Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a photoacoustic gas sensor comprising a gas-fillable detection chamber and a reference chamber arranged laterally adjacent to each other and connected by a sensor channel. A sensor located at or in the sensor channel allows measurement of the photoacoustic signals. Both chambers are preferably located in a plane perpendicular to the emitted IR radiation of the IR emitter which is also comprised. The gas sensor is also formed from a multilayer substrate. In further aspects, the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a gas sensor and a method of analyzing gas with a gas sensor.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising a MEMS microphone comprising a sound inlet opening, a vibratable microphone membrane and an electronic circuit, wherein when the microphone membrane is excited by sound waves entering through the sound inlet opening, an electrical signal that is dependent on the sound waves is generated by vibrations of the microphone membrane. A damping element for reducing the sound pressure level of the sound waves acting on the microphone membrane is mounted in front of the sound inlet opening, wherein the damping element comprises an elastic and vibratable damping membrane and wherein, in addition to the microphone membrane, the damping element is induced into vibrations by the sound waves such that the sound energy of the sound waves is divided between the damping membrane and the microphone membrane.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a gas-filled reference chamber which is hermetically sealed. Thereby, the gas with which the reference chamber is filled is introduced via an opening in a separate coating chamber only after bonding of the wafers forming the reference chamber. The reference chamber preferably contains MEMS devices. In another aspect, the invention relates to a photoacoustic gas sensor comprising such a reference chamber within which a MEMS sensor is present.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a gas-filled reference chamber which is hermetically sealed. Thereby, the gas with which the reference chamber is filled is introduced via an opening in a separate coating chamber only after bonding of the wafers forming the reference chamber. The reference chamber preferably contains MEMS devices. In another aspect, the invention relates to a photoacoustic gas sensor comprising such a reference chamber within which a MEMS sensor is present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modulatable infrared emitter comprising a MEMS heating element and an actuator, wherein the actuator triggers shape and/or structure changes of the MEMS heating element. Said change in shape and/or structure of the MEMS heating element may vary the ratio of the emitting area to the total area, thereby producing a change in intensity of the emitted infrared beam. The invention further relates to a manufacturing method for the infrared emitter, a method for modulated emission of infrared radiation using the infrared emitter, and preferred uses of the infrared emitter. In further preferred aspects the invention relates to a system comprising the infrared emitter and a control device for regulating the actuator.

Abstract: A MEMS pump includes a basis structure, a membrane structure opposing the basis structure and being deflectable parallel to a surface normal of the basis structure and includes a pump chamber between the basis structure and the membrane structure wherein a volume of the pump chamber is based on a position of the membrane structure with respect to the basis structure. The MEMS pump includes a passage for letting a fluid pass into the pump chamber or exit the pump chamber, wherein the passage is arranged in-plane with respect to the pump chamber. The MEMS pump includes a valve structure coupled to the passage for connecting, in a first state, the passage to a first outer volume and for connecting, in a second state, the passage to a second outer volume.

Abstract: A MEMS actuator comprising a frame structure and at least one actuator arm. The actuator arm is connected at a first end to the frame structure and at a second end to an actuator body. The MEMS actuator is characterized in that the at least one actuator arm has a meander structure comprising two or more actuator sections. The two or more actuator sections are oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the actuator arm. Furthermore, the two or more actuator sections comprise at least one layer of an actuator material, wherein a movement of the actuator body can be effected by actuating the two or more actuator sections. Further disclosed is a method for producing the MEMS actuator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a MEMS transducer comprising a vibratable membrane for generating or receiving pressure waves in a fluid in a vertical direction, wherein the vibratable membrane is supported by a carrier and the vibratable membrane exhibits two or more vertical sections which are formed parallel to the vertical direction and comprise at least one layer of actuator material. The end of the vibratable membrane is preferably connected to an electrode, such that the two or more vertical sections can be induced to vibrate horizontally by driving the at least one electrode, or such that an electrical signal can be generated at the at least one electrode when the two or more vertical sections are induced to vibrate horizontally.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for detecting aerosol particles in ambient air by means of a photoacoustic gas sensor, wherein an analysis volume is present in the beam path of a modulable emitter such that the emitter can use modulable radiation to excite aerosol particles in the analysis volume to form sound pressure waves which are detectable by means of the sensor. Using the modulable emitter, the analysis volume is irradiated with the modulated radiation to generate sound pressure waves. The generated sound pressure waves are measured by means of the sensor, whereby the presence and/or concentration of the aerosol particles in the ambient air is determined on the basis of the measurement results. Particularly preferably, the aerosol particles are bioaerosols, preferably pollen, spores, bacteria and viruses. In a further aspect, the invention preferably relates to a photoacoustic gas sensor suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modulatable infrared emitter comprising an aperture structure, a structured micro-heating element, and an actuator, wherein the aperture structure and the structured micro-heating element are movable relative to each other in parallel planes by means of the actuator to modulate the intensity of emitted infrared radiation. The invention further relates to methods of manufacturing the infrared emitter, a method of modulating emission of infrared radiation using the infrared emitter, and preferred uses of the infrared emitter. In further aspects the invention relates to a system comprising the infrared emitter and a control device for regulating the actuator.

Abstract: Preferably, the invention relates to a MEMS package having at least one layer for protecting a MEMS element, wherein the MEMS element has at least one MEMS interaction region on a substrate and a surface conformal coating of the MEMS element is applied with a dielectric layer. Particularly preferably, the invention relates to a MEMS transducer package in which a MEMS element, for example with a MEMS membrane and processor, preferably an integrated circuit, are present on a substrate. For protection, a surface conformal coating of a dielectric is preferably first applied to the MEMS element, for example by spray coating, mist coating, and/or vapor coating. Then, preferably, an electrically conductive layer is applied. Depending on the configuration, the layers may be removed in some regions above a MEMS interaction region of the MEMS element, for example for a sound port of a MEMS membrane.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes oxidizing a substrate to form local oxide regions that extend above a top surface of the substrate. A membrane layer is formed over the local oxide regions and the top surface of the substrate. A portion of the substrate under the membrane layer is removed. The local oxide regions under the membrane layer are removed.

Abstract: A structure for fixing a membrane to a carrier including a carrier; a suspended structure; and a holding structure with a rounded concave shape which is configured to fix the suspended structure to the carrier and where a tapered side of the holding structure physically connects to the suspended structure is disclosed. A method of forming the holding structure on a carrier to support a suspended structure is further disclosed. The method may include: forming a holding structure on a carrier; forming a suspended structure on the holding structure; shaping the holding structure such that it has a concave shape; and arranging the holding structure such that a tapered side of the holding structure physically connects to the suspended structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ calibration of a photoacoustic sensor includes a measurement device configured to measure an electric signal at an IR emitter of the photoacoustic sensor, wherein the IR emitter generates an electromagnetic spectrum based on the electric signal; and a calibration unit including processing circuitry, configured to compare the electric signal with a comparison value to generate a comparison result used as calibration information. When performing the in-situ calibration, the calibration unit is configured to adjust the electric signal based on the calibration information, or the calibration unit is configured to process an output signal of the photoacoustic sensor based on the calibration information to obtain an adjusted output signal of the photoacoustic sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a MEMS transducer comprising a vibratable membrane for generating or receiving pressure waves in a fluid in a vertical direction, wherein the vibratable membrane is supported by a carrier and the vibratable membrane exhibits two or more vertical sections which are formed parallel to the vertical direction and comprise at least one layer of actuator material. The end of the vibratable membrane is preferably connected to an electrode, such that the two or more vertical sections can be induced to vibrate horizontally by driving the at least one electrode, or such that an electrical signal can be generated at the at least one electrode when the two or more vertical sections are induced to vibrate horizontally.

Abstract: A reference chamber for a fluid sensor comprises a housing, a deflectable structure, which is arranged movably within the housing, a control device configured to drive the deflectable structure at a first point in time such that the deflectable structure assumes a defined position, and to drive the deflectable structure at a second point in time such that the deflectable structure moves out of the defined position and a movement of the deflectable structure in the housing is obtained. The reference chamber comprises an evaluation device configured to determine a movement characteristic of the movement of the deflectable structure on the basis of the moving into the defined position or on the basis of the moving out of the defined position and to determine an atmospheric property in the housing on the basis of the movement characteristic.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes a multi-wafer stack of a plurality of layers and a measurement chamber. The plurality of layers includes a first layer comprising a sensor element that has a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) membrane; and a second layer comprising an emitter element configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The measurement chamber is interposed between the first layer and the second layer. The measurement chamber is configured to receive a measurement gas and further receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter element as the electromagnetic radiation travels along a radiation path from a first end of the measurement chamber to a second end of the measurement chamber that is opposite to the first end.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the particulate matter content of an aerosol includes an aerosol chamber configured to receive an aerosol, the particulate matter content of which should be analyzed, at least one ultrasonic generator configured to produce ultrasonic waves in the aerosol received in the aerosol chamber, an ultrasonic detector configured to detect ultrasonic waves produced by the at least one ultrasonic generator in the aerosol, and an evaluator having a data exchange communication link with the ultrasonic detector and configured to ascertain the matter content on the basis of signals output by the ultrasonic detector. The ultrasonic generator and the ultrasonic detector are positioned relative to one another such that a path length to be traversed by ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic generator and the ultrasonic detector is less than 1 cm.

Abstract: A structure for fixing a membrane to a carrier including a carrier; a suspended structure; and a holding structure with a rounded concave shape which is configured to fix the suspended structure to the carrier and where a tapered side of the holding structure physically connects to the suspended structure is disclosed. A method of forming the holding structure on a carrier to support a suspended structure is further disclosed. The method may include: forming a holding structure on a carrier; forming a suspended structure on the holding structure; shaping the holding structure such that it has a concave shape; and arranging the holding structure such that a tapered side of the holding structure physically connects to the suspended structure.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention relates to a photoacoustic gas sensor comprising a gas-fillable detection chamber and a reference chamber arranged laterally adjacent to each other and connected by a sensor channel. A sensor located at or in the sensor channel allows measurement of the photoacoustic signals. Both chambers are preferably located in a plane perpendicular to the emitted IR radiation of the IR emitter which is also comprised. The gas sensor is also formed from a multilayer substrate. In further aspects, the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a gas sensor and a method of analyzing gas with a gas sensor.