Abstract: An information preservation and conveyance system for providing information and effects to intelligent creatures in the future. The system provides durable containers with components secured inside and durable structure components, such as building bricks for example, mountable to a durable building, pyramid, or other structure, with at least one structure component having external surface information readable by a human. Higher density durable information providing components may be secured inside a durable container by resilient devices to absorb impact forces. Durable optical magnifier pictographic instructions and an optical magnifier or projector may be secured by durable containers, which can have a container opener durably mounted to exposed sections on the durable containers. The durable containers can contain audio generation apparatus, which optionally may teach a language, and any of a wide variety of types of information and articles of possible interest and value to a discoverer in the future.

Abstract: An array of gas sensor device packages comprises a plurality of gas sensor device packages, each gas sensor device package comprising a lead frame including bond pads and at least one gas sensor die in electrical communication with the bond pads. The array further comprises a protective covering over the plurality of gas sensor device packages. Related gas sensor device packages and arrays and methods of forming the arrays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microhotplate comprising a membrane suspended over a substrate by a plurality of tethers connected between the substrate and the membrane. The membrane comprises a resistive heater comprising an electrically conductive material having a varying width from a peripheral portion of the membrane to a center of the membrane. The electrically conductive material comprises a first portion spiraling in a first direction and a second portion spiraling in a second direction and in electrical communication with the first portion at the center of the membrane. The microhotplate further comprises a first electrically conductive trace extending over a first tether and in electrical contact with a bond pad on the substrate and the first portion and a second electrically conductive trace extending over another tether and in electrical contact with another bond pad on the substrate and the second portion. Related chemical sensors and related methods of detecting at least one analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microhotplate comprising a membrane suspended over a substrate by a plurality of tethers connected between the substrate and the membrane. The membrane comprises a resistive heater comprising an electrically conductive material having a varying width from a peripheral portion of the membrane to a center of the membrane. The electrically conductive material comprises a first portion spiraling in a first direction and a second portion spiraling in a second direction and in electrical communication with the first portion at the center of the membrane. The microhotplate further comprises a first electrically conductive trace extending over a first tether and in electrical contact with a bond pad on the substrate and the first portion and a second electrically conductive trace extending over another tether and in electrical contact with another bond pad on the substrate and the second portion. Related chemical sensors and related methods of detecting at least one analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microhotplate comprising a membrane suspended over a substrate by a plurality of tethers connected between the substrate and the membrane. The membrane comprises a resistive heater comprising an electrically conductive material having a varying width from a peripheral portion of the membrane to a center of the membrane. The electrically conductive material comprises a first portion spiraling in a first direction and a second portion spiraling in a second direction and in electrical communication with the first portion at the center of the membrane. The microhotplate further comprises a first electrically conductive trace extending over a first tether and in electrical contact with a bond pad on the substrate and the first portion and a second electrically conductive trace extending over another tether and in electrical contact with another bond pad on the substrate and the second portion. Related chemical sensors and related methods of detecting at least one analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for dispensing portions of viscous material, such as the viscous materials used to form crystals of membrane proteins or soluble proteins. A liquid under pressure is used to divide the viscous material into portions.

Abstract: A method for fabricating close spaced mirror arrays on a semiconductor crystal substrate using a microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) technique where it is desired to form octagon or circular membranes in which the mirrors may be fabricated and steered for optical N×N switching. The method uses a 100 crystal plane substrate having a perpendicular 110 crystal plane. An etching mask with a layout of individual cross arms and a centered diamond is arranged with respect to their centers in a double triangle arrangement with the lines connecting the centers aligned at a 45 degree angle to the 110 crystal plane. This results in an almost double array density.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a vertical actuation comb drive first etches a cavity in a semiconductive wafer; then the comb structure is etched, and the fixed part of the structure is deformed by an induced strain, by techniques such as boron doping, by adding a metal layer or a fixed oxide, or a mechanical latch or an additional plate electrode. In a manner known in the art, application of a voltage across the fingers of the comb produces a deflection either tilting or a vertical movement in the moveable portion of the comb drive.

Abstract: A new and improved electrochemical actuator and method of using it enables a reversible electrochemical generation of gases for inducing a phase/volume change that can produce high actuation forces, long actuation distances, and remain at the last pressure level attained by current flow even after the power is switched off, enabling a zero power hold at any position. The electrochemical actuator includes an electrolyte solution sealed within a substantially constant volume chamber, having electrical contacts disposed therein such that the electrolyte is in electrical communication with the electrical contacts. Passage of current between the contacts through the electrolyte, separates the electrolyte and or electrode material into its component gas or gases, resulting in an increased pressure within the chamber.