  Experiments using laser cooled atoms and ions show real promise for practical
applications in quantum- enhanced metrology, timing, navigation, and sensing as
well as exotic roles in quantum computing, networking and simulation. The heart
of many of these experiments has been translated to microfabricated platforms
known as atom chips whose construction readily lend themselves to integration
with larger systems and future mass production. To truly make the jump from
laboratory demonstrations to practical, rugged devices, the complex surrounding
infrastructure (including vacuum systems, optics, and lasers) also needs to be
miniatur- ized and integrated. In this paper we explore the feasibility of
applying this approach to the Magneto-Optical Trap; incorporating the vacuum
system, atom source and optical geometry into a permanently sealed micro- litre
system capable of maintaining $10^{-10}$ mbar for more than 1000 days of
operation with passive pumping alone. We demonstrate such an engineering
challenge is achievable using recent advances in semiconductor microfabrication
techniques and materials
