Abstract: A simplified MEMS optical display device driven by electrostatic forces and associated arrays are provided for. The optical display device includes an optically transparent substrate, an optically transparent fixed electrode disposed on the substrate and a pigmented translucent film disposed on the substrate. A moveable optical shutter is affixed to the substrate and is generally aligned with the fixed electrode and the pigmented translucent film. The moveable optical shutter comprises an electrode element and a biasing element. In addition, a fixed portion attached to the substrate and a distal portion adjacent to the fixed portion defines the optical shutter. When an electrostatic voltage differential is established between the fixed electrode and the optical shutter electrode element the distal portion of the optical shutter will move to controllably regulate the pigmentation of an optical signal.

Abstract: A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) electrostatically operated high voltage switch or relay device is provided. These devices can switch high voltages while using relatively low electrostatic operating voltages. The MEMS device comprises a substrate, a substrate electrode, and one or more substrate contacts. The MEMS device also includes a flexible composite overlying the substrate, one or more composite contacts, and at least one insulator. The switch or relay device is provided overdrive potential through protrusions on the contact surface of the switch or relay contacts. In one embodiment the substrate contacts define protrusions on the contact surface that extend toward the flexible composite contacts. In another embodiment the flexible composite contacts define protrusions on the contact surface that extend toward the substrate contacts.

Abstract: A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) electrostatically operated high voltage switch or relay device is provided. These devices can switch high voltages while using relatively low electrostatic operating voltages. The MEMS device comprises a substrate, a substrate electrode, and one or more substrate contacts. The MEMS device also includes a flexible composite overlying the substrate, one or more composite contacts, and at least one insulator. The switch or relay device is provided overdrive potential through protrusions on the contact surface of the switch or relay contacts. In one embodiment the substrate contacts define protrusions on the contact surface that extend toward the flexible composite contacts. In another embodiment the flexible composite contacts define protrusions on the contact surface that extend toward the substrate contacts.

Abstract: A simplified MEMS optical display device driven by electrostatic forces and associated arrays are provided for. The optical display device includes an optically transparent substrate, an optically transparent fixed electrode disposed on the substrate and a pigmented translucent film disposed on the substrate. A moveable optical shutter is affixed to the substrate and is generally aligned with the fixed electrode and the pigmented translucent film. The moveable optical shutter comprises an electrode element and a biasing element. In addition, a fixed portion attached to the substrate and a distal portion adjacent to the fixed portion defines the optical shutter. When an electrostatic voltage differential is established between the fixed electrode and the optical shutter electrode element the distal portion of the optical shutter will move to controllably regulate the pigmentation of an optical signal.

Abstract: A three terminal tunneling device that has a smaller voltage transition between off-current and on-current states and which also has less dependence on the lateral dimensions of the device. The device is a hybrid between a MOS transistor, a gated diode and a tunneling diode. The semiconductor device includes a lightly doped substrate of a first conductivity type. The lightly doped substrate will include a first heavily doped region of a first conductivity type formed in the substrate and a lightly doped layer of a first conductivity type disposed on the substrate and the first heavily doped region. The device also including a gate insulator layer disposed on the lightly doped layer and underlying a portion of the first heavily doped region and a gate electrode that is disposed on the gate insulator layer.

Abstract: A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) valve device driven by electrostatic forces is provided. This valve device can provide for fast actuation, large valve force and large displacements while utilizing minimal power. The MEMS valve device includes a substrate having an aperture formed therein, a substrate electrode, a moveable membrane that overlies the aperture and has an electrode element and a biasing element. Additionally, at least one resiliently compressible dielectric layer is provided to insure electrical isolation between the substrate electrode and electrode element of the moveable membrane. In operation, a voltage differential is established between the substrate electrode and the electrode element of the moveable membrane to move the membrane relative to the aperture to thereby controllably adjust the portion of the aperture that is covered by the membrane.

Abstract: A MEMS pumping device driven by electrostatic forces comprises a substrate having at least one substrate electrode disposed thereon. Affixed to the substrate is a moveable membrane that generally overlies the at least one substrate electrode. The moveable membrane comprises at least one electrode element and a biasing element. The moveable membrane includes a fixed portion attached to the substrate and a distal portion extending from the fixed portion and being moveable with respect to the substrate electrode. A dielectric element is disposed between the at least one substrate electrode and the at least one electrode element of the moveable membrane to provide for electrical isolation. In operation, a voltage differential is established between the at least one substrate electrode and the at least one electrode element which displaces the moveable membrane relative to the substrate to thereby controllably distribute matter residing between the substrate and the distal portion of the moveable membrane.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation shutter device driven by electrostatic forces comprises a stationary membrane capable of allowing electromagnetic radiation transmission therethrough, and a first and second flexible membrane comprising an electrode element and at least one biasing element. The first flexible membrane has a fixed portion attached to the underside of the stationary membrane and a distal portion adjacent to the fixed portion and released from the underside of the stationary membrane. The second flexible membrane has a fixed portion attached to the topside of the stationary membrane and a distal portion adjacent to the fixed portion and released from the topside of the stationary membrane. In operation, a voltage differential is established between the electrode element of the first flexible membrane and the electrode element of the second flexible membrane thereby moving the first and second flexible membranes relative to the stationary membrane. In a closed state (i.e.

Abstract: A noise suppressor includes an input transducer and an output transducer adapted to be located in an ear canal. A housing is provided to support the transducers in the ear canal, and the housing provides an acoustically unobstructed passage from the entrance of the ear canal to the ear drum. The input transducer generates electrical signals in response to sound pressure waves entering the ear canal, and a portion of the electrical signal is processed to generate an inverse noise signal which is applied to the output transducer. Accordingly, the output transducer produces inverse noise pressure waves in order to reduce an undesired noise portion of the sound pressure waves reaching the ear drum. The sound pressure waves also reach the ear drum without significant alteration.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical transducer including a plurality of parallel electrically conductive strips maintained in closely spaced relation by a plurality of spacers can generate useful displacements and forces. The transducer can be strengthened by arranging the conductive strips in cells surrounded by unidirectional cell stiffening members and unidirectional displacement limiting members. The unidirectional cell stiffening members may include notches. The unidirectional displacement limiting members may include unidirectional buckling straps or flexible arches. The cells of electrically conductive strips can be organized in modular or fractal arrays.

Abstract: A self-aligned salicide process produces small dimensioned semiconductor devices, for example metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices. An electrode is formed on the face of a semiconductor substrate, the electrode having a top and a sidewall and an insulating coating on the sidewall. Then a silicon layer and a refractory metal layer are formed on the face, top and sidewall, with one of the layers being continuous, and the other layer having a break on the sidewall. In a preferred embodiment the silicon layer is directionally applied, to form thick portions on the face and top and thin portion on the sidewall. The thin portion on the sidewall is removed and a metal layer is uniformly deposited. The substrate is heated to convert at least part of the silicon and metal layers to silicide. The silicide layer on the face is planar and does not consume the substrate at the face, allowing shallow source and drain regions to be formed.