Abstract: A first insulated planar metallic surface is formed under a surface of a substrate which is orientated a first way to an edge of the substrate. A Faraday shield is formed when a second insulated planar metallic surface is juxtaposed to and segregates the first insulated planar metallic surface from the remained of the substrate. The first way can be parallel or perpendicular forming either an edge or surface Coulomb island, respectively. Both planar surfaces can be charged either by mechanical contact or induced charging, Fowler-Nordheim and ion implantation. A Coulomb force is generated between two charged Coulomb islands each located on a different substrate. In addition, these Coulomb islands can also be used as capacitors to transfer signals between the substrates. The Faraday shield can be used to increase the Coulomb force while the potential applied to the shield can alter the Coulomb force.

Abstract: A system is described that can assemble substrates over one another to form a stacked substrate. The various layers of the stacked substrate can be separated from each other by using Coulomb forces. In addition, a beam substrate can be used to increase the separation. In addition, a first substrate can be flipped around and connected to the edge of a second substrate. The instructions for assembly and a FSM (Finite State Machine) can be included in the stacked substrate to pave the way for a self-constructing 3-D automaton. The beam substrate can be used to carry heat, fluids, electrical power or signals between the various layers of the stacked cells besides providing a mechanical support. A stacked substrate can be assembled into 3-D structures. These structures can have applications in antennas and RF circuits, for example.

Abstract: At least one non-volatile device is coupled to a first Coulomb island. The floating gates of these non-volatile devices are connected to the island and can charge the Coulomb islands. One device can charge the island positively while a second device can be used to charge the island negatively. The Coulomb island can have a small probe opening where a charge can be introduced by using mechanical means such as an external probe or a MEMS switch. A fully charged capacitor formed in a first substrate can provide additional energy to a levitated substrate if the first substrate is connected to the levitated substrate. Bonding wires can be attached to a substrate that is attached to a mother substrate. Then, Coulomb forces can levitate the substrate from the mother substrate and the bonding wires can provide a source of power to the levitated substrate.