The award recognises inventors and innovations that have made a major contribution to technological progress in Europe and beyond - and thus also to strengthening Europe's economic position. Urban and Dr. Lärmer developed a process that revolutionised the manufacture of the micromechanical components known as MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems). Without them, safety technologies such as the vehicle airbag would not be possible. The systems are also used in Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), the electronic anti-skidding system, and in rollover protection.

"Bosch Process" - a pioneering development in microsystems technology

Urban and Dr. Lärmer's development is a special plasma etching process for silicon. It was only as a result of this process that it was possible to mass-produce sensors cost-effectively. The process, now known commonly as the "Bosch Process," is now indispensable for microsystems technology. Wherever they are produced in the world, nearly all MEMS are based on this process. The process has more or less completely replaced other processes, such as the wet etching of silicon in potassium solution.

The basic patent dates back to 1992, and has been constantly further developed and refined since then. Today, there are roughly 40 patent families associated with this technology, and more than 350 individual patents have now been granted. At the Bosch Reutlingen plant alone, more then 130 million sensors are produced every year using the Bosch Process. The signs are that this number will increase further, since these products are being used in more and more areas. Apart from the automotive sector, for example, they are used in mobile phones, laptops, or games consoles. Bosch will start construction of a new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Reutlingen this year. This represents a total investment of roughly €600 million with start of production planned for the beginning of 2009.

More research and development expenditure

In the Bosch Group, innovations are a top priority. Research and development spending came to €3.3 billion last year. This is the equivalent of 7.7 percent of sales, up from 7.4 percent in the previous year. A total of 25,300 men and women work in research and development at Bosch. More than 300 of them are involved in work on MEMS. Last year, the number of patents applied for rose by nine percent to 3,056. Of these patents, 36 percent related to environmental protection and resource conservation. Half of them will help to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions further.

MEMS and the "Bosch Process"

Bosch has been researching in the field of MEMS, since 1988 and the company has already applied for more than 350 patents associated with these micromechanical components. Up to now, the MEMS manufactured by Bosch have been used above all in the automotive industry. These microchip components are the vehicle's "sensory organs," and include sensors for safety systems such as ABS, ESP, or the airbag, and well as for controlling the electronic engine management system or driver assistance systems. Some of these sensors, which comprise several chips, are far smaller than a fingernail. On average, between 100 and 200 of these control elements are installed in a middle or luxury-class car.

Mass production of many of these micromechanical sensors only became possible as a result of the "Bosch Process." As a result of the plasma etching process developed in 1992, deep structures with vertical walls can be etched into silicon wafers with extreme precision and at high speed. Before this process, micro-structures such as these could only be produced on a metal base using the expensive "LIGA" (lithography, electroplating, and molding) process. For broad industrial applications, however, this process is far too complex and expensive. The Bosch Process made it possible for the first time to manufacture comparable highly complex structures in silicon using comparatively simple and cost-effective procedures.

In his book "Microsystem Design," Professor Steven D. Senturia, a world expert in MEMS technology who teaches at MIT in Boston, writes: "The Bosch Process is revolutionising the development of micromachining processes and designs". Today's microsystems technology is inconceivable without the Bosch Process. Nearly all the MEMS produced in the world are based on it. The process has more or less completely replaced other processes, such as the wet etching of silicon in potassium solution.

One example of a sensor based on MEMS technology is the SMB 360, a triaxial, universally applicable acceleration sensor that has been developed specifically for consumer electronics. It can be used in areas such as entertainment electronics, mobile phones, and computer technology, but also in the areas of security and medicine. The sensor can for example trigger a radio alarm if someone falls or remains motionless on the ground, or if a notebook is removed without permission. Apart from acceleration sensors, Bosch also currently supplies a number of pressure and yaw-rate sensors.

In the Bosch plant in Reutlingen alone - the headquarters of the Bosch Automotive Electronics division - more than 130 million sensors are manufactured every year. And demand is increasing. This year, Bosch will start construction of a new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Reutlingen, with a total investment volume of some 600 million euros. Rollout of production is planned for mid-2009. The plant will be able to manufacture up to 1,000 silicon wafers a day, equivalent to a daily production volume of as many as one million microchips.

Bosch media enquiries:

Chris Wakley / David Eden

Automotive PR

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7494 8050

Email: cwakley@automotivepr.com / deden@automotivepr.com

Bosch OE enquiries:

Jenny Hodge

Corporate Communications Manager

Robert Bosch Limited

Tel: +44 (0) 1895 838545

Email: jenny.hodge@uk.bosch.com

About Bosch

The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal 2006, some 260,000 associates generated sales of 43.7 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering", the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales and after-sales service network of some 300 subsidiaries, with more than 13,000 Bosch service centres in over 140 countries.

The special ownership structure of the Bosch Group guarantees its financial independence and entrepreneurial freedom. It makes it possible for the company to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future, as well as to do justice to its social responsibility in a manner reflective of the spirit and will of its founder. A total of 92 per cent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by the charitable foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG.

Additional information can be found at www.bosch.com and www.bosch.co.uk