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Arms Named Top Ten Techie by the New England Journal of Technology, Mass High Tech
Source: Mass High Tech
Sensors come well-Armed
By Dyke Hendrickson
Vermont-schooled Steve Arms founded Microstrain Inc. in 1987 while
developing knee-sensor implants as part of his master's thesis at UVM.
Fifteen years later, Microstrain is not only thriving in the medical
field, but is offering its mini-sensors to serve other industries.
Its wireless sensor technology is used in monitoring of civil structures, such as dams, bridges and buildings.
It is also used in the automotive industry. The company's linear
displacement transducers provide feedback for electronic valves in
automotive engines, which company officials say will do away with
camshafts and allow more precise control of valve timing.
And Microstrain remains in the medical field. Several of its
applications which were designed for the re-animation of paralyzed
limbs are being used by the U.S. Navy.
"We're in a comfortable space, with many customers and a very good
team," said Arms, a former West Acton, Mass., resident who spent almost
a decade studying at UVM undergrad and graduate schools. "Microstrain
is profitable, and we've put much of that profit back in the business."
Microstrain is located in Burlington. It employs about 13. It has no
major debt or venture capital investors, but in recent years it has
been aided by $2.8 million in federal Small Business Innovation
Research funds.
Company officials say they produce some of the most innovative, smart,
wireless, miniature displacement, orientation and force sensors in the
world.
It appears those at national industry shows would agree.
At the Sensors Expo in San Jose, Calif., this spring, its products were
accorded the gold medal in the "best of show" category. It has won four
other gold medals in recent years in the best product category.
"My philosophy since starting the company is to hire smart people, and
then get out of their way," said Arms, 43. "We have a very good group
here, and we have many opportunities ahead of us."
Arms is projecting that the company will grow to 20 to 25 employees in the next few years.
"Will we get really big?" he asks rhetorically. "Come back in five years, and we'll all know more."
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