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 and method for estimating angular velocity are provided. The system and method use an accelerometer and magnetometer to estimate an angular velocity in place of a gyroscope in 9-axis sensor fusion to estimate angular orientation. The final angular velocity estimate is constructed from two partially independent angular velocity estimates, one using only magnetometer measurements and the other using only accelerometer measurements. The unobservable portion of each partial angular velocity estimate is provided by a projection from a third complete estimate that uses both accelerometer and magnetometer data.
Abstract:
Techniques are described herein that perform capacitance-based pressure sensing using pressure vessel(s). A pressure vessel is an object that has a cross section that defines a void. The void has a shape that is configured to change based on a change of 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. The pressure vessel may be formed in the shape of an enclosed loop (e.g., along a path that is perpendicular to the cross section), resulting in a looped pressure vessel. For instance, an end of the pressure vessel may be connected to another end of the pressure vessel to form the enclosed loop.
Abstract:
A method for compensating for a misalignment angle between an accelerometer and a magnetometer includes applying a corrective rotation to collected accelerometer data or magnetometer data based on an estimated misalignment angle between an axis of the accelerometer and an axis of the magnetometer. The method further includes estimating a gravity vector using the corrected accelerometer data and estimating a magnetic field vector using the corrected magnetometer data. Additionally, the method includes calculating a characteristic that is a function of a calculated angle between the estimated gravity vector and the estimated magnetic field. The method also includes calculating a figure of merit over the plurality of times that is a function of the characteristic, and dynamically adjusting the estimated misalignment angle during ordinary use of the electronic device such that the figure of merit converges to a value as the electronic device rotates.
Abstract:
In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer, including a substrate, a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is configured to measure an acceleration along a first axis parallel to a plane of the substrate. The second sensor is configured to measure an acceleration along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. The second sensor comprises a first beam, a second beam and a single support structure. The single support structure supports the first and second beams relative to the substrate, wherein the first and second beams circumscribe the first sensor. In another embodiment, the MEMS accelerometer can include a third sensor configured to measure the acceleration along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. A MEMS accelerometer according to an embodiment of the invention can be insensitive to changes in temperature and/or stresses imposed on the packaging unit.
Abstract:
An electrospray device, a liquid chromatography device and an electrospray-liquid chromatography system are disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray. The liquid chromatography device comprises a separation substrate defining an introduction channel between an entrance orifice and a reservoir and a separation channel between the reservoir and an exit orifice, the separation channel being populated with separation posts perpendicular to the fluid flow; a cover substrate bonded to the separation substrate to enclose the reservoir and the separation channel adjacent the cover substrate; and, optionally, electrode(s) for application of a electric potential to the fluid. The exit orifice of the liquid chromatography device may be homogeneously interfaced with the entrance orifice of the electrospray device to form an integrated single system. An array of multiple systems may be fabricated in a single monolithic chip for rapid sequential fluid processing and generation of electrospray for subsequent analysis, such as by positioning the exit orifices of the electrospray devices near the sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer.
Abstract:
An electrospray device, a liquid chromatography device and an electrospray-liquid chromatography system are disclosed. The electrospray device comprises a substrate defining a channel between an entrance orifice on an injection surface and an exit orifice on an ejection surface, a nozzle defined by a portion recessed from the ejection surface surrounding the exit orifice, and an electrode for application of an electric potential to the substrate to optimize and generate an electrospray; and, optionally, additional electrode(s) to further modify the electrospray. The liquid chromatography device comprises a separation substrate defining an introduction channel between an entrance orifice and a reservoir and a separation channel between the reservoir and an exit orifice, the separation channel being populated with separation posts perpendicular to the fluid flow; a cover substrate bonded to the separation substrate to enclose the reservoir and the separation channel adjacent the cover substrate; and, optionally, electrode(s) for application of a electric potential to the fluid. The exit orifice of the liquid chromatography device may be homogeneously interfaced with the entrance orifice of the electrospray device to form an integrated single system. An array of multiple systems may be fabricated in a single monolithic chip for rapid sequential fluid processing and generation of electrospray for subsequent analysis, such as by positioning the exit orifices of the electrospray devices near the sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an insulating micro-structure by etching a plurality of trenches in a silicon substrate and filling said trenches with insulating materials. The trenches are etched and then oxidized until completely or almost completely filled with silicon dioxide. Additional insulating material is then deposited as necessary to fill any remaining trenches, thus forming the structure. When the top of the structure is metallized, the insulating structure increases voltage resistance and reduces the capacitive coupling between the metal and the silicon substrate. Part of the silicon substrate underlying the structure is optionally removed further to reduce the capacitive coupling effect. Hybrid silicon-insulator structures can be formed to gain the effect of the benefits of the structure in three-dimensional configurations, and to permit metallization of more than one side of the structure.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing an insulating micro-structure by etching a plurality of trenches in a silicon substrate and filling said trenches with insulating materials. The trenches are etched and then oxidized until completely or almost completely filled with silicon dioxide. Additional insulating material is then deposited as necessary to fill any remaining trenches, thus forming the structure. When the top of the structure is metallized, the insulating structure increases voltage resistance and reduces the capacitive coupling between the metal and the silicon substrate. Part of the silicon substrate underlying the structure is optionally removed further to reduce the capacitive coupling effect. Hybrid silicon-insulator structures can be formed to gain the effect of the benefits of the structure in three-dimensional configurations, and to permit metallization of more than one side of the structure.