Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a CMOS integrated micromechanical device fabricated in accordance with a standard CMOS foundry fabrication process. The standard CMOS foundry fabrication process is characterized by a predetermined layer map and a predetermined set of fabrication rules. The device includes a semiconductor substrate formed or provided in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules. A MEMS resonator device is fabricated in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules. The MEMS resonator device includes a micromechanical resonator structure having a surface area greater than or equal to approximately 20 square microns. At least one CMOS circuit is coupled to the MEMS resonator member. The at least one CMOS circuit is also fabricated in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules.
Abstract:
A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.
Abstract:
A composite, analyte sensor includes a substrate; a micro- or nano-electro-mechanical (MEMS; NEMS) resonator that is coupled to the substrate at at least two edge locations (i.e., it is at least doubly-clamped) of the resonator, wherein the resonator is in a statically-buckled state near a buckling transition point of the resonator; and a chemically-responsive substance covering at least a portion of the surface of the resonator that will undergo a conformational change upon exposure to a given analyte. The resonator may be a double-clamped, statically-buckled beam (or bridge), a multiply-clamped, statically-buckled dome (or crater), or other resonator geometry. The sensor may include two or more at least double-clamped, statically-buckled, composite MEMS or NEMS resonators each operating near a buckling transition point of the respective resonator, and each characterized by a different resonant frequency. A method for sensing an analyte in ambient air.
Abstract:
A source signal is converted into a time-variant temperature field with transduction into mechanical motion. In one embodiment, the conversion of a source signal into the time-variant temperature field is provided by utilizing a micro-fabricated fast response, bolometer-type radio frequency power meter. A resonant-type micromechanical thermal actuator may be utilized for temperature read-out and demodulation.
Abstract:
Position tracking of a receiving device within a gas or fluidic environment (for example a human body), is performed by measuring acoustic wave propagation parameters to provide real time, high precision telemetry. Multiple synchronized acoustic sources at different known locations transmit signals that are received by a receiver on the device to be located. The coordinates of the receiver can be determined by measuring a difference in the amplitude (coarse positioning) or phase (precise positioning) of the acoustic waves coming from different sources using triangulation calculations.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing or preparing thin-film stacks that exhibit moderate, finite, stress-dependent resistance and which can be incorporated into a transduction mechanism that enables simple, effective signal to be read out from a micro- or nano-mechanical structure. As the structure is driven, the resistance of the intermediate layers is modulated in tandem with the motion, and with suitable dc-bias, the motion is directly converted into detectable voltage. In general, detecting signal from MEMS or NEMS devices is difficult, especially using a method that is able to be integrated with standard electronics. The thin-film manufacturing or preparation technique described herein is therefore a technical advance in the field of MEMS/NEMS that could enable new applications as well as the ability to easily develop CMOS-MEMS integrated fabrication techniques. Also disclosed are: (i) transducers where current flows across a piezo layer from one major surface to the opposite major surface; and (ii) methods of making a transducer the resistivity of a piezoresistive layer is decreased and/or the gauge factor of a piezoresistive layer is increased.
Abstract:
A method of increasing a quality factor for a micromechanical resonator uses a laser beam to anneal the micromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the micromechanical oscillator is formed by fabricating a mushroom shaped silicon oscillator supported by a substrate via a pillar. The laser beam is focused on a periphery of the mushroom shaped silicon oscillator to modify the surface of the mushroom shaped silicon oscillator. In a further embodiment, the mushroom shaped oscillator is a silicon disk formed on a sacrificial layer. Portions of the sacrificial layer are removed to free the periphery of the disk and leave a supporting pillar at the center of the disk. In further embodiments, different type resonators may be used.
Abstract:
A composite, analyte sensor includes a substrate; a micro- or nano-electro-mechanical (MEMS; NEMS) resonator that is coupled to the substrate at at least two edge locations (i.e., it is at least doubly-clamped) of the resonator, wherein the resonator is in a statically-buckled state near a buckling transition point of the resonator; and a chemically-responsive substance covering at least a portion of the surface of the resonator that will undergo a conformational change upon exposure to a given analyte. The resonator may be a double-clamped, statically-buckled beam (or bridge), a multiply-clamped, statically-buckled dome (or crater), or other resonator geometry. The sensor may include two or more at least double-clamped, statically-buckled, composite MEMS or NEMS resonators each operating near a buckling transition point of the respective resonator, and each characterized by a different resonant frequency. A method for sensing an analyte in ambient air.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a CMOS integrated micromechanical device fabricated in accordance with a standard CMOS foundry fabrication process. The standard CMOS foundry fabrication process is characterized by a predetermined layer map and a predetermined set of fabrication rules. The device includes a semiconductor substrate formed or provided in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules. A MEMS resonator device is fabricated in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules. The MEMS resonator device includes a micromechanical resonator structure having a surface area greater than or equal to approximately 20 square microns. At least one CMOS circuit is coupled to the MEMS resonator member. The at least one CMOS circuit is also fabricated in accordance with the predetermined layer map and the predetermined set of fabrication rules.
Abstract:
A method of increasing a quality factor for a micromechanical resonator uses a laser beam to anneal the micromechanical resonator. In one embodiment, the micromechanical oscillator is formed by fabricating a mushroom shaped silicon oscillator (235) supported by a substrate (210) via a pillar (120). The laser beam is focused on a periphery of the mushroom shaped silicon oscillator to modify the surface of the mushroom shaped silicon oscillator. In a further embodiment, the mushroom shaped oscillator is a silicon disk formed on a sacrificial layer. Portions of the sacrificial layer are removed to free the periphery of the disk and leave a supporting pillar at the center of the disk. In further embodiments, different type resonators may be used.