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2- Characteristics of MEMS?
⦁ MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) have several unique
characteristics that set them apart from other types of devices.
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Some of these characteristics include:
1. Small size: MEMS devices are typically very small, with dimensions
measured in micrometers or even nanometers. This small size
enables the creation of compact and low-power devices that can
be integrated into a wide range of systems.
2. High precision: MEMS devices are capable of very high precision
and accuracy, thanks to their precise fabrication techniques. This
precision makes them ideal for applications where accuracy is
critical, such as in sensors or actuators.
3. Low power consumption: MEMS devices typically require very
little power to operate, making them ideal for use in portable or
battery-powered devices.
4. Multi-functionality: MEMS devices can often perform multiple
functions, thanks to their ability to integrate multiple components
on a single chip. This integration enables the creation of highly
complex devices with a wide range of capabilities.
5. Low cost: MEMS devices can be fabricated using low-cost mass-
production techniques, which makes them affordable and
accessible for a wide range of applications.
6. High reliability: MEMS devices are often fabricated using robust
materials such as silicon, which are highly reliable and can operate
for long periods without failure.
7. Integration: MEMS devices can be easily integrated with other
microelectronics components, enabling highly integrated and
complex systems to be built in a small form factor.
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scales and design devices with desired properties.
⦁ Another important scaling law is known as the size effect. This law
states that as the size of a material is reduced, its mechanical
properties, such as strength and stiffness, decrease as well.
4- Applications of MEMS?
MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) have a wide range of
applications across many different fields. Some of the most common
applications of MEMS include:
1. Sensors:
MEMS sensors are used in many applications, including
automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer electronics.
They can be used to measure things like acceleration, pressure,
temperature, and humidity.
2. Actuators:
MEMS actuators are used in a variety of applications, including
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microfluidics, micro-optics, and micro-robotics.
They can be used to create precise and reliable movements in
small spaces.
3. Inkjet printers:
MEMS technology is used to create the printheads in inkjet
printers, allowing for high-resolution printing.
4. Medical devices:
MEMS technology is used to create a variety of medical devices,
including drug delivery systems, implantable sensors, and lab-on-
a-chip devices.
5. Microphones:
MEMS microphones are used in many consumer electronics
devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
6. Optical devices:
MEMS technology is used to create a variety of optical devices,
including mirrors, lenses, and filters.
These devices can be used in telecommunications, data storage,
and other applications.
7. Energy harvesting:
MEMS technology is used to create devices that can harvest
energy from the environment, such as vibrations or temperature
differences.
8. Automotive applications:
MEMS technology is used to develop various automotive sensors
such as airbag sensors, tire pressure sensors, and engine sensors.
9. Aerospace:
MEMS sensors are used in aerospace applications for navigation,
altitude measurement, and attitude control.
MEMS-based pressure sensors are used for cabin pressure
measurement and engine monitoring.
10. Industrial:
MEMS devices are used in industrial applications such as flow
sensing, pressure sensing, and level sensing.
11. Defense:
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MEMS-based devices are used in defense applications such as
navigation, missile guidance, and situational awareness.
12. Environmental monitoring:
MEMS sensors are used in environmental monitoring applications
for air quality measurement, weather monitoring, and pollution
monitoring.
13. Robotics:
MEMS-based devices such as microactuators are used in robotics
for precise control and manipulation of small-scale objects.
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⦁ Overall, the LIGA process is a powerful technique for creating
high-aspect-ratio microstructures that are widely used in MEMS
devices.
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the solubility of the exposed regions.
4. Development: The photoresist is developed by immersing it in a
developer solution, which dissolves the exposed regions of the
photoresist, leaving behind the desired pattern.
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7- Explain X-Ray lithography?
⦁ X-ray lithography is a microfabrication technique that uses high-
energy X-rays to pattern a photoresist layer on a substrate.
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⦁ Mask made up of x-ray absprbing materials like gold, tungsten and
lead.
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8- Explain the Czochralski Growth (CZ) process in single crystal
substrates?
Principle-
⦁ It also consist of a shaft for rotating & pulling the growing crystal.
⦁ The rotating shaft has a seed holder in which the seed crystal is
attached.
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Working-
⦁ The seed touches the melt rod & get slightly melted.
⦁ The rod is now rotated about its axis & then drawn upward slowly.
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10- Name some special materials used in MEMS
⦁ MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) devices are made using
a wide range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, and
insulators.
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3. Silicon dioxide: Silicon dioxide is an insulating material that is used
as a dielectric layer in MEMS devices, particularly in microsensors
and microactuators.
4. Metals: Metals such as gold, aluminum, and copper are used in
MEMS as conductors, as well as for their mechanical properties.
5. Piezoelectric materials: Piezoelectric materials such as lead
zirconate titanate (PZT) and aluminum nitride (AlN) are used in
MEMS to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy and
vice versa.
6. Shape memory alloys: Shape memory alloys such as nitinol are
used in MEMS as actuator materials, as they can change their
shape in response to changes in temperature or electrical current.
7. Diamond-like carbon (DLC): DLC is a hard, wear-resistant coating
that is used in MEMS to protect surfaces from wear and corrosion.
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subsequent processing steps.
3. Etching: Material is removed from the silicon wafer using a variety
of etching techniques, such as wet chemical etching or dry
etching, to create the desired features. For example, a process
called deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) can be used to create high-
aspect-ratio structures, such as cantilevers and beams.
4. Deposition: Material is added to the silicon wafer using a variety
of deposition techniques, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
or physical vapor deposition (PVD), to create thin films or
coatings. For example, a thin layer of metal may be deposited on
the surface of the silicon to create electrical contacts or to form a
conductive layer for a microsensor or microactuator.
5. Bonding: Multiple silicon wafers or layers are bonded together
using a variety of techniques, such as thermal bonding or adhesive
bonding, to create complex structures. For example, multiple
silicon layers may be bonded together to create a microfluidic
system or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device.
6. Packaging: The finished silicon-based MEMS device is packaged
and integrated with electronics to form a functional system.
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⦁ The process involves using an etchant solution to chemically
dissolve the material being etched, typically by a chemical reaction
that breaks down the material at a molecular level.
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⦁ The process of dry etching involves the following steps:
1. Plasma generation: A plasma is generated by applying a radio
frequency (RF) voltage to a gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, in a
vacuum chamber. The plasma consists of highly reactive ions,
electrons, and radicals that can break down the material being
etched.
2. Masking: A mask is placed over the substrate to define the pattern
that will be etched. The mask is typically made of a material that is
resistant to the plasma, such as silicon dioxide or photoresist.
3. Etching: The plasma is then directed onto the substrate, where it
removes material from the exposed areas. The etching rate and
selectivity of the process can be controlled by adjusting the
plasma parameters and the gas composition.
4. Residue removal: After the etching process is complete, any
residue from the process must be removed from the substrate.
This can be done using a cleaning solution or by plasma ashing,
which uses a plasma to burn off the residue.
Advantages-
⦁ higher etching rates
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16- Bulk micromachining:
⦁ Bulk micromachining is a type of micromachining process that
involves selectively removing material from a substrate to create
three-dimensional microstructures.
⦁ Wet etching usually used for isotropic etching, while dry etching is
used for anisotropic etching.
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⦁ BM has many applications in fabrication of MEMS devices,
including accelerometer, pressure sensor, etc.
⦁ It allows for precise control over the dimensions and shape of the
structures and can be used to create very small, complex devices.
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18- Compare bulk and surface micromachining-
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in MEMS?
⦁ Wafer bonding is a critical step in the fabrication of micro-electro-
mechanical systems (MEMS) devices.
⦁ SAW sensors are most common type of AWS and are widely used
for sensing various physical and chemical properties.
Advantages-
⦁ high sensitivity,
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⦁ light weight
Applications-
⦁ environmental monitoring
⦁ medical diagnoses
⦁ security system
Advantages-
⦁ high sensitivity,
⦁ light weight
Applications-
⦁ environmental monitoring
⦁ medical diagnoses
⦁ security system
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22- Explain the working principle of Bio medical micro
sensors?
⦁ Biomedical microsensors are sensors that are used to detect and
monitor biological signals and changes in the body.
⦁ For example, a gas sensor might use a light source that emits a
specific wavelength of light that is absorbed by the gas being
detected. The amount of light that is absorbed by the gas is
measured, and this measurement is used to determine the
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concentration of the gas.
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⦁ Overall, the working principle of pressure microsensors relies on
the conversion of a mechanical pressure into an electrical signal
that can be measured and analyzed.
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2. Transduction mechanism: The change in temperature-sensitive
element is transduced into an electrical signal, typically through
the use of a Wheatstone bridge or other sensing circuit.
3. Amplification and processing: The electrical signal generated by
the transduction mechanism is typically very small and needs to
be amplified and processed to provide a useful output. This may
involve amplification of the signal, filtering to remove noise or
unwanted frequencies, and digital signal processing to extract
useful information.
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26- Explain the working principle of acceleration micro
sensors?
⦁ Acceleration microsensors are devices that are used to measure
the acceleration or vibration of an object.
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⦁ Overall, the working principle of acceleration microsensors relies
on the conversion of a mechanical acceleration into an electrical
signal that can be measured and analyzed.
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⦁ When a voltage is. applied between the movable electrode and
the stationary substrate, an electrostatic force is generated that
pulls or pushes the movable electrode towards or away from the
substrate.
⦁ micromirrors
⦁ microlenses
⦁ micropumps
⦁ microvalves
⦁ microswitches
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28- Explain the basic principles and working of piezoelectric
microactuators?
⦁ PMA are devices that use piezoelectric effect to generates motion
or displacement at the microscale...
⦁ Working-
1. Voltage is applied- it causes expand or contract of piezoelectric
material.
4. Application-
⦁ micro-positioning,
⦁ micro-pumping
⦁ micro-valving
⦁ micro-mirrors
⦁ micro-robotics.
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29- Explain the working principle of SMA microactuator?
⦁ SMA microactuators are devices that use shape memory alloys
(SMAS) to generate motion at microscale.
⦁ SMA's are metallic alloys that can exhibit shape memory and
superelasticity, which means they can return to their original
shape after being deformed.
⦁ Working-
1. Heating the SMA's wire- An electric current is passed through the
SMA wire, causing it to heat up. This heat causes SMA wire to
undergo a phase transformation from martenstic phases to the
austenitic phase, which results in a shape.
3. Cooling the SMA wire- The electric current is switched off & SMA
wire is allowed to cool down. As it cools, the SMA wire undergoes
a phase transformation back to the martenstic phase and actuator
structure returns to its shape.
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30- Working principle of Electromagnetic microactuator?
⦁ Electromagnetic microactuators are devices that use
electromagnetic force to generate motion at microscale.
Applications-
⦁ micromirrors
⦁ micro lenses
⦁ micro pumps
⦁ micro valves
⦁ micro switches
Advantages-
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⦁ Fast response time
⦁ highly controllable
⦁ easily integrated with other MEMS components
⦁ Due to their small size and precise control, micro valves have
become an essential component in many industries.
Advantages-
⦁ Small Size
Applications-
⦁ drug delivery
⦁ DNA analysis
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contraction of the material.
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33- Difference btw microelecronics and microsystems:
34- Scaling laws in MEMS:
• MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) are tiny mechanical devices that
can sense and manipulate the physical world, and which often incorporate
electronic components as well.
• MEMS devices typically have dimensions on the order of micrometers or
smaller, and as such, they can exhibit scaling effects that are not observed
at larger scales.
• Scaling effects in MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) refer to the
changes in behavior and performance of MEMS devices as their size
decreases.
• As the size of MEMS devices decreases to the micro- and nanoscale, various
physical and mechanical phenomena become dominant, leading to unique
and often unexpected behaviors.
• The word "lithography" comes from the Greek words "lithos" meaning
"stone" and "graphia" meaning "writing".
• The areas of the photoresist that are exposed to light become chemically
altered, allowing them to be selectively removed during subsequent
processing steps, revealing the underlying substrate material in the desired
pattern.
• The size of the features that can be created using lithography is limited by
the wavelength of the light used, with smaller wavelengths allowing for the
creation of smaller features.
• Its continued development and improvement has been a key factor in the
advancement of modern technology and communication.
• Silicon also has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means that it
is less likely to deform under changes in temperature.
• There are also several silicon compound materials used in MEMS, including
silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (SiNx), and silicon carbide (SiC).
• SiO2 is often used as a dielectric material due to its high electrical insulation
properties, while SiNx is used as a structural material due to its excellent
mechanical strength and stability. SiC is a semiconductor material that is
used in high-temperature and high-power applications, due to its high
thermal conductivity and resistance to harsh environments.
• Silicon is an ideal substrate material for many MEMS devices, due to its
excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, as well as its
compatibility with standard microfabrication techniques.
• The use of silicon compound materials such as SiO2, SiNx, and SiC can also
provide additional properties and capabilities for MEMS devices.
2. Sensors: SMAs are also used as sensors in MEMS devices due to their
superelastic property. When subjected to an external force or deformation,
SMAs can exhibit a change in their electrical, mechanical, or magnetic
properties, which can be used to sense the applied force or deformation.
This property makes SMAs ideal for use in MEMS sensors, such as pressure
sensors and strain sensors.
3. Biomedical Applications: SMAs are also used in MEMS devices for various
biomedical applications, such as drug delivery systems, microsurgery, and
microimplants. The unique shape memory and superelastic properties of
SMAs make them ideal for use in these applications, as they can change
shape and return to their original shape, allowing for controlled drug
release or minimally invasive surgery.
4. Energy Harvesting: SMAs can also be used for energy harvesting in MEMS
devices, where they can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
This property makes SMAs ideal for use in energy harvesting devices, such
as microgenerators and energy scavengers.
40- Difference between microsensor and micro actuator-
• Microsensors and microactuators are both types of MEMS
(Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices, but they perform different
functions and operate based on different principles.
• Micro valves are devices that control the flow rate, direction, or pressure of
fluids in microchannels.
• Micro pumps can be used for various applications, such as drug delivery,
microfluidic cooling, and microfluidic power generation.
• Both micro valves and micro pumps are critical components in many
microfluidic systems and can be integrated with other microfluidic devices,
such as microsensors and microreactors, to create complex microfluidic
networks.