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"As a topic, nanotechnology is complex, controversial and cool all at the same time," says Marlene Bourne, President & Principal Analyst of Bourne Research and the book's author. "A Consumer's Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology puts it all into perspective--not by looking at future 'imagine this' or 'what if' scenarios--but at how and why emerging technologies are being put to use in all kinds of really cool products today."

Divided into two parts, the first half of the book examines the commercial history of MEMS and nanotechnology, their evolution into the marketplace, and how material science (nanotech) and engineering (MEMS) have become intertwined. Dozens of MEMS devices and nanomaterials are discussed in detail--including how they work, what makes them unique, why they're useful, and who's manufacturing all of these things.

The second half of the book provides countless examples of real-life applications of MEMS and nanotechnology in cars, homes, consumer electronics, cosmetics/personal care, clothing/footwear, accessories/jewelry, sporting goods, healthcare/medicine, food production, oil exploration and more.

'A Consumer's Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology' also yields some surprising findings.

"Much of what is being touted as nanotechnology technically isn't," says Marlene Bourne. "The particle size of many materials currently labeled 'nanotech' doesn't fit within the specified threshold of 1-100 nanometers. This mislabeling is most prevalent with cosmetics and silver nanoparticles."

The book also reveals that current applications of MEMS and nanotechnology are far more innovative, and diverse, than many might think. Examples include:

Self-cleaning windows--some of which also lower energy costs
Interactive sensing for gaming systems and movie production
Flat-irons with nanocoatings to reduce hair damage
Permanent (yet removable) tattoo ink
Swimwear with special fibers that prevent sand from sticking
Protective gear for football, hockey, snowboarding, motocross and more
Lab-on-a-chip devices that can detect a heart attack in just minutes
Sensors implanted into the body to wirelessly monitor pressure
Plastic bottles that prevent beer from going flat

'A Consumer's Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology' is a must-read for anyone interested in emerging technologies--from curious technophiles and university students, to scientists, engineers, executives, the media and more. The 287-page book includes more than 60 photos and illustrations.

For more details about 'A Consumer's Guide to MEMS and Nanotechnology', or to learn how to purchase the book, please visit: www.bourneresearch.com/book.htm.

About Bourne Research

Bourne Research is a trusted source of market intelligence, with a specialized focus on MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems), nanotechnology, and the convergence of both. Its founder, Marlene Bourne, is a highly respected industry analyst with more than a decade of experience following the development of emerging technologies, and is internationally recognized as one of the leading experts on MEMS.