NEXUS, the European network of excellence in microsystems, is about to embark on a major transition of becoming an Association representing members from across the world.
NEXUS started life, in 1992, as an academically-driven network representing the interests of various researchers working on micro-fabrication and micromachining techniques. This specific phase of the Network was particularly useful in forming the basis of a wider consortium addressing the more general topic of microsystems.
During 1995, NEXUS II amalgamated the Eastern European activities in microtechnologies under the banner of NEXUSPAN. In addition, representation on the Executive Board shifted from an academically strong group to that of an industrially-driven one. This shift was deemed necessary by both the NEXUS members and the European Commission in order to speed the process of MST technology exploitation and transfer.
The strength of this industrial presence was consolidated in 1997 with the formation of NEXUS III. This phase of NEXUS also saw the introduction of the User-SupplierClubs, the beginning of the market analysis investigation and the start of benchmarking visits outside the European Union.
NEXUS IV, was launched in 1998 with a strong base of User-Supplier-Clubs led by industry. In essence, NEXUS transferred from an academic network to an applications / industrially - driven network of MST technology users and suppliers. The presence of academia was consolidated within the User-Supplier-Clubs, thereby, maintaining the important role of academia and research within this network.
Basically, NEXUS has, over the past 8 years, seen its role shift from an academicallydriven network into an industrially-driven one. In addition, the size of the network increased substantially to its current level of almost 450 members representing all of the European nations. The natural progression for this network is to expand on a global basis.
Over these years, NEXUS has been instrumental in promoting microsystems across Europe through a number of concerted tasks. The main success, however, has been achieved through the activities of the User-Supplier-Clubs (USCs). These unique groups have provided the basis of most of the NEXUS deliverables in terms of market forecasts, technology roadmaps and international benchmarking information.
To date, NEXUS has been supported, primarily, by the European Union (ESPRIT / IST - DG XIII). The European Union support averaged at approximately 1 M Euros per year. This level of funding has been (and continues to be) utilised to support the main activities and dissemination functions of this Network.
The increasing level of support has prompted the Executive Board of NEXUS and the European Union to consider alternative routes for operating such an organisation. The main driving factors were:
 | The network has been operational since 1991 and has set-up a stable infrastructure which should be self sustaining. |
| Most members have, by now, accepted the benefits offered them by NEXUS. · |
| The European Union has fulfilled its role in setting up the necessary infrastructure |
| The operation of the Network's office has been stream-lined and the management of the Network has become effective and efficient over the years. |
| Outputs from the NEXUS organisation have attracted significant interest from both within and without the European Community. |
Given these encouraging signs, the NEXUS Executive Board members have chosen to transfer the status of this organisation from that of a Network to that of a legal, nonprofit, Association. Such an Association will be registered as an official body and managed by a professional legal entity.
The transition of NEXUS from a fully-supported, European Union, network to that of a fully-sponsored, independent, Association will be a gradual one. This gradual transition will be initiated during the first 12 months of the current phase of NEXUS, whereby, the infrastructure and foundation of the Association will be set and the mechanisms of sponsorship agreed by all the sponsoring members.
THE NEXUS MICROSYSTEMS ASSOCIATION (NMA) - The Benefts
The NMA will undertake the co-ordination of a number of core activities and tasks aimed at benefiting either the specific or general needs of its members. Examples of these benefits include:
| Members will have the option ofjoining established User-Supplier-Clubs, thereby, |
| Members will be offered the opportunity and infrastructure to set-up new UserSupplier-Clubs of choice. |
| In this context, the NMA offers the appropriate infrastructure and the unique opportunity for members to meet new partners through the User-Supplier-Clubs. |
| The NMA Steering Committee will sponsor specific tasks undertaken by members including the generation of Technology Roadmaps. |
| Through the User-Supplier-Clubs, all proactive members will be able to participate in the generation of and /or access to targeted information including the technology roadmaps relating to microsystems applications and developments |
| The NMA Steering Committee will co-ordinate support and facilitate market |
| This information on market opportunities as well as market analysis reports will be made available, at preferential rates, to all of the NMA members. |
| All NMA members will receive regular information on European and world-wide developments, events and information relating to microsystems. |
| Through the NMA, members will be in a better position to influence the scope of European Research Programmes. |
| The NMA office will make available, to all members, a comprehensive list of contacts including a database of world-wide microsystems capabilities. |
| As an influential body, the NMA will represent members views on Standards both at National and International levels. |
| All members of the NMA will receive regular bulletins, news-letters and trade journals such as MST-news. |
| Through participation at conferences, exhibitions and seminar, the NMA will provide opportunities for members to publicise their interests and businesses. |
In essence, NEXUS is currently an influential body representing an important network of European organisations with interests in microsystems technologies. NEXUS, as an Association, will exploit this strength by repositioning this network on a world-wide arena. European organisations have an excellent opportunity to become world players in this field of technology. The NEXUS Microsystems Association will be instrumental in securing this goal.