oa Editorial [Hot Topic: Multi-Material Micro Manufacture (4M): Technologies and Applications (Guest Editors: Samuel Bigot and Stefan Dimov)]

It has been recognised for several years that MNT enabled products will be an important part of the industrial and manufacturing future of developed countries, exploiting the possibilities for functionality, mobility and intelligence in devices that a new generation of materials and components can offer. To realise this potential, it is necessary for multi-function multimaterial products to advance from laboratory test beds to low cost volume manufacture. According to a recently conducted study of research and development in micromanufacturing [1], the technologies that underpin the creation of production capabilities for innovative microsystems-based products have four main characteristics: • They are enabling the widespread exploitation of nanoscience and nanotechnology developments; • They are disruptive having the potential to change drastically the existing manufacturing paradigms; • They are transforming the existing manufacturing systems and the way they are designed;.....