Newsletter Signup
Where current and emerging technology trends meet.
TecTrendsInformation Sources, Inc.
  | About TecTrends | Email Signup | Contact Us
 Live Search:
Live Search | Articles | Companies | TecTerms | Products
  Loading TecTrends Live Search - please wait... 
View Noteworthy Articles      PRNewswire
 
Article

Title: Magic of MEMS

Author: Sheble, Nicholas Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: InTech, v51 n1 p49(1) Publication Date: Jan 2004
  ISSN: 0192-303X
  Illustrations: Charts
URL of Publication: http://www.isa.org

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which are defined as the integration of mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics on a single silicon substrate through microfabrication technology, are usually manufactured with the following processes: deposition through chemical or physical reactions; lithography, or the transfer of a pattern to a photosensitive material via selective exposure to a radiation source, such as light; and either wet or dry etching of the thin films that were applied via deposition. MEMS technology results in small structures with dimensions on a scale of one-millionth of a meter. Microelectronic integrated circuits can be compared to brains, but MEMS can be likened to eyes and arms that permit microsystems to sense and control the environment. Electronics process information derived from sensors. They use a decision-making ability to direct actuators to respond through movements, positioning, regulation, pumping, and filtering to control an environment for a specific purpose. A popular use of MEMS is in deployment of automobile airbags.

Special Features: Charts

Products:
MicroElectroMechanical Systems

TecTerms:


[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2004-2008 Information Sources Inc.
 


Home About TecTrends About Us Contact Us Privacy Statement Terms and Conditions

TecTrends | P.O. Box 8120 | Berkeley CA 94707 | (510) 525-6220 | Email: tectrends@tectrends.com
© 2006 INFORMATION SOURCES INC | All rights reserved.