Many people in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) share the belief that a revolution is under way. As MEMS begin to permeate more and more industrial procedures, not only engineering but society as a whole will be strongly affected. MEMS provide a new design technology that could rival, and perhaps even surpass, the societal impact of integrated circuits (ICs). Is this fact or fiction? If it is fact, then several questions must be asked. • What precisely is the nature of this "revolution"? • What should be done to exploit MEMS in the most advantageous way? • Are lessons learned from the development of other.
