Abstract: A method for removing a heavy metal from water includes subjecting a microbial solution containing a liquid culture of a urease-producing bacterial strain and a reaction solution containing a manganese compound and urea to a microbial-induced precipitation reaction, so as to obtain biomineralized manganese carbonate (MnCO3) particles, admixing the biomineralized MnCO3 particles with water containing a heavy metal, so that the biomineralized MnCO3 particles adsorb the heavy metal in the water to form a precipitate, and removing the precipitate from the water.

Abstract: A device includes a housing unit with an internal volume. The device further includes a sensor coupled to a substrate via an electrical coupling, wherein the sensor is disposed within the internal volume of the housing unit, and wherein the sensor is in communication with an external environment of the housing unit from a side other than a side associated with the substrate. The device also includes a moisture detection unit electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the moisture detection unit comprises at least two looped wires at different heights, and wherein the moisture detection unit is configured to detect presence of a moisture within an interior environment of the housing unit when the moisture detection unit becomes in direct contact with the moisture.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a first electrode, a plurality of cavities, and a second electrode. The second electrode is disposed opposite the first electrode through the plurality of cavities. The second electrode includes a flat structure spanning two adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprises a polysilicon sensing membrane. The pressure sensor further includes one or more polysilicon electrodes disposed over a silicon substrate. The sensor also includes one or more polysilicon routing layers that electrically connects electrodes of the one or more polysilicon electrodes to one another, wherein the polysilicon sensing membrane deforms responsive to a stimuli and changes a capacitance between the polysilicon sensing membrane and the one or more polysilicon electrodes. The sensor also includes one or more vacuum cavities positioned between the polysilicon sensing membrane and the one or more polysilicon electrodes.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a passivation layer on a substrate; depositing and patterning a first polysilicon layer on the passivation layer; depositing and patterning a first oxide layer on the first polysilicon layer forming a patterned first oxide layer; depositing and patterning a second polysilicon layer on the patterned first oxide layer. A portion of the second polysilicon layer directly contacts a portion of the first polysilicon layer. A portion of the patterned second polysilicon layer corresponds to a bottom electrode. A second oxide layer is deposited on the patterned second polysilicon layer and on an exposed portion of the patterned first oxide layer. A portion of the second oxide layer corresponding to a sensing cavity is etched, exposing the bottom electrode. Another substrate is bonded to the second oxide layer enclosing the sensing cavity. A top electrode is disposed within the another substrate and positioned over the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A device includes a housing unit with an internal volume. The device further includes a sensor coupled to a substrate via an electrical coupling, wherein the sensor is disposed within the internal volume of the housing unit, and wherein the sensor is in communication with an external environment of the housing unit from a side other than a side associated with the substrate. The device also includes a moisture detection unit electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the moisture detection unit comprises at least two looped wires forming electrodes, and wherein the moisture detection unit is configured to detect presence of a moisture within an interior environment of the housing unit by measuring a capacitance between the electrodes and by detecting a change between the measured capacitance and a capacitance between the electrodes in absence of moisture.

Abstract: A device includes a housing unit with an internal volume. The device further includes a sensor coupled to a substrate via an electrical coupling, wherein the sensor is disposed within the internal volume of the housing unit, and wherein the sensor is in communication with an external environment of the housing unit from a side other than a side associated with the substrate. The device also includes a moisture detection unit electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the moisture detection unit comprises at least two looped wires at different heights, and wherein the moisture detection unit is configured to detect presence of a moisture within an interior environment of the housing unit when the moisture detection unit becomes in direct contact with the moisture.

Abstract: A device includes a sensor die, an electrical coupling, a substrate, a liquid detection unit, and a housing unit. The sensor die is coupled to the substrate via the electrical coupling. The liquid detection unit electrically is coupled to the sensor die. The housing unit and the substrate are configured to house the sensor die, the liquid detection unit, and the electrical coupling. The housing unit comprises an opening that exposes the sensor die to an environment external to the housing unit. The liquid detection unit detects presence of liquid within an interior environment of the housing unit. In some embodiments, the device further includes a gel filled within the interior environment of the housing unit covering the sensor die and the substrate. The gel, e.g., silicone, fluoro silicone, etc., is configured to protect the sensor die, the electrical coupling, and the substrate from exposure to the liquid.

Abstract: Robust microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors and related manufacturing techniques are described. Disclosed MEMS membranes and backplate structures facilitate manufacturing robust MEMS microphones. Exemplary MEMS membranes and backplate structures can comprise edge pattern holes having a length to width ratio greater than one and/or configured in a radial arrangement. Disclosed implementations can facilitate providing robust MEMS membranes and backplate structures, having edge pattern holes with a profile resembling at least one of an oval, an egg, an ellipse, a droplet, a cone, or a capsule or similar suitable configurations according to disclosed embodiments.

Abstract: A sensor includes a substrate, an oxide layer, a membrane, an electrode, and a trench. The oxide layer is disposed on the substrate. The membrane is positioned on the oxide layer. The membrane with the oxide layer and the substrate forms an enclosed cavity therein. The membrane comprises a rigid portion and a deformable portion wherein the deformable portion of the membrane deforms responsive to stimuli. The oxide layer forms side walls of the cavity. The electrode is positioned on the substrate and within the cavity. The trench is formed in the oxide layer, and wherein the trench is covered with barrier material.

Abstract: A device includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor die comprising a deformable membrane, a MEMS heating element, and a substrate. The MEMS heating element is integrated within a same layer and a same plane as the deformable membrane. The MEMS heating element surrounds the deformable membrane and is separated from the deformable membrane through a trench. The MEMS heating element is configured to generate heat to heat up the deformable membrane. The substrate is coupled to the deformable membrane.

Abstract: Robust microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors and related manufacturing techniques are described. Disclosed MEMS membranes and backplate structures facilitate manufacturing robust MEMS microphones. Exemplary MEMS membranes and backplate structures can comprise edge pattern holes having a length to width ratio greater than one and/or configured in a radial arrangement.

Abstract: A device includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor die comprising a deformable membrane, a MEMS heating element, and a substrate. The MEMS heating element is integrated within a same layer and a same plane as the deformable membrane. The MEMS heating element surrounds the deformable membrane and is separated from the deformable membrane through a trench. The MEMS heating element is configured to generate heat to heat up the deformable membrane. The substrate is coupled to the deformable membrane.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device may include a MEMS structure over a first substrate. The MEMS structure comprises a movable element. Depositing a first conductive material over the first substrate and etching trenches in a second substrate. Filling the trenches with a second conductive material and depositing a third conductive material over the second conductive material and the second substrate. Bonding the first substrate and the second substrate and thinning a backside of the second substrate which exposes the second conductive material in the trenches.

Abstract: A sensor includes a substrate, an electrode, a deformable membrane, and a compensating structure. The substrate includes a first side and a second side. The first side is opposite to the second side. The substrate comprises a cavity on the first side. The electrode is positioned at a bottom of the cavity on the first side of the substrate. The deformable membrane is positioned on the first side of the substrate. The deformable membrane encloses the cavity and deforms responsive to external stimuli. The compensation structure is connected to outer periphery of the deformable membrane. The compensation structure creates a bending force that is opposite to a bending force of the deformable membrane responsive to temperature changes and thermal coefficient mismatch.

Abstract: A sensor includes a substrate, an oxide layer, a membrane, an electrode, and a trench. The oxide layer is disposed on the substrate. The membrane is positioned on the oxide layer. The membrane with the oxide layer and the substrate forms an enclosed cavity therein. The membrane comprises a rigid portion and a deformable portion wherein the deformable portion of the membrane deforms responsive to stimuli. The oxide layer forms side walls of the cavity. The electrode is positioned on the substrate and within the cavity. The trench is formed in the oxide layer, and wherein the trench is covered with barrier material.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprises a first substrate and a cap attached to the first substrate. The cap includes a processing circuit, a cavity and a deformable membrane separating the cavity and a port open to an outside of the pressure sensor. Sensing means are provided for converting a response of the deformable membrane to pressure at the port into a signal capable of being processed by the processing circuit. The cap is attached to the first substrate such that the deformable membrane faces the first substrate and such that a gap is provided between the deformable membrane and the first substrate which gap contributes to the port. The first substrate comprises a support portion the cap is attached to, a contact portion for electrically connecting the pressure sensor to an external device, and one or more suspension elements for suspending the support portion from the contact portion.

Abstract: A sensor includes a deformable membrane that deflects in response to a stimuli. The sensor further includes a capacitive element coupled to the deformable membrane. The capacitive element is disposed within an enclosed cavity of the sensor. The capacitive element changes capacitance in response to the deformable membrane deflecting. The capacitive element comprises a getter material for collecting gas molecules within the enclosed cavity.

Abstract: A device includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor die comprising a deformable membrane, a MEMS heating element, and a substrate. The MEMS heating element is integrated within a same layer and a same plane as the deformable membrane. The MEMS heating element surrounds the deformable membrane and is separated from the deformable membrane through a trench. The MEMS heating element is configured to generate heat to heat up the deformable membrane. The substrate is coupled to the deformable membrane.

Abstract: A hot-runner mold includes a body having a passage defined axially therethrough. A needle valve is movably inserted into the passage. A heating member is spirally mounted to outside of the body. A locking member is connected to the body. A material supply tube is located between the locking member and the room in the body. The material supply tube includes a through hole. A guiding unit is located at the distal end of the material supply tube. The guiding unit has an injection hole defined therethrough which communicates with the through hole. The hardness of the guiding unit is higher than that of the material supply tube and the needle valve. The injection hole is not worn out by the needle valve to prevent the injection hole from being expanded.