MEMS MICROPARTICLE SENSOR
Abstract:
A MEMS sensing device for sensing microparticles in an environment external to the MEMS sensing device is provided. The MEMS sensing device comprises a semiconductor body integrating a sensor and a pump unit, the sensor including a sensor cavity, a membrane suspended over the sensor cavity, and a piezoelectric element over the membrane and configured to cause the membrane to oscillate, about an equilibrium position, at a corresponding resonance frequency when sensing electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element during a first operative phase of the MEMS sensing device, the resonance frequency depending on an amount of microparticles located on the membrane, the membrane having a plurality of through holes for establishing a fluid communication between the sensor cavity and the environment; the pump is configured to cause air pressure in the sensor cavity to be reduced with respect to the air pressure of the environment during the first operative phase, so that microparticles are caused to adhere onto the membrane by a suction force through the plurality of through holes.
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