Browse Topic: Microelectromechanical devices (MEMS)
Advances in optical sensors and imaging technologies are ever more rapidly assimilated into how humans interact, understand themselves, and explore the world around them. The scope of inquiry for optical devices is broad and they enable technologies within, such as implanted transdermal bioMEMS devices, and beyond, or as space-flight surveyors deployed as near and deep space instruments. Central to the functionality of modern optical devices, ultra-narrow bandpass (UNBP) thin-film optical filters enable discrimination of sub-nanometer bands inside broad spectra. These filters, pioneered as NIR DWDM filters for the telecommunications industry, are now essential in extracting meaningful signal from imaging and sensing devices operating anywhere between the deep ultraviolet and the mid infra-red bands
Sensor packaging, particularly for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), is a critical aspect of modern electronics. MEMS developers have demonstrated a variety of innovative microsensors for almost every possible sensing modality including temperature, pressure, inertial forces, chemical species, magnetic fields, radiation, etc. While MEMS sensors are revolutionizing various industries with their precision and miniaturization, they can present unique product development challenges and risks during design, development, and manufacturing
The ForgeStar® program, from U.K.-based Space Forge, aims to harness the unique environment of space to create ultra-pure materials that cannot be replicated on Earth. The key opportunities lie in producing high-performance semiconductors and super-alloys with fewer defects and superior properties, thanks to the low-gravity and vacuum conditions of space. Space Forge's ForgeStar satellites will be used to produce advanced materials such as alloys, proteins and semiconductors in the ultra-vacuum and microgravity conditions of space. Manufacturing in low Earth orbit (LEO) has huge potential across sectors from medicine to advanced electronics. Two examples - high frequency amplifiers and super alloys - that Space Forge is focused are described in the next two paragraphs
The global market for automotive LIDAR is expected to grow from $332 million in 2022 to more than $4.5 billion by 2028. That’s solid market growth, particularly given the decades-old challenges of commercializing LIDAR that would be affordable for automotive designs. We interviewed Eric Aguilar, co-founder and CEO of Omnitron Sensors, Los Angeles, CA, to learn about a new MEMS scanning mirror that could accelerate the market adoption of LIDAR
This study presents the constructed electromechanical model and the analysis of the obtained nonlinear systems. An algorithm for compensating the nonlinear drift of a gyroscope in a microelectromechanical system is proposed. Tests were carried out on a precision rotating base, with the angular velocity changing as per the program. Bench testing the gyroscope confirmed the results, which were also supported by the parameter calibration. The analytical method was further validated through experimental results, and a correction algorithm for the mathematical model was developed based on the test results. After calibration and adjusting the gyroscope’s systematic flaws, the disparity in calculating the precession angle was within 1/100th of an angular second over an interval of approximately 1000 s. Currently, research is underway on the new nonlinear dynamic characteristics of electrostatically controlled microstructures. The results of the integrated navigation system of small satellites
A microprinter can print piezoelectric films 100 times faster for the production of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for sensors, wearable, or implantable medical devices, offering the possibility to lower the mass production costs
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) provides the type of velocity data about objects and vehicles that are necessary to enable the type of decision-making necessary for navigation systems in autonomous vehicles. However, most LiDAR sensors that have been used in automotive and other mobility applications have been fragile, expensive and unreliable
Inefficient fluid machinery used in the energy and transportation sector is responsible for significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. To improve efficiency, it is necessary to characterize and reduce flow separation on curved surfaces. To this end, researchers have developed a flexible, thin film microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based airflow sensor that can be utilized to measure complex, three-dimensional flow separation in curved walls for high-speed airflows
Inefficient fluid machinery used in the energy and transportation sector is responsible for significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. To improve efficiency, it is necessary to characterize and reduce flow separation on curved surfaces. To this end, researchers have developed a flexible, thin film micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)-based airflow sensor that can be utilized to measure complex, three-dimensional flow separation in curved walls for high-speed airflows
The COVID-19 pandemic has expanded the public’s awareness of health-related issues. Precisely targeted technological methodologies and devices that can solve specific healthcare problems are becoming increasingly important for medical applications. Utilizing microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, German microsystem technology R&D firm Hahn-Schickard developed an efficient medical-device sterilization cycle counter. Being able to autonomously record their life cycles helps medical instruments protect patients’ safety. Moreover, this capability simplifies hygiene management in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices since no additional activity is needed to record individual sterilization cycles
The modern internet-connected world is often described as wired, but most core network data traffic is actually carried by optical fiber — not electric wires. Despite this, existing infrastructure still relies on many electrical signal processing components embedded inside fiber optic networks. Replacing these components with photonic devices could boost network speed, capacity, and reliability. To help realize the potential of this emerging technology, a multinational team at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has developed a prototype of a silicon photonic phase shifter, a device that could become an essential building block for the next generation of optical fiber data networks
This article is a marked departure from my annual reporting on the past year’s performance of the health of the MEMS industry vis-à-vis my MEMS Industry Commercialization Report Card. [1] Here, I have requested several of my colleagues representing the breadth of the sensors/MEMS commercialization process global supply chain (Figure 1) to provide forecasts for the sensors/MEMS industry for 2022 and the challenges that the industry will face in 2022, strategies that they can embrace to overcome them, and the current and future state of the sensors/MEMS industry. Additionally, they shared opinions on emerging technologies and the possible future impact of COVID-19 on the industry, including the global supply chain. Comments have been edited for length and clarity
A metasurface lens has been created that uses a piezoelectric thin film to change focal length when a small voltage is applied. Because it is extremely compact and lightweight, the new lens could be useful for portable medical diagnostic instruments other applications where miniaturization can open new possibilities
Researchers have developed new x-ray optics that can be used to harness extremely fast pulses in a package that is significantly smaller and lighter than conventional devices used to modulate x-rays. The new optics are based on microscopic chip-based devices known as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS
The core mechanism of a miniature sensor on a chip incorporates two layers of silicon that overlay each other separated by the space of 270 nanometers — about 0.005 the width of a human hair. They carry a minute voltage. Vibrations from bodily motions and sounds put part of the chip in flux, making the voltage flux and creating readable electronic outputs. In human testing, the chip has recorded a variety of signals from the mechanical workings of the lungs and the heart with clarity — signals that often escape meaningful detection by current medical technology
An increase in the number of hazardous gases poses a severe threat to humanity in general and to workers in many industries. These gases could come from natural or man-made sources like chemical industries, petroleum refining, stone, plastic, and food processing. Because of the risk that they leak into the environment, safety procedures are necessary to protect the environment and the workers. Different types of gas detectors are used to detect different gases such as commonly occurring pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulphonyl chloride, phosphine, and nitrosyl chloride
MEMS sensors have been around for a long time, but requests from the market for new applications are driving upgrades in the technology. Because of their small size, their accuracy, and reliability, MEMS sensors are a good fit for wearable devices
Over the last 75 years, sensors have played an increasingly significant part in the advancement of medicine
To find out what’s ahead for MEMS automobile navigation systems, I interviewed Yang Zhao, CEO, and Teoman Ustun, VP of Marketing and Business Development, ACEINNA, Inc. (Boston, MA
Sensing of gases is a critical function but the technology hasn’t changed in decades. So, when I heard about a brand-new type of sensor from NevadaNano (Sparks, NV), I decided to interview Ben Rogers, their Director of Engineering
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed designs for two micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) motion and position sensors: a single-axis accelerometer and a gyroscope. The designs leverage a highly aligned multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) tape with a P(VDF-TrFE) matrix that is mechanically robust and has excellent piezoelectric properties as the sensing and actuating element
Researchers have been pursuing the development of robots so tiny that they can maneuver through blood vessels and deliver medications to certain points in the body. Now, scientists have succeeded in building such micromachines out of metal and plastic in which these two materials are interlocked as closely as links in a chain. This is possible thanks to a new manufacturing technique they have devised
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) alone cannot provide high-precision and continuous positioning information for vehicles. The integration of GNSS with Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) has now been very intensively developed and widely applied in high precision positioning of vehicle and provide continuous position, velocity and attitude. However, the overall performance of low-cost GNSS/MEMS IMU frequently degrades in urban shaded environments. Traditional constraints GNSS/MIMU algorithm based on zero-velocity detection can effectively increase the accuracy of the navigation system, but easily influenced by external factors to false detection. This article aims to introduce a multi-dynamic constraints model as accurate update source for EKF to improve the accuracy of navigation solutions of a vehicle during satellites signal blockages. Firstly, we present a tightly coupled strategy to integrate GPS/BDS and INS by applying extended Kalman filter with 27-states. Then, a
The 2019 Sensors Expo and Conference will be held at the McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, CA from June 25 – 27. Both the expo and conference are excellent opportunities to get a good sense of important sensor trends. Among the wide variety of themes at the conference, some strike me as being very significant for the current state of the industry
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