The silicon age that led the computer revolution has significantly changed the world. The next 30 years will see the incorporation of new types of functionality onto the chip-structures that will enable the chip to reason, to sense, to act and to communicate. Micromachining technologies offer a wide range of possibilities for active and passive devices. Recent developments have produced sensors, actuators and optical systems. Many of these technologies are based on surface micromachining, which has evolved from silicon integrated circuit technology. This book is written by experts in the field. It contains useful details in design and processing and can be utilized as a reference book or as a textbook.

Cost, size, speed, weight, and precision are driving the miniaturization of mechanical systems. This book presents a detailed look at two micromachining technologies that have evolved from the integrated circuits industry: MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) and MOEMS (micro systems with a strong optical component). It is useful as a professional reference, technology user's guide, and as a textbook.

The microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) industry has experienced explosive growth over the last decade. Applications range from accelerometers and gyroscopes used in automotive safety to high-precision on-chip integrated oscillators for reference generation and mobile phones. MEMS: Fundamental Technology and Applications brings together groundbreaking research in MEMS technology and explores an eclectic set of novel applications enabled by the technology. The book features contributions by top experts from industry and academia from around the world. The contributors explain the theoretical background and supply practical insights on applying the technology. From the historical evolution of nano micro systems to recent trends, they delve into topics including: Thin-film integrated passives as an alternative to discrete passives The possibility of piezoelectric MEMS Solutions for MEMS gyroscopes Advanced interconnect technologies Ambient energy harvesting Bulk acoustic wave resonators Ultrasonic receiver arrays using MEMS sensors Optical MEMS-based spectrometers The integration of MEMS resonators with conventional circuitry A wearable inertial and magnetic MEMS sensor assembly to estimate rigid body movement patterns Wireless microactuators to enable implantable MEMS devices for drug delivery MEMS technologies for tactile sensing and actuation in robotics MEMS-based micro hot-plate devices Inertial measurement units with integrated wireless circuitry to enable convenient, continuous monitoring Sensors using passive acousto-electric devices in wired and wireless systems Throughout, the contributors identify challenges and pose questions that need to be resolved, paving the way for new applications. Offering a wide view of the MEMS landscape, this is an invaluable resource for anyone working to develop and commercialize MEMS applications.

This significant and uniquely comprehensive five-volume reference is a valuable source for research workers, practitioners, computer scientists, students, and technologists. It covers all of the major topics within the subject and offers a comprehensive treatment of MEMS design, fabrication techniques, and manufacturing methods. It also includes current medical applications of MEMS technology and provides applications of MEMS to opto-electronic devices. It is clearly written, self-contained, and accessible, with helpful standard features including an introduction, summary, extensive figures and design examples with comprehensive reference lists.

This book introduces the exciting and fast-moving field of MOEMS to graduate students, scientists, and engineers by providing a foundation of both micro-optics and MEMS that will enable them to conduct future research in the field. Born from the relatively new fields of MEMS and micro-optics, MOEMS are proving to be an attractive and low-cost solution to a range of device problems requiring high optical functionality and high optical performance. MOEMS solutions include optical devices for telecommunication, sensing, and mobile systems such as v-grooves, gratings, shutters, scanners, filters, micromirrors, switches, alignment aids, lens arrays, and hermetic wafer-scale optical packaging. An international team of leading researchers contributed to this book, and it presents examples and problems employing cutting-edge MOEM devices. It will inspire researchers to further advance the design, fabrication, and analysis of MOEM systems.