Abstract:
A pressure sensor with double measuring scale includes: a flexible body designed to undergo deflection as a function of a the pressure; piezoresistive transducers for detecting the deflection; a first focusing region designed to concentrate, during a first operating condition, a first value of the pressure in a first portion of the flexible body so as to generate a deflection of the first portion of the flexible body; and a second focusing region designed to concentrate, during a second operating condition, a second value of said pressure in a second portion of the flexible body so as to generate a deflection of the second portion of the flexible body. The piezoresistive transducers correlate the deflection of the first portion of the flexible body to the first pressure value and the deflection of the second portion of the flexible body to the second pressure value.
Abstract:
A MEMS force sensor has: a substrate; a fixed electrode coupled to the substrate; and a mobile electrode suspended above the substrate at the fixed electrode to define a sensing capacitor, the mobile electrode being designed to undergo deformation due to application of a force to be detected. A dielectric material region is set on the fixed electrode and spaced apart by an air gap from the mobile electrode, in resting conditions. The mobile electrode comes to bear upon the dielectric material region upon application of a minimum detectable value of the force, so that a contact surface between the mobile electrode and the dielectric material region increases, in particular in a substantially linear way, as the force increases.
Abstract:
A PMUT device includes a membrane element extending perpendicularly to a first direction and configured to generate and receive ultrasonic waves by oscillating about an equilibrium position. At least two piezoelectric elements are included, with each one located over the membrane element along the first direction and configured to cause the membrane element to oscillate when electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element, and generate electric signals in response to oscillations of the membrane element. The membrane element has a lobed shape along a plane perpendicular to the first direction, with the lobed shape including at least two lobes. The membrane element includes for each piezoelectric member a corresponding membrane portion including a corresponding lobe, with each piezoelectric member being located over its corresponding membrane portion.
Abstract:
A microfluidic dispenser device of inhalable substances includes a casing, housed in which are a driving circuit and a microfluidic cartridge having a tank that contains a liquid to be delivered. The microfluidic cartridge is provided with at least one nebulizer controlled by the driving device. The nebulizer includes: a substrate; a plurality of chambers formed on the substrate and fluidically coupled to the tank for receiving the liquid to be delivered; and a plurality of heaters, which are formed on the substrate in positions corresponding to respective chambers, are thermally coupled to the respective chambers and are separated from the respective chambers by an insulating layer, and are controlled by the driving device. Each chamber is fluidically connected with the outside by at least one respective nozzle.
Abstract:
A PMUT device includes a membrane element adapted to generate and receive ultrasonic waves by oscillating, about an equilibrium position, at a corresponding resonance frequency. A piezoelectric element is located over the membrane element along a first direction and configured to cause the membrane element to oscillate when electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element, and generate electric signals in response to oscillations of the membrane element. A damper is configured to reduce free oscillations of the membrane element, and the damper includes a damper cavity surrounding the membrane element, and a polymeric member having at least a portion over the damper cavity along the first direction.
Abstract:
A MEMS device having a body with a first and a second surface, a first portion and a second portion. The MEMS device further has a cavity extending in the body from the second surface; a deformable portion between the first surface and the cavity; and a piezoelectric actuator arranged on the first surface, on the deformable portion. The deformable portion has a first region with a first thickness and a second region with a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The second region is adjacent to the first region and to the first portion of the body.
Abstract:
A microfluidic device for continuous ejection of fluids includes: a semiconductor body that laterally delimits chambers; an intermediate structure which forms membranes each delimiting a top of a corresponding chamber; and a nozzle body which overlies the intermediate structure. The device includes, for each chamber: a corresponding piezoelectric actuator; a supply channel which traverses the intermediate structure and communicates with the chamber; and a nozzle which traverses the nozzle body and communicates with the supply channel. Each actuator is configured to operate i) in a resting condition such that the pressure of a fluid within the corresponding chamber causes the fluid to pass through the supply channel and become ejected from the nozzle as a continuous stream, and ii) in an active condition, where it causes a deformation of the corresponding membrane and a consequent variation of the pressure of the fluid, causing a temporary interruption of the continuous stream.
Abstract:
The MEMS actuator is formed by a body, which surrounds a cavity and by a deformable structure, which is suspended on the cavity and is formed by a movable portion and by a plurality of deformable elements. The deformable elements are arranged consecutively to each other, connect the movable portion to the body and are each subject to a deformation. The MEMS actuator further comprises at least one plurality of actuation structures, which are supported by the deformable elements and are configured to cause a translation of the movable portion greater than the deformation of each deformable element. The actuation structures each have a respective first piezoelectric region.
Abstract:
Various embodiments provide an ejection device for a fluid. The ejection device includes a first semiconductor wafer, housing, on a first side thereof, a piezoelectric actuator and an outlet channel for the fluid alongside the piezoelectric actuator; a second semiconductor wafer having, on a first side thereof, a recess and, on a second side thereof opposite to the first side, at least one inlet channel for said fluid fluidically coupled to the recess; and a dry-film coupled to a second side, opposite to the first side, of the first wafer. The first and the second wafers are coupled together so that the piezoelectric actuator and the outlet channel are set directly facing, and completely contained in, the recess that forms a reservoir for the fluid. The dry-film has an ejection nozzle.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical membrane transducer includes: a supporting structure; a cavity formed in the supporting structure; a membrane coupled to the supporting structure so as to cover the cavity on one side; a cantilever damper, which is fixed to the supporting structure around the perimeter of the membrane and extends towards the inside of the membrane at a distance from the membrane; and a damper piezoelectric actuator set on the cantilever damper and configured so as to bend the cantilever damper towards the membrane in response to an electrical actuation signal.