Abstract:
A microphone system includes a diaphragm suspended by springs and including a sealing layer that seals passageways which, if left open, would degrade the microphone's frequency response by allowing air to pass from one side of the diaphragm to the other when the diaphragm is responding to an incident acoustic signal. In some embodiments, the sealing layer may include an equalization aperture to allow pressure to equalize on both sides of the diaphragm.
Abstract:
A gas sensor device with temperature uniformity is presented herein. In an implementation, a device includes a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrate layer, a dielectric layer and a gas sensing layer. The dielectric layer is deposited on the CMOS substrate layer. Furthermore, the dielectric layer includes a temperature sensor and a heating element coupled to a heat transfer layer associated with a set of metal interconnections. The gas sensing layer is deposited on the dielectric layer.
Abstract:
A MEMS device includes a MEMS substrate with a movable element. Further included is a CMOS substrate with a cavity, the MEMS substrate disposed on top of the CMOS substrate. Additionally, a back cavity is connected to the CMOS substrate, the back cavity being formed at least partially by the cavity in the CMOS substrate and the movable element being acoustically coupled to the back cavity.
Abstract:
A MEMS device includes a MEMS substrate with a movable element. Further included is a CMOS substrate with a cavity, the MEMS substrate disposed on top of the CMOS substrate. Additionally, a back cavity is connected to the CMOS substrate, the back cavity being formed at least partially by the cavity in the CMOS substrate and the movable element being acoustically coupled to the back cavity.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting gases in an environment using chemical and thermal sensing. In one embodiment, a method includes exposing a chemiresistor embedded within a sensor pixel to a gas in an environment; setting a heater embedded within the sensor pixel to a sensing temperature, the sensing temperature being greater than room temperature; measuring an electrical resistance of the chemiresistor in response to setting the heater to the sensing temperature; and in response to a difference between the electrical resistance of the chemiresistor and a reference electrical resistance being less than a threshold, supplying a fixed power input to the heater embedded within the sensor pixel and measuring a temperature of the sensor pixel relative to a reference temperature.
Abstract:
Microelectromechanical microphones include structures that permit differential capacitive sensing. In certain structures, a movable plate is disposed between a rigid plate and a substrate. A first capacitor is formed between the movable plate and the substrate and a second capacitor is formed between the movable plate and the rigid plate. Respective bias voltages can be applied to the rigid plate and the substrate, and a differential capacitive signal can be probed in response to displacement of the movable plate caused by a pressure wave. The movable plate and the rigid plate are mechanically coupled to first and second portions of the substrate, respectively. A dielectric member mechanically couples the movable plate and the rigid plate, thus providing mechanical stability.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting gases in an environment using chemical and thermal sensing. In one embodiment, a method includes exposing a chemiresistor embedded within a sensor pixel to a gas in an environment; setting a heater embedded within the sensor pixel to a sensing temperature, the sensing temperature being greater than room temperature; measuring an electrical resistance of the chemiresistor in response to setting the heater to the sensing temperature; and in response to a difference between the electrical resistance of the chemiresistor and a reference electrical resistance being less than a threshold, supplying a fixed power input to the heater embedded within the sensor pixel and measuring a temperature of the sensor pixel relative to a reference temperature.
Abstract:
Gas sensing material for a gas sensor device is presented herein. In an implementation, a method includes generating a tin dioxide material by adding metal chloride and metal acetate to a mixture comprising tin dioxide and ammonium hydroxide, generating a precipitate substance by adding an organic solvent to the tin dioxide material, generating a slurry mixture from the precipitate substance by performing a centrifugation process and by adding water to the precipitate substance, generating a dry powder material by heating the slurry mixture via a heat treating process, generating an ink material by suspending the dry powder material in a surfactant substance, and printing the ink material onto a gas sensor.
Abstract:
Various embodiments provide for a method for roughening a surface of a MEMs device or the surface of a CMOS surface. A first material can be deposited in a thin layer over a surface made of a second material. After heating, the first and second materials, they can partially melt and interdiffuse, forming an alloy. The first material can then be removed and the alloy is removed at the same time. The surface of the second material that is left behind has then been roughened due to the interdiffusion of the first and second materials.
Abstract:
Facilitating live fingerprint detection utilizing an integrated ultrasound and infrared (IR) sensor is presented herein. A fingerprint sensor can comprise a first substrate comprising the IR sensor, and a second substrate comprising an ultrasonic transducer. The second substrate is attached to a top portion of the first substrate, and a temperature output of the IR sensor facilitates a determination that a fingerprint output of the ultrasonic transducer corresponds to a finger. The IR sensor can comprise polysilicon comprising a thermopile and an array of photonic crystals thermally coupled to the thermopile.