GRENOBLE, France -- TRONIC'S Microsystems SA, the French MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) foundry recognized for its expertise in the production of SOI (Silicon On Insulator) based MEMS, and the CEA Leti (the Laboratory for Electronic and Information Technologies of the French Atomic Energy Commission) one of the major European R&D lab in the MEMS field, have just signed a three years R&D contract.Through this agreement TRONIC'S Microsystems and the CEA Leti will dedicate common R&D means to ensure the evolution of the manufacturing technologies of SOI based MEMS which were transferred by the CEA Leti to TRONIC'S Microsystems at its creation in May 1997. The contract also includes the development of new devices based on those technologies.This alliance will allow TRONIC'S Microsystems to maintain its competitive edge in the fabrication of MEMS on SOI for high-end applications while strengthening the historical links existing between the partners. It also follows the introduction of CEA-Valorisation to the capital of TRONIC'S Microsystems in May 2001."We are currently increasing our production rate for different products as well as our design capabilities. The effort that will be conducted by the Leti through this agreement will allow us to prepare the future while focusing our resources on our core activity the production of MEMS.", commented Stéphane Renard, TRONIC'S Microsystems founder, President and CEO. Jean Therme, CEALeti's CEO, said that " this agreement marks a new step in our relationship with TRONIC'S Microsystems. We are confident that this partnership will give the company additional strength to stand out in the high growth MEMS market with the perspective of an exemplary success. Leti's teams are mobilized around this R&D program to help TRONIC'S achieve that goal."Tronic's Microsystems