Preface of Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

In the tradition of the biennial ICMAT, the Materials Research Society of Singapore hosted the 3rd ICMAT from 3 to 8 July 2005. ICMAT 2005 marked a great success. There were 25 symposia covering contemporary topics of importance for material science, engineering and the technology of materials. Additionally, there were 9 plenary lectures, 2 theme lectures and 3 public lectures by Nobel Laureates. More than 2200 delegates from all over the world, representing 40 countries, attended the conference.

As the Symposium Chair of the Nano-Optics and Microsystems, I was glad to see the active participation of researchers from various parts of the world. The symposium offered a venue for researchers to discuss the latest developments of research related to microsystem technology, MEMS devices and applications that involve nano-photonic bandgap integrated circuits and biophotonic medical devices.

In Singapore, MEMS only started in 1994 with a small number of researchers and research institutions involved in MEMS research exploration. However, at ICMAT 2005, MEMS being one of the growing disciplines in science and engineering, was also emphasized at the conference. With this, we are convinced that Singapore MEMS researchers are equally compatible with our counterparts in the world and that the team also serves as a contributor to the global MEMS research and industry.

On behalf of the Symposium Chair of the Nano-Optics and Microsystems, I would like to place on record my greatest gratitude to the Journal of Sensors and Actuators A: Physical for publishing a special issue based on this Symposium. I am also greatly indebted to my colleagues from Nanyang Technological University, Institute of Microelectronics and National University of Singapore and also other research institutions in Singapore who have put in a substantial amount of their time and effort to ensure the success of this Symposium.