摘要:
A method for producing a three-dimensional object includes the steps of providing an interface plane within a chamber and generating a beam of radiant energy having varied levels of beam energy density. The beam is directed to selectively expose a pattern of address points on the interface plane to the beam of radiant energy for a limited duration. Conditions are established in the chamber to enable the beam to induce a micro-chemical reaction at the interface plane at a rate which serves to form a portion of the three-dimensional object. A significant feature of the invention is that the micro-chemical reaction is substantially binary with respect to the beam energy density. That is, the reaction is either substantially "on" or substantially "off."
摘要:
A ferroelectric motor comprises a single layer of ferroelectric material electrically excited by an array of electrical contacts and an electrical excitation source for supplying phased electrical signals to the contacts thereby creating a travelling wave of mechanical deformation in the ferroelectric layer and actuating an actuator. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the actuator may be linear or rotary. The motor may be fabricated on a single integrated circuit die, in which case the layer of ferroelectric material may be a thin film of PZT. In other embodiments a motor may comprise two dies which are sandwiched together by wafer to wafer bonding. Portions of a die may be removed to permit a linear actuator to project beyond the die.
摘要:
An electrical device comprises a three-dimensional body formed from an organic polymer and a plurality of electrical elements attached to the body. The body has a regular pattern of sockets in its surface, and the electrical elements have barbed appendages, or, alternatively, the body has appendages and the electrical elements have sockets. The elements are affixed to the body by insertion of the appendages into the sockets. Electrical connections between the electrical elements are formed by selective deposition of tungsten onto the surface of the body with a scanning laser beam. A miniature ("gnat") robot can be constructed using those constructional techniques.
摘要:
An infrared sensor operable without cooling and thus usable at room temperature comprises a substrate supporting thin films of pyroelectric material and switched capacitor control circuitry. The control circuitry compares the absolute capacitance of a reference thin film to that of a sensor thin film, thereby sensing infrared radiation without the use of a chopper device. The reference thin film is thermally coupled to the substrate, and the sensor thin film is thermally insulated form the substrate. To increase the fill factor, the sensor thin film is placed directly above the control circuitry. In another apsect, the sensor is adpated to sense visible and infrared light by adding a CCD sensor and appropriate control circuitry to the substrate.