ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Feb. 8 -- A MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) design competition sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories will provide eight university student teams the opportunity to have their microelectromechanical designs fabricated for free, using the SUMMiT V silicon surface micromachining fabrication process. Examples of MEMs designs at Sandia The lead student on the winning project, and his or her professor, will be invited to present the design to an audience of Sandia MEMS engineers. Student designs will be judged based on the use of SUMMiT V's strengths, which include integration of multiple layers and the flatness of those layers, as well as usefulness for educational demonstrations and uniqueness of design. In order to participate, students must be enrolled at institutions that are members of Sandia's MEMS University Alliance. Membership is available to any US institution of higher learning. Members receive course materials structured to help start or further develop their own MEMS program, licenses for Sandia's MEMS design software and other benefits. Designs are due April 1. For more information about the contest, contact Natasha Bridge at: nabridg@sandia.gov, or visit: www.sandia.gov. For information about the university alliance, contact Kathryn Hanselmann at kdhanse@sandia.gov.