MEMS essays

MEMS essays Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) Micro-electromechanical systems are a technology based on the combination of computer and mechanical elements such as: sensors, valves, actuators, mirrors and gears enclosed in semiconductor chips. It is basically the integration of micromechanisms and microelectronics. The combination of these engineering areas makes impact near all branches of science and technology in fields such as biology, medicine, automotive engineering and others. MEMS, also called smart matter, because they are able to do information processing and transduction tasks for certain applications. So it would be a device that can sense and react accordingly to the environment. Motivating factors behind MEMS include the package size due to its decreased size. In addition facts of manufacturing and economic advantages are also present. Potentially, such chips can be built in large quantities at low cost. A high develop sensor takes information from the environment without damaging the environment. Therefore, ener gy exchange is reduced. Fast response and high sensitivity with minimal power are also important attributes. MEMS can be used for numeral purposes. MEMS are being used in lots of different fields of science and engineering, such as: biotechnology, communications, accelerometers and other. In the biotechnology field, DNA amplification and identification system has been developed called Polymerase Chain Reaction. A Scanning Tunneling Microscope, for the detection of hazardous chemical and biological agents. In communications high frequency devices circuits would be benefit by MEMS technology. Inductors and tunable capacitors with are electronic devices can improve if made with MEMS technology. All of these will improve the performance of communication circuits and at the same time power consumption and cost will be reduced. MEMS accelerometers are replacing the ones now for crash air bag deployment system...