28-06-2012, 03:40 PM
Role of MEMS in sensors
[attachment=25970]
First things first, what is a Sensor ?
A device used to measure a physical quantity such as temperature and convert it into an electronic signal of some kind (e.g a voltage), without modifying the environment.
What is MEMS ?
MEMS or Micro Electro Mechanical Systems is a technique of combining Electrical and Mechanical components together on a chip, to produce a system of miniature dimensions ..
By miniature, we mean dimensions less than the thickness of human hair !!!!
The wonder called nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the technology of arranging atoms and molecules in a material.
This allows to alter the properties of a material and build structures of desired features.
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.
Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture devices 80,000 times smaller than the thickness of human hair !!
But why mems for sensors?
Sensors made using MEMS are better than
their conventional counterparts because they are :
Smaller in size
Have lower power consumption
More sensitive to input variations
Cheaper due to mass production
Less invasive than larger devices
[attachment=25970]
First things first, what is a Sensor ?
A device used to measure a physical quantity such as temperature and convert it into an electronic signal of some kind (e.g a voltage), without modifying the environment.
What is MEMS ?
MEMS or Micro Electro Mechanical Systems is a technique of combining Electrical and Mechanical components together on a chip, to produce a system of miniature dimensions ..
By miniature, we mean dimensions less than the thickness of human hair !!!!
The wonder called nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the technology of arranging atoms and molecules in a material.
This allows to alter the properties of a material and build structures of desired features.
A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.
Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture devices 80,000 times smaller than the thickness of human hair !!
But why mems for sensors?
Sensors made using MEMS are better than
their conventional counterparts because they are :
Smaller in size
Have lower power consumption
More sensitive to input variations
Cheaper due to mass production
Less invasive than larger devices