Abstract:
A sensor assembly (100) has a substrate (102) with a microchannel (104) formed therein through which a fluid flows. At least one sensor (106) is proximate to the microchannel. The temperature of the at least one sensor or fluid indicates the condition of the fluid including the flow rate and the presence of gas bubbles and particulate substance.
Abstract:
A parylene C polymer that is electrically poled such that it is piezoelectric is presented. Methods for manufacturing the piezoelectric parylene C polymer with an optimal piezoelectric coefficient d33 are also disclosed. Actuators formed with piezoelectric parylene C are disclosed as well as sensor devices that incorporate piezoelectric parylene C using charge integrator circuits in which the integration time is longer than likely adiabatic temperature transients.
Abstract:
A biocompatible, mechanical, micromachined pressure sensor and methods of manufacturing such a pressure sensor are provided. The pressure sensor of the current invention comprises a high-aspect-ratio curved-tube structure fabricated through a one-layer parylene process. The pressure sensor of the current invention requires zero power consumption and indicates the pressure variation by changes of the in situ in-plane motion of the sensor, which can be gauged externally by a direct and convenient optical observation. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor of the current invention has been shown to work as an IOP sensor for eye implantation where the intraocular in-plane motion of the sensor can be recorded from outside of the eye, such that the intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients can be constantly monitored.
Abstract:
An accelerometer device comprises a dielectric seismic mass separated by a gap from an underlying comb-shaped planar capacitor. The principle for measuring acceleration detecting capacitance change according to movement of the dielectric mass in the fringe electrical field. This measuring principle is verified by FEM simulation. The simple structure of the accelerometer device allows the polymer Parylene to be used as the proof mass, greatly simplifying the technology by requiring only surface micromachining. Prototype accelerometers are fabricated and calibrated with the aid of off-chip capacitive readout IC.
Abstract:
A surface-micromachined mass flow controller (MFC) comprises an electrostatically actuated microvalve integrated with a thermal flow sensor. The microvalve comprises a normally-open diaphragm defining an aperture allowing fluid communication between first and second flow channels. The diaphragm includes a second electrode actuable toward a valve seat including a first electrode. Fabricated utilizing a multilayer Parylene process, the active microvalve and the flow sensor are integrated onto a single chip to perform closed-loop flow control. For flow control, both Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and actuation voltage adjustment are demonstrated.
Abstract:
An IC-integrates, flexible, shear-stress sensor skin is made by providing a wafer with integrated circuits and sensor elements which are fabricated in the wafer, disposing a first polymer layer on the wafer and sensor elements to provide mechanical support for the sensor elements, defining a cavity below the sensor elements to provide thermal isolation, while the sensor element remains supported by the first polymer layer, and isolating the sensor elements into a plurality of islands defined in the wafer, so that the islands, with at least one sensor element on at least one of the islands, and the integrated circuits form the IC-integrated, flexible, shear-stress sensor skin. The invention is an IC-integrated, flexible, sensor skin made according to the method.
Abstract:
A MEMS device with an overhanging "polymer" capillary (20) provides vital and significant improvements in interfacing a MEMS electrospray nozzle (50) to an MS inlet or other macroscopic instrumentation. The fabrication methodology associated therewith is easily expanded to include built-in micro particle filters (71) and centimeter long serpentine micro channels (75) provided on-chip (19) and fabricated using a low temperature process.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a micropackaged device comprising: a substrate for securing a device with a corrosion barrier affixed to the substrate, wherein the corrosion barrier comprises a first thin-film layer, a metal film coating the thin-film layer and a second thin-film layer to provide a sandwich layer; and optionally at least one feedthrough disposed in the substrate to permit at least one input and or at least one output line into the micropackaged device, wherein the micropackaged device is encapsulated by the corrosion barrier. Methods of producing the micropackaged device are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of forming a blood-clot microvalve by heating blood in a capillary tube of a microfluidic device. Also described are methods of modulating liquid flow in a capillary tube by forming and removing a blood-clot microvalve.