Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microelectromechanical system.SOLUTION: The microelectromechanical system with structures having piezoelectric actuators (104) is provided. A plurality of piezoelectric islands are supported by a body (200) having a plurality of channels (205). The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in a part of the steps, by forming cuts (145) into a thick layer of a piezoelectric material, temporarily bonding it to a handle substrate, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer (107) to the body (200) having etching formation structures, and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is smaller than depths of the cuts (140). Conductive materials (158, 210) can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes (106, 112).
Abstract:
A method of forming a microelectromechanical device with a piezoelectric transducer is described, the method comprising the steps of bonding a first surface of a body of piezoelectric material (107) to a first surface of a handle layer (135); forming alignment cuts (171) into a second surface of the body of piezoelectric material, the alignment cuts extending entirely through the body of piezoelectric material and partially into the handle layer; after forming the alignment cuts, attaching the second surface of the body of piezoelectric material to a device body; and after attaching the body of piezoelectric material to the device body, removing the handle layer from the first surface of the body of piezoelectric material.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for bonding on a silicon substrate are disclosed. An apparatus includes a membrane having a membrane surface, a groove in the membrane surface, a transducer having a transducer surface substantially parallel to the membrane surface, and an adhesive connecting the membrane surface to the transducer surface. The groove can be configured to permit flow of adhesive into and through the groove while minimizing voids or air gaps that could result from incomplete filling of the groove. Multiple grooves can be formed in the membrane surface and can be of uniform depth.
Abstract:
A method of forming a microelectromechanical device with a piezoelectric transducer is described, the method comprising the steps of bonding a first surface of a body of piezoelectric material (107) to a first surface of a handle layer (135); forming alignment cuts (171) into a second surface of the body of piezoelectric material, the alignment cuts extending entirely through the body of piezoelectric material and partially into the handle layer; after forming the alignment cuts, attaching the second surface of the body of piezoelectric material to a device body; and after attaching the body of piezoelectric material to the device body, removing the handle layer from the first surface of the body of piezoelectric material.
Abstract:
A method of forming a microelectromechanical device with a piezoelectric transducer is described, the method comprising the steps of bonding a first surface of a body of piezoelectric material (107) to a first surface of a handle layer (135); forming alignment cuts (171) into a second surface of the body of piezoelectric material, the alignment cuts extending entirely through the body of piezoelectric material and partially into the handle layer; after forming the alignment cuts, attaching the second surface of the body of piezoelectric material to a device body; and after attaching the body of piezoelectric material to the device body, removing the handle layer from the first surface of the body of piezoelectric material.
Abstract:
A nozzle layer is described that has a semiconductor body having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a nozzle formed through the body connecting the first and second surfaces, wherein the nozzle is configured to eject fluid through a nozzle outlet on the second surface, and the outlet having straight sides connected by curved corners.
Abstract:
A method is described wherein one or more parameters are measured that affect the nozzle velocity at which a printing fluid is ejected from a pumping chamber through a nozzle. The printing fluid is contained in the pumping chamber actuated by deflection of a piezoelectric layer. A surface area of an electrode actuating the piezoelectric layer is reduced based at least in part on the measured one or more parameters. Reducing the surface area of the electrode reduces the actuated area of the piezoelectric layer.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are described herein for driving droplet ejection devices with multi-level waveforms. In one embodiment, a method for driving droplet ejection devices includes applying a multi-level waveform to the droplet ejection devices. The multi-level waveform includes a first section having at least one compensating edge and a second section having at least one drive pulse. The compensating edge has a compensating effect on systematic variation in droplet velocity or droplet mass across the droplet ejection devices. In another embodiment, the compensating edge has a compensating effect on cross-talk between the droplet ejection devices.
Abstract:
A nozzle layer is described that has a semiconductor body having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a nozzle formed through the body connecting the first and second surfaces, wherein the nozzle is configured to eject fluid through a nozzle outlet on the second surface, and the outlet having straight sides connected by curved corners.