Abstract:
A method for forming a biological microdevice includes applying a biocompatible coarse scale additive process with an additive device and a biocompatible material to form an object. The coarse scale is a dimension not less than about 100 μm. The method also includes applying a biocompatible fine scale subtractive process with a subtractive device to the object. The fine scale is a dimension not greater than about 1000 μm. The method also includes moving the object between the additive device and the subtractive device. A system is also provided for performing the above method and includes the additive device, the subtractive device, a means for transporting the object between the additive device and subtractive device and a processor with a memory including instructions to perform one or more of the above method steps.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a void region associated with a substrate, comprising: a) providing a substrate; b) forming a sacrificial mass over the substrate; c) subjecting the mass to hydrogen to convert a component of the mass to a volatile form; and d) volatilizing the volatile form of the component from the mass to leave a void region associated with the substrate. In another aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a capacitor construction, comprising: a) forming a first capacitor electrode over a substrate; b) forming a sacrificial material proximate the first capacitor electrode; c) forming a second capacitor electrode proximate the sacrificial material, the second capacitor electrode being separated from the first capacitor electrode by the sacrificial material, at least one of the first and second electrodes being a metal-comprising layer; and d) subjecting the sacrificial material to conditions which transport a component from the sacrificial material to the metal-comprising layer, the transported component leaving a void region between the first and second capacitor electrodes.
Abstract:
A microstructure and a method for manufacturing the same includes: disposing a liquid film on a surface of a substrate, wherein a solid-liquid interface is formed where the liquid film is in contact with the substrate; and irradiating the substrate with a laser of a predetermined waveband to etch the substrate at the solid-liquid interface, wherein the position where the laser is irradiated on the solid-liquid interface moves at least along a direction parallel to the surface of the substrate, and the absorption rate of the liquid film for the laser is greater than the absorption rate of the substrate for the laser.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a machine for machining a part by micro-electrical discharge machining, said machine comprising a mechanism (44, 45, 46, 48) for modifying the configuration of the machine so as to alternatively and reversibly switch from a machining configuration to a sharpening configuration in which the tip of a same etching electrode (20) and another electrode (64) are dipped in an electrolyte bath in order to sharpen the tip of the etching electrode by electrochemnical corrosion.
Abstract:
MEMS devices (40) using etched cavities (42) are desirably formed using multiple etching steps. Preliminary cavities (20) formed by locally anisotropic etching to nearly the final depth have irregular (46) sidewalls (44) and steep and/or inconsistent sidewall (44) to bottom (54) intersection angles (48). This leads to less than desired cavity diaphragm (26) burst strengths. Final cavities (42) with smooth sidewalls (50), smaller and consistent sidewall (50) to bottom (54) intersection angles (58), and having more than doubled cavity diaphragm (26) burst strengths are obtained by treating the preliminary cavities (20) with TMAH etchant, preferably relatively dilute TMAH etchant. In a preferred embodiment, a cleaning step is performed between the etching step and the TMAH treatment step to remove any anisotropic etching by-products present on the preliminary cavities' (20) initial sidewalls (44). The multi-step cavity etching procedure is especially useful for forming robust MEMS pressure sensors, but is applicable to any type of MEMS device.
Abstract:
A method of nanomachining is provided. The method includes plunging a nanometer-scaled tip into a surface of a substrate at a first location in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface, thereby displacing a first portion of the substrate with the tip. The method also includes withdrawing the tip from the substrate in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction. The method further includes moving at least one of the tip and the substrate laterally relative to each other. In addition, the method also includes plunging the tip into the substrate at a second location in a third direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction, thereby displacing a second portion of the substrate with the tip and withdrawing the tip from the substrate in a fourth direction that is substantially opposite to the third direction.
Abstract:
The invention provides a process for introducing a three-dimensional configuration of micron to sub-micron size in a polymeric substrate comprising applying a catalyst for the selective removal of sub-unit parts of the polymer to at least one predetermined area of the polymer substrate via a pipette with a nano-sized orifice.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a diaphragm utilising a precision grinding technique after etching a cavity in a wafer. A technique for preventing distortion of the diaphragm based on use of a sacrificial layer of porous silicon is disclosed.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a void region associated with a substrate, comprising: a) providing a substrate; b) forming a sacrificial mass over the substrate; c) subjecting the mass to hydrogen to convert a component of the mass to a volatile form; and d) volatilizing the volatile form of the component from the mass to leave a void region associated with the substrate. In another aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a capacitor construction, comprising: a) forming a first capacitor electrode over a substrate; b) forming a sacrificial material proximate the first capacitor electrode; c) forming a second capacitor electrode proximate the sacrificial material, the second capacitor electrode being separated from the first capacitor electrode by the sacrificial material, at least one of the first and second electrodes being a metal-comprising layer; and d) subjecting the sacrificial material to conditions which transport a component from the sacrificial material to the metal-comprising layer, the transported component leaving a void region between the first and second capacitor electrodes.
Abstract:
A semiconductor package that contains an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die and a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) die. The MEMS die and the ASIC die are coupled to a substrate that includes an opening that extends through the substrate and is in fluid communication with an air cavity positioned between and separating the MEMS die from the substrate. The opening exposes the air cavity to an external environment and, following this, the air cavity exposes a MEMS element of the MEMS die to the external environment. The air cavity separating the MEMS die from the substrate is formed with a method of manufacturing that utilizes a thermally decomposable die attach material.