Abstract:
A new class of semipermeable membranes, and techniques for their fabrication, have been developed. These membranes, formed by appropriate etching of a deposited silicon nitride layer, are robust, easily manufacturable, and compatible with a wide range of silicon micromachining techniques.
Abstract:
An optical component or an analytical platform includes a substrate, an array of microstructures on the substrate and microchannels formed by side walls of adjacent microstructures, a width of the microchannels varies as a function of distance to the substrate, the width continuously decreasing with increasing distance from the substrate within at least one distance-interval. In a method for producing such a component or such a platform a substrate with an array of surface microstructures is coated in a vapor treatment in such a way that shadowing effects of the coating mechanism narrow at least partially a width of the upper parts of side walls of the microstructures thereby forming at least partially embedded microchannels.
Abstract:
The invention is a method of introducing porous membranes into MEMS elements by supporting the membranes by frames to form an heterostructure. This is achieved by attaching to a structured or porous substrate one or more monolithically fabricated frames and membranes. Having membranes disposed on frames enables them to be batch processed and facilitates separation, handling and mounting within MEMS or nanofluidic systems. Applications include, but are not limited to, filters for gases or liquids, electron transmissive windows and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) accessible arrays of nanotest tubes containing liquid phases and other sample states. The invention includes the apparatus made by the method.
Abstract:
A method for producing a structure including, on a main surface of a substrate, at least one elongated cavity having openings at opposing ends. The method includes 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 s1 and a bottom area, and have a width w1 and a height 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:
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:
A process for manufacturing a micromechanical structure envisages: forming a buried cavity within a body of semiconductor material, separated from a top surface of the body by a first surface layer; and forming an access duct for fluid communication between the buried cavity and an external environment. The method envisages: forming an etching mask on the top surface at a first access area; forming a second surface layer on the top surface and on the etching mask; carrying out an etch such as to remove, in a position corresponding to the first access area, a portion of the second surface layer, and an underlying portion of the first surface layer not covered by the etching mask until the buried cavity is reached, thus forming both the first access duct and a filter element, set between the first access duct and the same buried cavity.
Abstract:
A process for manufacturing a micromechanical structure envisages: forming a buried cavity within a body of semiconductor material, separated from a top surface of the body by a first surface layer; and forming an access duct for fluid communication between the buried cavity and an external environment. The method envisages: forming an etching mask on the top surface at a first access area; forming a second surface layer on the top surface and on the etching mask; carrying out an etch such as to remove, in a position corresponding to the first access area, a portion of the second surface layer, and an underlying portion of the first surface layer not covered by the etching mask until the buried cavity is reached, thus forming both the first access duct and a filter element, set between the first access duct and the same buried cavity.
Abstract:
Methods for filtering particles from a fluid are disclosed, wherein an array of microstructures defining respective microchannels having respective minimum widths are used to separate the fluid from particles to be filtered. The fluid flows through the minimum widths into the microchannels defined between adjacent microstructures. The particles to be filtered are prevented from passing through the respective minimum widths, resulting in filtration of those particles from the fluid. The microchannels can be provided with gradient characteristics to separate particles in the fluid according to size.
Abstract:
Methods for filtering particles from a fluid are disclosed, wherein an array of microstructures defining respective microchannels having respective minimum widths are used to separate the fluid from particles to be filtered. The fluid flows through the minimum widths into the microchannels defined between adjacent microstructures. The particles to be filtered are prevented from passing through the respective minimum widths, resulting in filtration of those particles from the fluid. The microchannels can be provided with gradient characteristics to separate particles in the fluid according to size.
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.