Abstract:
The present invention relates to a sensor comprising one or more cantilevers for use in the detection of the presence of a target molecule in a fluid sample, change of temperature or other things that cause a change of stress in the surface of the cantilever. The sensor comprises a cantilever with an integrated piezoresistive element having a pair of wires for applying an electrical field. The piezoresistive element is of p-type silicon and is arranged to have a protruding direction which is orientated along the direction of the silicon. The cantilever is clamped along a clamping line L to the wall of the sensor, so that one or more piezoresistive element clamping line line sections are formed, with a piezoresistive element claming line (L) between the two outermost points including clamping of the piezoresistive element, which piezoresistive element clamping line is at least as long as the shortest distance (H) between the point of the piezoresistive element protruding furthest from the wall. The sensor comprising one or more cantilevers can be produced from standard silicon wafers by etching .
Abstract:
MEMS devices include a substrate, an anchor attached to the substrate, and a multilayer member attached to the anchor and spaced apart from the substrate. The multilayer member can have a first portion that is remote from the anchor and that curls away from the substrate and a second portion that is adjacent the anchor that contacts the substrate. Related methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) positioning apparatus is provided that can precisely microposition an object in each of the X, Y and Z directions. The MEMS positioning apparatus includes a reference surface, a support disposed in a fixed position to the reference surface, and a stage defining a XY plane that is suspended adjacent to the support and over at least a portion of the reference surface. The MEMS positioning apparatus also includes at least one and, more typically, several actuators for precisely positioning the stage and, in turn, objects carried by the stage. For example, the MEMS positioning apparatus can include first and second MEMS actuators for moving the stage in the XY plane upon actuation. In addition, the MEMS positioning apparatus can include a Z actuator, such as a thermal bimorph structure, for moving the stage in the Z direction.
Abstract:
The MEMS switch comprises a substrate with signal-lines having fixed-contacts, a movable-plate with a movable-contact, a flexible support-member supporting the movable-plate, a static-actuator and a piezoelectric-actuator configured to contact the movable-contact with the fixed-contact. The movable-contact is provided at its longitudinal center with the movable-contact, and its both the longitudinal ends with static-movable-electrode-plate. The support-member is four strips disposed on portions outside of the both width ends of the movable plate. The strip extends along the longitudinal direction of the movable plate, provided with a first end fixed to the movable plate, and provided with a second end fixed to the substrate. The piezoelectric-element is disposed on an upper surface of the strip to be located at a portion outside of the width ends of the movable-plate. The piezoelectric-actuator is configured to develop the stress applied to the coupling-portion which is created between each the strip and the movable-plate.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanically operable display which includes a bi-stable mechanism and which can be driven at low voltage for reduced power consumption.SOLUTION: This invention relates to MEMS-based display device. In particular, the display device may include an actuator having two mechanically compliant electrodes. In addition, a bi-stable shutter assembly included in the display device and means for supporting a shutter in the shutter assembly are disclosed.