Abstract:
An electrostatic bimorph actuator includes a cantilevered flexible bimorph arm that is secured and insulated at one end to a planar substrate. In an electrostatically activated state the bimorph arm is generally parallel to the planar substrate. In a relaxed state, residual stress in the bimorph arm causes its free end to extend out-of-plane from the planar substrate. The actuator includes a substrate electrode that is secured to and insulated from the substrate and positioned under and in alignment with the bimorph arm. An electrical potential difference applied between the bimorph arm and the substrate electrode imparts electrostatic attraction between the bimorph arm and the substrate electrode to activate the actuator. As an exemplary application in which such actuators could be used, a microelectrical mechanical optical display system is described.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a microsystem, in particular for producing microswitches or microvalves, constituted on a substrate (50) and used for producing a shift between a first operating state and a second operating state by means of a heat actuated device with bi-metal switch effect. The heat-actuated device comprises a deformable element (51) connected, by opposite ends, to the substrate (50) so as to present naturally a deflection without stress relative to the substrate surface which faces it, said natural deflection determining the first operating state, the second operating state being produced by the heat-actuated device which induces, by the effect of temperature variation, a deformation of the deformable element (51) tending to reduce its deflection and submitting it to a compressive stress by buckling effect in a direction opposite to its natural deflection.
Abstract:
A high-sensitive micro cantilever sensor and a method for fabricating the same which is able to reduce size of a system greatly using a functional thin film has a structure in which an upper substrate comprising one or two piezoelectric cells including a cantilever, a piezoelectric layer formed on lower or upper surface of the cantilever, and electrodes formed on upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric layer is attached to a lower substrate including a cavity of an even depth by contacting the lower surface of the piezoelectric cell on the upper substrate with the cavity surface of the lower substrate.
Abstract:
A bimorph structure is produced by depositing a first material on a first surface of a first substrate to form a first element structure. A second material is deposited onto a surface of a second substrate to form a second element structure. Electrodes are deposited on a surface of each of the first element structure and the second element structure. The first element structure is bonded to a first transfer substrate, and the second element structure is bonded to a second transfer substrate. The first substrate is removed from the first element structure, and the second substrate is removed from the second element structure. Second side electrodes are deposited on a second surface of each of the first element structures and the second element structure. The first element structure and the second element structure are directly bonded to each other. One of the first transfer substrate and the second transfer substrate is then removed, and the surface of the element structure from which one of the transfer substrates has been removed is bonded to a final target substrate. Thereafter, the other transfer substrate is removed, and electrical connections are made. In a further embodiment, a micro-electromechanical dimensioned bimorph structure includes a first element structure, and a second element structure. A bonding layer bonds the first element structure directly to the second element structure.
Abstract:
A high-sensitive micro cantilever sensor and a method for fabricating the same which is able to reduce size of a system greatly using a functional thin film has a structure in which an upper substrate comprising one or two piezoelectric cells including a cantilever, a piezoelectric layer formed on lower or upper surface of the cantilever, and electrodes formed on upper and lower surfaces of the piezoelectric layer is attached to a lower substrate including a cavity of an even depth by contacting the lower surface of the piezoelectric cell on the upper substrate with the cavity surface of the lower substrate.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device has a substrate, and at least one, generally planar moving element, such as an absorber or a mirror, disposed in parallel to the surface of the substrate. An actuator is operatively engageable with the moving element for selectively actuating the moving element between a series of successive, closely spaced positions in a plane horizontal to the surface of the substrate. The MEMS device may be effectively used as a variable attenuator and beam splitter. Various different actuators can be used. Preferably, the device is fabricated using a surface micromachining process.
Abstract:
A bistable micromechanical switch that includes a substrate, at least two anchor points formed on the substrate, and a beam structure that includes a two-material beam attached to at least two anchor points. The two-material beam has a first portion, a second portion and a center portion. The first portion of the two-material beam is formed from a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material such that the first layer of the first portion is proximate to the surface of the substrate and the second layer of the first portion is remote from the surface of the substrate. The first material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the second material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion such that the second coefficient of thermal expansion is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The second portion of the two-material beam is formed from a first layer of the second material and a second layer of the first material such that the first layer of the second portion is proximate to the surface of the substrate and the second layer of the second portion is remote from the surface of the substrate. The beam structure has a first and a second stable state such that the center portion of the beam structure is deflected toward the surface of the substrate for the first stable state and is deflected away from the surface of the substrate for the second stable state.
Abstract:
A MEMS actuator comprising a frame structure and at least one actuator arm. The actuator arm is connected at a first end to the frame structure and at a second end to an actuator body. The MEMS actuator is characterized in that the at least one actuator arm has a meander structure comprising two or more actuator sections. The two or more actuator sections are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the actuator arm. Furthermore, the two or more actuator sections comprise at least one layer of an actuator material, wherein a movement of the actuator body can be effected by actuating the two or more actuator sections. Further disclosed is a method for producing the MEMS actuator.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a microelectromechanical device that features a fixed structure defining a cavity, a tiltable structure elastically suspended within the cavity, and a piezoelectrically driven actuation structure that rotates the tiltable structure about a first rotation axis. The actuation structure includes driving arms with piezoelectric material, elastically coupled to the tiltable structure by decoupling elastic elements that are stiff to out-of-plane movements but compliant to torsional movements. The tiltable structure is elastically coupled to the fixed structure at the first rotation axis using elastic suspension elements, while the fixed structure forms a frame surrounding the cavity with supporting elements. A lever mechanism is coupled between a supporting element and a driving arm.
Abstract:
Aspects of the subject disclosure include a pressure-sensing device consisting of a housing including a membrane and one or more piezoresistive elements disposed on the membrane to sense a displacement due to a deflection of the membrane. A first set of electrodes is disposed over the membrane, and a second set of electrodes is disposed on a permeable port of the device at a distance from the membrane. The first and second sets of electrodes form an electrostatic actuator to exert a repulsive force onto the membrane to reduce the deflection of the membrane.