Abstract:
A method for etching an ultra-shallow channel includes using an etch process that is selective for one material to etch a different material in order to achieve a very precise channel depth in the different material. Channels as shallow as 10 nm can be fabricated in silicon with precision of 5 nm or better using the method. Stepped channels can be fabricated where each segment is a different depth, with the segments being between 10 nm and 1000 nm in depth. The method is applied to create a fluidic channel which includes a channel substrate to which is bonded a lid substrate to confine fluids to the fluidic channels so fabricated.
Abstract:
An accelerometer. A silicon wafer is etched to form a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a resilient coupling between, the fixed and movable portions generally arranged in the plane of the wafer, the mass of the movable portion being concentrated on one side of the resilient coupling. One of the fixed and moveable portions of the silicon structure includes a first electrode. The other of the fixed and moveable portions includes a second electrode oriented parallel to the axis of acceleration, and an electrically-conductive layer electrically connected as a third electrode coplanar and mechanically coupled with the second electrode. The second and third electrodes are arranged in capacitive opposition to the first electrode, the capacitance between the first electrode and third electrode increasing as the movable portion moves in a direction along the axis of acceleration relative to the fixed portion and decreasing as the movable portion moves in an opposite direction. A resilient coupling retains the first and third electrodes in capacitive opposition to each other across a capacitance gap while allowing motion of the first electrode relative to the second and third electrodes in response to acceleration along an axis of acceleration perpendicular to the plane of the wafer, and resiliently restores the first electrode to an equilibrium position when the acceleration ceases. The second electrode is in opposition to a majority of the surface area of the first electrode when the electrodes are in the equilibrium position. Capacitance between the first and third electrodes is measured to obtain a measurement of acceleration along the axis.
Abstract in simplified Chinese:本文描述了具有RMS输出的加速度计。例如,示例加速度计可以包括MEMS设备和ASIC。MEMS设备包括具有响应于物体加速度而改变的属性的结构。ASIC至少部分地基于属性的改变来决定物体的加速度。ASIC包括模拟电路系统、ADC和固件。模拟电路系统测量属性的变化,并生成表示属性变化的模拟信号。ADC将模拟信号转换为数码信号。固件包括RMS固件。RMS固件对数码信号的表示运行RMS计算,以提供表示物体加速度量的RMS值。
Abstract in simplified Chinese:本文中描述的技术使用包括可变形压力容器的压力传感器进行压力传感。压力容器是具有界定空隙的横截面的物体。可变形压力容器是具有至少一个弯曲部分的压力容器,该至少一个弯曲部分设以基于空腔中的空腔压力与压力容器中的容器压力之间的压力差而在结构上变形(例如弯曲、切变、伸长等),该压力容器之至少一部分被悬置在该空腔中。
Abstract in simplified Chinese:本发明提供一种用于估计角速度之系统及方法。代替使用呈9轴传感器融合之一陀螺仪,该系统及方法使用一加速度仪及磁力仪来估计一角速度以估计角定向。最终角速度估计由两个部分地独立角速度估计构成,一个估计使用仅磁力仪量测且另一估计使用仅加速度仪量测。每一部分角速度估计之不可观测部分由来自使用加速度仪及磁力仪数据两者之一第三完整估计之一投影提供。
Abstract:
Techniques are described herein that perform pressure sensing using pressure sensor(s) that include deformable pressure vessel(s). A pressure vessel is an object that has a cross section that defines a void. A deformable pressure vessel is a pressure vessel that has at least one curved portion that is configured to structurally deform (e.g., bend, shear, elongate, etc.) based on a pressure difference between a cavity pressure in a cavity in which at least a portion of the pressure vessel is suspended and a vessel pressure in the pressure vessel.
Abstract:
A system (10) and method detect freefall associated with an object that is spinning or tumbling as it falls. Two tri-axis accelerometers (14, 16) provide inputs to an algorithm (28) that detects the freefall of a spinning object that would not otherwise be detected by a conventional freefall detection system, due to the centrifugal and centripetal forces being placed on the falling object as it spins. The system can be used to detect the freefall of portable devices with onboard memory or hard disk drives, allowing the devices to have time to park the read/write head and reduce the potential of losing data that can be damaged by impact. This freefall detection system may be applied to such portable devices as notebook computers, PDAs, MP3 players, digital cameras, mobile phones and even automobiles.
Abstract:
Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.