optimize your circuit designs and achieve first-pass PCB success

This session explores the intricacies of testing lidar, cameras, and multi-sensor arrays essential for reliable AV functionality. Bo will share insights into establishing rigorous validation methods, tackling challenges in sensor integration, and enhancing data accuracy across diverse environmental conditions. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on advancing sensor reliability and fostering innovation in autonomous vehicle technology, empowering them to push the boundaries of sensor performance and system resilience.

Sensor fusion changes how we perceive and interact with the world. Sensor fusion increases autonomous machines' safety, accuracy, and situational awareness.
The race towards an autonomous future has intensified the need for advanced perception systems that accurately interpret the surrounding environment. Sensor fusion has also transformed security. By fusing radar and camera data, we leverage the advantages of both sensors, resulting in a more comprehensive and robust perception of the environment.

The Wiegand effect was widely used in rotation sensors and key cards. Over the last years Hall-sensors and RFID have taken over these applications and the macroscopic extension of the Barkhausen effect was about to be forgotten.

The revival of the Wiegand wire comes with low power electronics. The energy of a single pulse can power counters, detect position changes and even power ultra-wideband-transmission (UWB) systems. The technology is now widely accepted replacing batteries or gears in rotary multi-turn encoders and metering devices.

Current R&D projects aim on optimizing the Wiegand wire and sensors to harvest energy for a variety of battery-less sensors and wireless transmission which will be key for the Internet-of-Things.

This session explores innovations in multiturn position sensing and their impact on industrial actuation control. We will discuss how new approaches eliminate the need for linear transducers, backup batteries, and gear reduction mechanisms—simplifying system design while reducing size, weight, and cost. Learn how these advancements are shaping the future of actuators and encoders, enhancing efficiency and reliability in industrial applications.

As the evolution of sensors, semiconductors and electronic components continues to innovate countless technologies, the industry faces increasing pressure to ensure they innovate sustainably. This session will explore how leaders are navigating the challenges of integrating sustainable practices with cutting edge advancements, balancing societal responsibility with the demand for high-performance solutions.

Join us for an engaging Women in Sensors and Electronics (WISE) Meetup, where professionals and students alike can come together to share ideas, build connections, and celebrate the contributions of women in this dynamic field. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer, a researcher, or just starting your journey, this is a welcoming space to exchange insights, find inspiration, and grow your network.

What to Expect:
  •  Light refreshments and drinks
  •  Informal networking opportunities
  •  Inspiring conversations with like-minded women and allies in the industry
  •  A relaxed atmosphere to connect and collaborate

Come as you are—bring a friend, a colleague, or just yourself. Let’s strengthen our community and explore the future of sensors and electronics, together.

FREE to attend with your Sensors Converge badge.
 

Since the 2000s, the wearables market has grown significantly, thanks to the diversification of form factors such as smart bands, smartwatches, TWS earbuds, smart rings, and AR/VR headsets, making these devices part of our everyday lives. Improvements in sensor performance, miniaturization, and lower power consumption are helping wearables bridge the gap between consumer and medical markets. Bosch and STMicroelectronics are leading the sensors and actuators market, but as wearables require a broad range of sensors, this has opened up valuable opportunities for newcomers. Additionally, advancements in AI are driving new growth in the wearables market by providing deeper insights into healthcare and wellness and enhancing the human-machine interface. The latest market and technology trends will be covered in the presentation, offering an overview of the wearables market.

The importance of collecting data had been increasingly vital over the last decade.  With 78 million IoT batteries projected to be disposed of everyday by next year, we understand that data collection from Internet of things is quickly impacting in the evolution of science. The discussion will be targeted at the importance of ultra low power communications for IoT devices that can enable ambient powered sensors.  What is the best way to address the 78 million IoT batteries that are disposed of in landfills per day? How are ultra low power radio companies paving the way for ambient and intelligent IoT?  What protocols are optimal for ambient or micro edge AI IoT devices?

Enhanced AI sensors are revolutionizing smart technologies in homes and buildings, driving the next generation of automation, efficiency, and security. These intelligent sensors not only detect and respond to environmental changes‚ such as temperature, light, and motion‚but also learn and adapt to user behaviors and preferences. By leveraging AI, sensors can make real-time decisions, optimize energy use, enhance security systems, and improve comfort with personalized settings.

In smart buildings, AI-powered sensors enable predictive maintenance, monitoring equipment health and reducing operational costs. They also enhance sustainability efforts by optimizing energy consumption based on occupancy patterns. With continuous advancements, AI-driven sensors are making homes and buildings more intuitive, adaptive, and efficient, creating seamless and intelligent living environments for users.

As devices evolve to become more intelligent and context-aware, ML-driven sensor fusion is a critical enabler for efficient, accurate data interpretation at the Edge. This session will explore the architecture and applications of ultra-low-power Edge AI chips optimized for ML-based sensor fusion, empowering devices to make real-time decisions with minimal energy consumption. Attendees will gain insights into hardware-software co-design for fusing data from multiple sensors, overcoming common challenges in sensor fusion at the Edge, and how these solutions unlock new potential for applications in smart wearables, IoT, and industrial monitoring.

Sustainability in smart agriculture, smart buildings, and smart cities hinges on optimizing the interconnectivity of these ecosystems. However, inadequate sensor communication and inefficient data processing can lead to suboptimal performance and diminished profitability. This session will highlight cloud-based solutions using Microchip's AVR-IoT Cellular Mini and WFI32-IoT Development Boards, in collaboration with Avnet IoT Connect, to address these challenges. These advanced tools enable remote monitoring and real-time analysis of sensor data, facilitating the identification and rectification of operational inefficiencies caused by component defects. By leveraging these technologies, stakeholders can achieve significant cost reductions, lower power consumption, and enhanced operational efficiencies, driving the next wave of sustainable development in smart ecosystems.

The rise of secure, connected edge devices is reaching every aspect of our work and personal lives. We are surrounded by smart, connected, and complex systems. The smart connected and secure world of the future will be delivered with a seamless blend of multi-scale sensors and for ubiquitous computing and communication for on-device decision making. With more and more competitive content included in these edge devices, the complexities and hence power consumption of these devices are increasing at a rapid pace. It will be imperative to have optimized integration of sensors-based condition monitoring at edge nodes to cut the complexity of the overall system. This session will unpack driving trends, market requirements and challenges to suggest new ways of working for sustainable growth. In this session, I will expand on few specific application examples to summarize how to design better and optimized edge solutions using sensing technologies.

Young Professionals Meetup @ Sensors Converge
Under 30? Overachieving? Let’s connect.

Are you a young professional (under 30) navigating the fast-moving world of sensors, electronics, and innovation? Join us at the Young Professionals Meetup—a dedicated space to meet peers, share experiences, and build your network in a relaxed, low-pressure setting.

Whether you’re an early-career engineer, a startup founder, a recent grad, or still finding your path, this is your chance to:
• Connect with other rising professionals in the industry
• Exchange ideas, insights, and career tips
• Enjoy light refreshments and great conversation
• Grow your network beyond the exhibit hall

Come for the snacks, stay for the people. This is your time—make the most of it!

FREE to attend with your Sensors Converge badge.

Join your colleagues for facilitated discussion and thoughtful networking on your choice of table discussions:

1. AI/ML
2. Connectivity & IoT 
3. Edge AI
4. Embedded Systems
5. MEMS & NEMS
6. Next-Gen Sensors
7. Printed / Flexible / Wearables
8. Smart Buildings/Manufacturing
9. Sustainability
10. Test & Measure

Raise a glass to 40 years of innovation! Join us at the Sensors Converge 40th Anniversary Reception for an unforgettable evening of cocktails, mocktails, bites, awards, interactive games, and networking.

AI’s evolution depends on one crucial ingredient—data. Since 2018, machine-generated data has outpaced human-created content, and we are approaching a critical inflection point. By 2026, curated text datasets will be depleted, and by 2030, even broad web-based text data may be exhausted. As AI models increasingly rely on their own outputs for training, the risk of data bias grows, threatening future advancements.
 
To push AI beyond its current limits, we must look beyond text. The next frontier lies in sensory data—collected from millions of emerging and existing smart devices. A new generation of sensor-powered technology will be essential to drive the next wave of AI innovation. Join us as we explore how this shift will redefine the future of artificial intelligence.

AI is transforming the world. From predictive maintenance to content creation, AI is set to push the world into a new era, enabling industries to maximize efficiency, productivity and profitability. Sensors are the core technology for AI. Responsible for the capture and processing of the real-world data used to power AI models, without sensors, AI would not be possible. This roundtable will explore the role of sensors in fuelling AI capabilities, and in turn, will examine how AI itself can be utilized in the design and optimization of advanced sensor technologies. Speakers will explore the combined potential of AI and sensor technology in building intelligent and responsive systems across industry, as well as focus on practical applications, recent breakthroughs and future trends that will shape the next generation of smart sensor solutions.

Explores the complexities of sensor testing and the physical limitations encountered in the process. It delves into minimum absolute pressures, vacuum challenges, and high-pressure fluid compressibility. The discussion includes using suitable reference sources and the range limits and costs associated with automated pressure calibrators and manual deadweights. It also addresses sensor limitations such as adiabatic effects and drift in devices under test (DUTs) and system limitations like reproducibility, ambient conditions, and atmospheric pressure noise. Additionally, it covers compliance verification, both short-term and long-term, focusing on metrological parameters, zero drift, span drift, and linearity drift.

The session will describe the availability of much higher accuracy MEMs inertial sensor platforms which will lead to the development of a new standard for health care, medical and sports performance related applications.  Examples of these new applications will be highlighted.