The Fifth International Workshop on Micro/Nanotechnology for Power Generation and Energy Conversion Applications (PowerMEMS 2005)

Date: November 28-30, 2005

Venue: Takada Hall, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Sponsored by:
The University of Tokyo, The 21st Century COE Program, "Mechanical Systems Innovation"

In cooperation with (tentative):
JSME Thermal Engineering/Fluids Engineering/Power & Energy System Divisions,
The Instisute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, Sensors and Micromachines Society
The Global Emerging Technology Institute,
Micromachine Center, and
Advanced Intellectual Materials and Devices Laboratories of the University of Tokyo

Objective of the workshop

Demand for micro power sources is expected to increase significantly with the widespread and growing use of compact information and communication devices with many advanced features. Conventional battery solutions are hardly able to keep up with the power requirements of rapidly evolving existing applications, resulting in frequent recharging or disposal of battery cells. Emerging applications such as wireless sensing, wearable computing, autonomous robots, and other systems that are yet to hit the marketplace, will require even more efficient power sources to deliver revolutionary new functionality and convenience. In addition, international energy consumption is predicted to increase 60% from 1999 to 2020. Meeting the needs of expanding world energy consumption and maintaining a clean environment are global challenges.

Application of micro and nano sciences to the development of distributed, scaled (micro & nano) power systems or PowerMEMS will produce systems that save energy and preserve the environment. While efficiency is lost as power system scale is decreased, the elimination of energy transmission losses facilitates feasible micro power systems.

The objective of the PowerMEMS 2005 meeting is to catalyze innovation in micro and nanotechnology for power generation and energy conversion applications by providing researchers with a forum for discussing latest research results. Following the success of PowerMEMS 2004 workshop in Kyoto, Japan, this year's meeting will bring together the world's leading researchers devoted to developing new types of power sources based on the use of precision machining and MEMS fabrication methods.

We invite authors to send abstracts describing innovative researches and developments in the following topical areas.

Micro fuel cells such as µPEFC, µDMFC, and µSOFC
Microreactor and its peripherals for fuel processing and energy conversion
Micro heat engine
Micro thermoelectric generator
Micro thermophotovoltaic generator
Energy harvesting device
Remote powering of micro systems
Micro thruster
Other novel micro power sources and related technologies

COMMITTEES

Organizing Committee

Nobuhide Kasagi, The University of Tokyo, Chair
Young-Ho Cho, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Alan H. Epstein, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masayoshi Esashi, Tohoku University
Christopher Hebling, Fraunhofer Institute
Holger Löwe, Institute of Microtechnology Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University
Ryutaro Maeda, Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Albert P. Pisano, University of California, Berkeley
Susumu Sugiyama, Ritsumeikan University
Miwako Waga, The Global Emerging Technology Institute, Ltd.

Technical Committee

Yuji Suzuki, The University of Tokyo, Chair
Mark G. Allen, Georgia Institute of Technology
Luc G. Frécehette, University of Sherbrooke
Kousuke Isomura, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd
Johan Köhler, Uppsala University
Wen J. Li, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Siak Piang Lim, National University of Singapore
Liwei Lin, University of California, Berkeley
Brett Pokines, Rochester Institute of Technology
Hermann Sandmaier, IFF - University of Stuttgart
Young Ho Seo, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
Koji Takahashi, Kyushu University
Shuji Tanaka, Tohoku University
Toshiyuki Toriyama, Ritsumeikan University

Executive Committee

Yosuke Hasegawa, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Shigehiko Kaneko, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Nobuhide Kasagi, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Chisachi Kato, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Hideaki Murayama, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Toshio Nagashima, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Yuji Suzuki, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Kensuke Tsuchiya, The Univeristy of Tokyo
Toshinori Watanabe, The Univeristy of Tokyo

For more details, visit www.conferences.jp/powermems05/index.html