Automotive applications for microtechnologies address problems mainly related to the increase in safety, quality and reliability requirements. There is a strong demand for better economy of operation as well as more comfortable transport means and the production of environmentally sustainable components.

The present range of commercial products refers to micro system technology (MST) products and to miniaturised electronics and systems (see Fig. 2.12). However, microtechnologies will also find their way in other fields such as new types of paints, new catalysts and new materials, all of which could greatly influence the characteristics and the use of the next generation cars.

In a complex electronic/electro-mechanical system such as the modern car, the need for effective, accurate, reliable and low-cost electronics and sensors are pressing. Whereas in 1980, electronics accounted for merely 2% of the total cost of the car, today it has reached almost 30% [10]. There are 20 to 100 sensors installed in a modern automobile depending on the make and model. Some of the most demanding sensors positioned currently in cars are accelerometers (airbag release), micro-nozzle systems (injection system), pressure sensors (gas recirculation), gyroscopes (navigation), level, light & temperature sensors (oil/gas indicator, turn on lights and outside/inside temperature measurement), parking sensors (collision avoidance) and air flow sensors (air/flow ratio control) [17].

a
b	c	d
2.12 Automotive and transport mean applications; (a) Some micromachining applications in automotive sensing [18]; (b) MS7000 Series accelerometer [19]; (c) Diesel fuel injection nozzle [20]; (d) Silicon Micro Ring Gyro [21].

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