Abstract:
Surface micromachining and bulk micromachining are employed for realizing a porous membrane with bulk support for a microparticle filter. The filter is manufactured by a process employing a thin film etch-stop, in which the bulk substrate is etched using a first etching process followed by etching of the etch stop and of material within pores of a filter layer using a second etching process. The filter is sufficiently sturdy to allow for easy handling. It may be used as a diffusion barrier and under high pressures. The disclosed fabrication method is simple, reliable, and integrated-circuit compatible, and thus amenable to mass production. Electronic circuitry may be integrated on the filter surface, as may be desired for several purposes, such as fluid characterization, filter self-cleaning, or charging of the filter surfaces. Methods are shown for the realization of biological containment capsules based on this microfilter.
Abstract:
Microfabricated filters utilizing a bulk substrate structure and a thin film structure and a method for constructing such filters. The pores of the filters are defined by spaces between the bulk substrate structure and the thin film structure and are of substantially uniform width, length and distribution. The width of the pores is defined by the thickness of a sacrificial layer and therefore may be smaller than the limit of resolution obtainable with photolithography. The filters provide enhanced mechanical strength, chemical inertness, biological compatibility, and throughput. The filters are constructed using relatively simple fabrication techniques. Also, microfabricated containment wells and capsules constructed with such filters for the immunological isolation of cell transplants and a method for constructing such containment wells and capsules. The pores of the wells and capsules are large enough to let a desired biologically-active molecular product through, while blocking the passage of all larger immunological molecules. The containment wells and capsules provide enhanced biological compatibility and useful life.
Abstract:
In embodiments, a package assembly may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) having an active side and an inactive side. In embodiments, the MEMS may be coupled directly to the ASIC by way of one or more interconnects. The MEMS, ASIC, and one or more interconnects may define or form a cavity such that the active portion of the MEMS is within the cavity. In some embodiments, the package assembly may include a plurality of MEMS coupled directly to the ASIC by way of a plurality of one or more interconnects. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
Abstract:
Es wird ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Bauelements und ein Bauelement, insbesondere ein mikromechanisches und/oder mikrofluidisches und/oder mikroelektronisches Bauelement, vorgeschlagen, wobei das Bauelement wenigstens einen strukturierten Materialbereich umfasst, wobei in einem ersten Schritt der strukturierte Materialbereich dadurch hergestellt wird, dass Mikropartikel eines ersten Materials in einer Matrix eines zweiten Materials eingebettet werden und wobei in einem zweiten Schritt der strukturierte Materialbereich mittels eines Trockenätzverfahrens oder eines Gasphasenätzverfahrens porös geätzt wird.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the fabrication of a membrane oriented in a (111) plane of a (100) silicon wafer. To this end the method comprises the following steps: applying a mask to both sides of the wafer, wherein portions of the sides are covered by the mask; and the at least partial removal by etching away silicon material from the portions of the two sides of the wafer that are not covered. This method is characterised in that the etching step substantially removes the silicon material forming recesses in the two surfaces of the wafer, such that the walls of the recesses are formed by (111) planes, and in that not covered portions at both sides of the wafer are aligned in relation to one another such that a (111) plane is formed and the distance d between said two planes is less than the thickness of the silicon wafer, so as to form a membrane in the (111) plane having a thickness d. Such a membrane has many application possibilities in the field of MEMS, for example by dividing the membrane into individual cantilevers.
Abstract:
Using phase separation technique perforated as well as non-perforated polymeric structures can be made with high aspect ratios (>5). By varying the phase separation process the properties (e.g. porous, non-porous, dense, open skin) of the moulded product can be tuned. Applications are described in the field of micro fluidics (e.g. micro arrays, electrophoretic boards), optics, polymeric solar cells, ball grid arrays, and tissue engineering.
Abstract:
A method of forming a membrane with nanometer scale pores includes forming a sacrificial etch stop layer on a substrate. A base layer is constructed on the sacrificial etch stop layer. Micrometer scale pores are formed within the base layer. A sacrificial base layer is built on the base layer. The sacrificial base layer is removed from selected regions of the base layer to define nanometer scale pores within the base layer. The resultant membrane has sub-fifty nanometer pores formed within it.
Abstract:
A method for producing a structure comprising, on a main surface of a substrate, at least one elongated cavity having openings at opposing ends. The method comprises providing a substrate having a main surface. On the main surface, a first pair of features are formed that protrude perpendicularly from the main surface. The features have elongated sidewalls and a top surface, are parallel to one another, are separated by a gap having a width sl and a bottom area, and have a width wl and a height h1. A ratio of h1/w1 is in the range of 3 to 30 and wherein the separation gap sl is less than twice the height of h1. At least the main surface of the substrate and the first pair of features are brought in contact with a liquid, suitable for making a contact angle of less than 90° with the material of the elongated sidewalls and subsequently, the substrate is dried.
Abstract:
A process for manufacturing a micromechanical structure (25) envisages: forming a buried cavity (10) within a body (1, 12) of semiconductor material, separated from a top surface (12a) of the body by a first surface layer (12); and forming an access duct (18a) for fluid communication between the buried cavity (10) and an external environment. The method envisages: forming an etching mask (14) on the top surface (12a) at a first access area (17a); forming a second surface layer (15) on the top surface (12a) and on the etching mask (14); carrying out an etch such as to remove, in a position corresponding to the first access area, a portion of the second surface layer (15), and an underlying portion of the first surface layer (12) not covered by the etching mask (14) until the buried cavity is reached, thus forming both the first access duct (18a) and a filter element (20), set between the first access duct and the same buried cavity.
Abstract:
A method for producing a component and a component are proposed, particularly a micromechanical and/or microfluidic and/or microelectronic component, wherein the component comprises at least one structured material region, wherein in a first step the structured material region is produced in that microparticles of a first material are embedded in a matrix of a second material and wherein in a second step the structured material region is etched by means of a dry etching method or a gas-phase etching method thereby rendering it porous.