Watkins says it will be the first new semiconductor fab in the Bay Area in 25 years.

FORBES: China's Threat To Clean Tech

To European semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics, however, these tiny motion sensors are an important growth area.

FORBES: Chipmaker STMicroelectronics Sees Big Opportunity In Micro Sensors

Although it is still a male-dominated area, there is a lot of hope that unlike the telecom, semiconductor or computer fields, cleantech can become a sector where women become more engaged.

FORBES: Green Tech: Finally, A Female-Friendly Engineering-Tech-Energy Field?