Abstract: A timepiece is provided with a mechanical movement which includes a mechanical resonator, a sensor detecting oscillations of the mechanical resonator, and a braking device arranged to generate braking pulses in response to a control signal provided by a control circuit associated with an auxiliary oscillator. The control circuit is arranged to be capable of detecting a negative or positive temporal drift in the oscillation of the mechanical resonator and to generate, in a correction period, in association with the braking device, when the temporal drift corresponds to at least a certain loss, a series of braking pulses which are applied to the mechanical resonator at a frequency FSUP in a given range of values which is preferably higher than a frequency FZ (N)=2·F0c/N, F0c being a set point frequency for the mechanical resonator and N a positive integer number.

Abstract: The invention provides a device comprising a movable micromirror adapted to receive light from one or more light source(s) and manipulate the reflected light. The micromirror can be actuated electrothermally. In particular, the micromirror is adapted to do at least one of: (a) tipping along a first axis; (b) tilting along a second axis; (c) changing focal length (i.e., varifocal mode); and (d) elevating (i.e., piston mode). The invention also provides a system comprising at least one device comprising a movable micromirror and at least one light source. The invention can be used in smart lighting applications.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a MEMS device. The MEMS device includes a substrate having a first end and a second end extending along a longitudinal axis, the substrate including an electrostatic actuator. The device also includes a movable plate having a first end and a second end. The device also includes a thermal actuator having a first end coupled to the first end of the substrate and a second end coupled to the first end of the plate. The actuator moves the plate in relation to the substrate. Further, the device includes a power source electrically coupled to the thermal actuator and the substrate. The application is also directed to a method for operating a MEMS device.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a tunable filter system. The system includes a resonator having an inner wall surrounding a cavity. The resonator includes a MEMS device positioned in the cavity including a substrate, a movable plate and a thermal actuator. The thermal actuator is has a first end coupled to the substrate and a second end coupled to the plate. The actuator moves the plate between a first and a second position in relation to the substrate. The application is also directed to a method for operating the tunable filter.

Abstract: The invention provides a device comprising a movable micromirror adapted to receive light from one or more light source(s) and manipulate the reflected light. The micromirror can be actuated electrothermally. In particular, the micromirror is adapted to do at least one of: (a) tipping along a first axis; (b) tilting along a second axis; (c) changing focal length (i.e., varifocal mode); and (d) elevating (i.e., piston mode). The invention also provides a system comprising at least one device comprising a movable micromirror and at least one light source. The invention can be used in smart lighting applications.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a MEMS device. The MEMS device includes a substrate having a first end and a second end extending along a longitudinal axis, the substrate including an electrostatic actuator. The device also includes a movable plate having a first end and a second end. The device also includes a thermal actuator having a first end coupled to the first end of the substrate and a second end coupled to the first end of the plate. The actuator moves the plate in relation to the substrate. Further, the device includes a power source electrically coupled to the thermal actuator and the substrate. The application is also directed to a method for operating a MEMS device.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a tunable filter system. The system includes a resonator having an inner wall surrounding a cavity. The resonator includes a MEMS device positioned in the cavity including a substrate, a movable plate and a thermal actuator. The thermal actuator is has a first end coupled to the substrate and a second end coupled to the plate. The actuator moves the plate between a first and a second position in relation to the substrate. The application is also directed to a method for operating the tunable filter.

Abstract: A mechanical device capable of switching between two states is described. The device may include a micromechanical resonator with two distinct states in the hysteretic nonlinear regime. The devices can be used as a low-power, high-speed mechanical switch integrated on-chip with silicon circuitry.

Abstract: Electro-mechanical oscillating devices designed to convert the frequency of electrical signal(s) and methods associated with the same are described. One example of such a frequency converting device is a mixer.