Abstract:
A micromechanical particle sorting chip uses an actuator divided into two parts to direct a component of interest into one of a plurality of possible exit paths, based on detection of a fluorescent signal emanating from the component of interest. The two-part actuator may include a force-generating portion (350) and a microactuator portion (330). The microactuator portion (330) may be disposable, whereas the force-generating portion (350) may be reuseable. By bringing the force-generating portion (350) into proximity to the microactuator portion (330), the microactuator (300) is induced to move, thereby separating the component of interest from the rest of the fluid stream. The force-generating portion (350) and the microactuator portion (330) may be optimized and fabricated separately, thereby leading to faster, more reliable and less expensive particle sorting.
Abstract:
A micromechanical particle sorting chip uses an actuator divided into two parts to direct a component of interest into one of a plurality of possible exit paths, based on detection of a fluorescent signal emanating from the component of interest. The two-part actuator may include a force-generating portion and a microactuator portion. The microactuator portion may be disposable, whereas the force-generating portion may be reuseable. By bringing the force-generating portion into proximity to the microactuator portion, the microactuator is induced to move, thereby separating the component of interest from the rest of the fluid stream. The force-generating portion and the microactuator portion may be optimized and fabricated separately, thereby leading to faster, more reliable and less expensive particle sorting.
Abstract:
A method for forming a cavity in a microfabricated structure, includes the sealing of that cavity with a low temperature solder. The method may include forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate, forming a flexible membrane over the sacrificial layer, forming a release hole through a flexible membrane to the sacrificial layer, introducing an etchant through the release hole to remove the sacrificial layer, and then sealing that release hole with a low temperature solder.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for forming an electrostatic MEMS plate switch include forming a deformable plate on a first substrate, forming the electrical contacts on a second substrate, and coupling the two substrates using a hermetic seal. The deformable plate may have at least one shunt bar located at a nodal line of a vibrational mode of the deformable plate, so that the shunt bar remains relatively stationary when the plate is vibrating in that vibrational mode. The hermetic seal may be a gold/indium alloy, formed by heating a layer of indium plated over a layer of gold. Electrical access to the electrostatic MEMS switch may be made by forming vias through the thickness of the second substrate.
Abstract:
A system and a method are described for forming features at the bottom of a cavity in a substrate. Embodiments of the systems and methods provide an infrared transmitting, hermetic lid for a microdevice. The lid may be manufactured by first forming small, subwavelength features on a surface of an infrared transmitting substrate, and coating the subwavelength features with an etch stop material. A spacer wafer is then bonded to the infrared transmitting substrate, and a device cavity is etched into the spacer wafer down to the etch stop material, exposing the subwavelength features. The etch stop material may then be removed, and the microdevice enclosed in the device cavity, by bonding the device wafer to the lid.
Abstract:
A MEMS hysteretic thermal device may have a cantilevered beam which bends about one or more points in at least two substantially different directions. In one exemplary embodiment, the MEMS hysteretic thermal device is made from a first segment coupled to an anchor point, and also coupled to a second segment by a joint. Heating two respective drive beams causes the first segment to bend in a direction substantially about th& anchor point and the second segment to bend in a direction substantially about the joint. By cooling the first drive beam faster than the second drive beam, the motion of the MEMS thermal device may be hysteretic. The MEMS hysteretic thermal device may be used for example, as an electrical switch or as a valve or piston.
Abstract:
A micromechanical particle sorting chip uses laser light directed through at least one of a reflective and refractive surface to come to a focus in an optically transparent layer. The laser light impinges on a particle of interest, causing it to fluoresce. Upon detecting the fluorescence, a micromemchanical actuator is activated, which directs the particle of interest into one of a plurality of possible exit paths.
Abstract:
A composite wafer for fabricating MEMS devices is provided with a plurality of antistiction bumps, buried under a device layer of the composite wafer. The antistiction bumps are prepared lithographically, by patterning an antistiction material prior to the assembly of the composite wafer.
Abstract:
A method for forming through silicon vias (TSVs) in a silicon substrate is disclosed. The method involves forming a silicon post as an annulus in a first side of a silicon substrate, removing material from an opposite side to the level of the annulus, removing the silicon post and replacing it with a metal material to form a metal via extending through the thickness of the substrate.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for forming an encapsulated device include a substantially hermetic seal which seals a device in an environment between two substrates. The substantially hermetic seal is formed by an alloy of two metal layers, one having a lower melting temperature than the other. The metal layers may be deposited two substrates, along with a raised feature formed under at least one of the metal layers. The two metals may form an alloy of a predefined stoichiometry in at least two locations on either side of the midpoint of the raised feature. The formation of the alloy may be improved by the use of an organic wetting layer adjacent to the lower melting temperature metal. Design guidelines are set forth for reducing or eliminating the leakage of molten metal into the areas adjacent to the bondlines.