Abstract: Micro-electromagnetically actuated latched miniature relay switches formed from laminate layers comprising a spring and magnet, electromagnetic coils, magnetic latching material, and transmission line with contacts. Preferably the miniature relay switches transmit up to about 50 W of DC or AC line power, and carry up to about 10 A of load current, with an overall volume of less than about 100 mm3. In addition to switching large power, the device preferably requires less than 3 V to actuate, and has a latching feature that retains the switch state after actuation without the need for external applied voltage or current.

Abstract: A cavity resonator or filter constructed on electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) substrate is provided that includes an external controlling assemble having a plurality of components configured to change a working frequency of the cavity resonator or filter. A dual-band bandpass filter is provided that includes two or more single band filters on a single EBG substrate and an external controlling assemble having a plurality of components configured to change a working frequency of the cavity resonator or filter.

Abstract: A power state management system of an electronic system is coupled to a plug load device and a method for operation of the same. The system includes a context clock to adjust a duty cycle of the electronic system for controlling the power states of the electronic system for more efficient use of electricity. The context clock is responsive to user input, multiple event driven activities or an external protocol determined policy or command. Interface circuitry communicates user input, multiple event driven activities or an external protocol determined policy or command to the context clock. Interface circuitry also communicates commands to the managed plug load device or devices.

Abstract: Micro-electromagnetically actuated latched miniature relay switches formed from laminate layers comprising a spring and magnet, electromagnetic coils, magnetic latching material, and transmission line with contacts. Preferably the miniature relay switches transmit up to about 50 W of DC or AC line power, and carry up to about 10 A of load current, with an overall volume of less than about 100 mm3. In addition to switching large power, the device preferably requires less than 3 V to actuate, and has a latching feature that retains the switch state after actuation without the need for external applied voltage or current.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user of a power consuming devices to acquire energy consumption knowledge includes the steps of identifying a user communicating with a database, associating a physical and virtual environment of power consuming devices with the identified user, retrieving power consumption data with existing product information from the database, displaying to the user data of power consumption of a plurality of physical and virtual devices in the associated physical and virtual environment based on the current status of each device, and providing closed-loop feedback from the user to promote energy efficient devices and usage behavior of the user in the associated physical and virtual environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for patterning biological and non-biological material at specific sites on a plate, as well as growing three dimensional structures. Preferred embodiments comprise a plate with regions that will trap gas, usually in the form of bubbles, when the plate is submerged in liquid. Other embodiment of the present invention include a method for placing materials on the plate at pre-determined locations through the use of trapped gas to prevent materials from collecting at unwanted regions. The plate has great utility for plating cells and tissues at specific sites, such as on an array. The disclosed method can also be used to coat the surface of a plate with coatings at specific locations for patterned coating applications and to build up materials to produce three dimensional structures, including micromechanical structures—where the structures may be formed from living or non-living material, tissue or non-tissue, organic or inorganic, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing micromachined devices, including sensors, actuators, optics, fluidics, and mechanical assemblies, using manufacturing techniques of lead frames, substrates, microelectronic packages, printed circuit boards, flex circuits, and rigid-flex materials. Preferred embodiments comprise using methods from post-semiconductor manufacturing to produce three-dimensional and free-standing structures in non-semiconductor materials. The resulting devices may remain part of the substrate, board or lead frame which can then used as a substrate for further packaging electronic assembly operations. Alternatively, the devices may be used as final components that can be assembled within other devices.

Abstract: A micromachined microphone or speaker embedded within, or positioned on top of, a substrate suitable for carrying microelectronic chips and components. The acoustic element converts sound energy into electrical energy which is then amplified by electronic components positioned on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the acoustic element may be driven by electronics to produce sound. The substrate can be used in standard microelectronic packaging applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for patterning biological and non-biological material at specific sites on a plate, as well as growing three dimensional structures. Preferred embodiments comprise a plate with regions that will trap gas, usually in the form of bubbles, when the plate is submerged in liquid. Other embodiment of the present invention include a method for placing materials on the plate at pre-determined locations through the use of trapped gas to prevent materials from collecting at unwanted regions. The plate has great utility for plating cells and tissues at specific sites, such as on an array. The disclosed method can also be used to coat the surface of a plate with coatings at specific locations for patterned coating applications and to build up materials to produce three dimensional structures, including micromechanical structures—where the structures may be formed from living or non-living material, tissue or non-tissue, organic or inorganic, and the like.

Abstract: Magnetically actuated micro-electro-mechanical capacitor switches in laminate are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first layer comprising a coil and magnetic element, the magnetic element made from one of nickel and iron; a second layer comprising a flexible member, wherein a permanent magnet is attached to the flexible member; a conductive plate having an insulating dielectric coating, the conductive plate attached to one of the flexible member or a magnet; and a third layer comprising a transmission line and magnetic material, wherein the transmission line comprises one or more of a signal conductor and one or more ground conductors in near proximity.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to the use 1002F to build microdevices and biomedical devices. Through the addition of a photosensitizing agent, Epon epoxy resin 1002F can be linked in the presence of UV light, making it useful as a photoresist or as a micropatternable structural material. One embodiment comprises combining 1002F monomer resin with a solvent and a photoinitiator, placing the monomer solution on a surface, exposing the monomer solution to UV light through a mask to initiate linking, and stripping the unlinked polymer away. In another embodiment, 3-D structures are built using two or more layers of sensitized monomer films, each having different sensitivity to light, and the use of a mask containing opaque and semi-opaque regions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for delivering pre-determined quantities of an active ingredient to a biological system are provided. In various embodiments, a device for controlled release of an active ingredient is provided, including a release aperture operably associated with a deflectable member, a base with a porous membrane substrate layer, and at least one chamber juxtaposed between the release aperture and the porous membrane layer. The chamber may contain a matrix including one or more active ingredients and an agent that expands when contacted with an aqueous solution. The device is suitable for implantation in a biological system and can be used for delayed and/or time release of specific drug dosages for various indications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for patterning biological and non-biological material at specific sites on a plate, as well as growing three dimensional structures. Preferred embodiments comprise a plate with regions that will trap gas, usually in the form of bubbles, when the plate is submerged in liquid. Other embodiment of the present invention include a method for placing materials on the plate at pre-determined locations through the use of trapped gas to prevent materials from collecting at unwanted regions. The plate has great utility for plating cells and tissues at specific sites, such as on an array. The disclosed method can also be used to coat the surface of a plate with coatings at specific locations for patterned coating applications and to build up materials to produce three dimensional structures, including micro-mechanical structures—where the structures may be formed from living or non-living material, tissue or non-tissue, organic or inorganic, and the like.

Abstract: Micro capacitive switches and methods of manufacturing micro capacitive switches at variable nominal capacitance value using micro-structures on the contact plates of the same dimension. In a preferred embodiment, a separately manufactured contact plate can be mounted to a movable magnet in order to be actuated to “on” and “off” state of the capacitive switch. Depending on the contact plate's surface condition, variable contact capacitance at “on” state can be precisely specified by geometrical properties of the micro-structures on the surface, such as the density, size and depth.

Abstract: Frequency addressable micro-actuators having one or more movable resonating elements actuators, such as cantilevers, can be forced into oscillation by, e.g., electromagnetic actuation. The movable structure is designed to latch at a certain amplitude using one of several latching techniques, such as a near-field magnetic field. In operation, the movable element is driven into resonance, producing a large amplitude, which results in the structure latching. Through resonance, a small force applied in a repeating manner can result in the latching of the actuator, an operation which would normally require a large force. If two or more units, each with different harmonic frequencies, are placed under the same influence, only the one with a harmonic response to the driving force will latch. A single influencing signal may be used to latch more than one device on demand by tuning the frequency to match the natural frequency of the device of interest.

Abstract: Magnetically actuated micro-electro-mechanical capacitor switches in laminate are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first layer comprising a coil and magnetic element, the magnetic element made from one of nickel and iron; a second layer comprising a flexible member, wherein a permanent magnet is attached to the flexible member; a conductive plate having an insulating dielectric coating, the conductive plate attached to one of the flexible member or a magnet; and a third layer comprising a transmission line and magnetic material, wherein the transmission line comprises one or more of a signal conductor and one or more ground conductors in near proximity.

Abstract: A micromachined microphone or speaker embedded within, or positioned on top of, a substrate suitable for carrying microelectronic chips and components. The acoustic element converts sound energy into electrical energy which is then amplified by electronic components positioned on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the acoustic element may be driven by electronics to produce sound. The substrate can be used in standard microelectronic packaging applications.

Abstract: The methods described herein provide for a radio frequency micro-electromechanical systems switch having two or more resonant frequencies. The switch can be configured as a capacitive shunt switch having a deflectable member coupled between two electrodes over a transmission line. A first insulator can be located between one of the electrodes and the deflectable member to form a capacitive element. The deflectable member can be deflectable between an up-state and a down-state, the down-state capacitively coupling the deflectable member with the transmission line. The degree by which the deflectable member overlaps the first insulator can be adjusted to adjust the capacitance of the capacitive element and the resulting resonant frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods are providing for performing high-throughput, programmable, multiplexed assays of biological, chemical or biochemical systems. Preferably, a micro-pallet includes a small flat surface designed for single adherent cells to plate, a cell plating region designed to protect the cells, and shaping designed to enable or improve flow-through operation. The micro-pallet is preferably patterned in a readily identifiable manner and sized to accommodate a single cell to which it is comparable in size. Each cell thus has its own mobile surface. The cell can be transported from place to place and be directed into a system similar to a flow cytometer. Since, since the surface itself may be tagged (e.g., a bar code), multiple cells of different origin and history may be placed into the same experiment allowing multiplexed experiments to be performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that facilitate the formation of micro-mechanical structures and related systems on a laminated substrate. More particularly, a micro-mechanical device and a three-dimensional multiple frequency antenna are provided for in which the micro-mechanical device and antenna, as well as additional components, can be fabricated together concurrently on the same laminated substrate. The fabrication process includes a low temperature disposition process allowing for deposition of an insulator material at a temperature below the maximum operating temperature of the laminated substrate, as well as a planarization process allowing for the molding and planarizing of a polymer layer to be used as a form for a micro-mechanical device.