Innovative Manufacturing Readiness Levels (IMRLs); A New Readiness Matrix

The importance of technology readiness and capabilities has been recognised as an important driver for the successful deployment of technological, as well as manufacturing, systems. In the management of micro and nanomanufacturing systems and its innovation, challenges still remain in its practice and implementation, which demand novel or improved approaches. The main contribution of this study lies in the development of a new research method for understanding and/or assessing the maturity of micro and nanomanufacturing technologies using a readiness matrix called 'innovative manufacturing readiness levels' (IMRLs)'. Within the IMRLs matrix, five key phases and five performance measures are proposed for capturing the main attributes that determine the effective implementation and adoption of micro and nanomanufacturing technologies.