Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS inkjet type print head and the resulting device is disclosed. The method includes providing a driver component and separately providing an actuatable membrane component, the actuatable membrane component being formed in the absence of an acid etch removing a sacrificial layer. The separately provided actuatable membrane component is bonded to the driver component and a nozzle plate is attached to the actuatable membrane component subsequent to the bonding. Separately fabricating the components removes the need for hydrofluoric acid etch removal of a sacrifical layer previously required for forming the actuatable membrane with respect to the driver component.

Abstract: A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provide a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS inkjet type print head and the resulting device is disclosed. The method includes providing a driver component and separately providing an actuatable membrane component, the actuatable membrane component being formed in the absence of an acid etch removing a sacrificial layer. The separately provided actuatable membrane component is bonded to the driver component and a nozzle plate is attached to the actuatable membrane component subsequent to the bonding. Separately fabricating the components removes the need for hydrofluoric acid etch removal of a sacrificial layer previously required for forming the actuatable membrane with respect to the driver component.

Abstract: The present application is directed to novel electrostatic actuators and methods of making the electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, the electrostatic actuator comprises a substrate, an electrode formed on the substrate and a deflectable member positioned in proximity to the electrode so as to provide a gap between the electrode and the deflectable member. The deflectable member is anchored on the substrate via one or more anchors. The gap comprises at least one first region having a first gap height positioned near the one or more anchors and at least one second region having a second gap height positioned farther from the anchors than the first region. The first gap height is smaller than the second gap height.

Abstract: A method and structure for an ink jet printhead aperture plate assembly which can be part of an ink jet printhead and an ink jet printer. The present teachings can include the use of a protective coverlay interposed between a press plate of a press and an anti-wetting coating on a polyimide layer which forms part of the aperture plate assembly. The coverlay can include a base material which has an elastic modulus which is at least a specified value. An embodiment of the present teachings can form an aperture plate assembly and an ink jet printhead having reduced dimpling and deformation around a nozzle opening in the aperture plate assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are micro-electromechanical devices and methods of fabricating them. An exemplary micro-electromechanical device can include a first dielectric layer; a buried conductive trace disposed over the first dielectric layer, such that the buried conductor trace is electrically connected to an outside power source; a second dielectric layer disposed over the buried conductive trace; at least one conductive electrode disposed over the second dielectric layer and electrically connected to the buried conductive trace; and at least one conductive membrane including membrane anchors disposed over the second dielectric layer, such that the at least one conductive membrane is electrically isolated from the at least one conductive electrode and the buried conductor trace, wherein the at least one conductive electrode is electrically connected to the power source through the buried conductive trace.

Abstract: A nozzle plate for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle plate including a nozzle through which ink is ejected, the nozzle optimally positioned in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate further including at least one priming hole, the priming hole distinct from and of a smaller diameter than the nozzle, the priming holes positioned at selected locations of the nozzle plate to purge air from the ink jet print head.

Abstract: An aperture plate for a print head of a printer can include a first layer having a first emissivity which is covered by a second layer having a second emissivity which is less than the first emissivity. In an embodiment, the second layer can be etched at nozzle locations to form openings in the second layer which have widths/areas greater than widths/areas of nozzles formed in the first layer. In another embodiment, the second layer can have a smaller thickness at the nozzle locations and a larger thickness away from the nozzle locations. Forming the openings in the second layer which are larger than the nozzles, or forming the second layer thinner at the nozzle locations prior to forming the nozzles, can provide a well-formed nozzle and an aperture plate having a low emissivity.

Abstract: A projection system includes a display apparatus comprising a plurality of tunable Fabry-Perot filters, each of the filters being configured for shifting between a state in which the filter transmits radiation in a bandwidth in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and a state in which the filter transmits radiation in a bandwidth outside the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. An illuminator provides light to the plurality of Fabry-Perot filters. A control system receives image data and controls the display apparatus to project an image onto an associated display surface. The control system includes a modulator which provides wavelength modulation signals to the plurality of Fabry-Perot filters to modulate a color of pixels in the image and causes selected ones of the Fabry-Perot filters to shift into the bandwidth outside the visible range to modulate the brightness of pixels in the image.

Abstract: A full width array printhead is provided having a continuous maintainable printhead surface and method of forming the same. The printhead includes a substrate and an array of die modules mounted thereon with a front face of each die module exposed. A hardened fill material surrounds the array of die modules to define a continuous surface coplanar with the front face of the array of die modules.

Abstract: A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provides a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.

Abstract: A method of connecting a chip to a package in a semiconductor device includes printing an encapsulant to a predetermined thickness on at least a portion of the chip and package and printing a layer of conductive material on the encapsulant in a predetermined pattern between the chip and package. The printed conductive material conforms to an upper surface of the encapsulant such that the encapsulant defines a distance from the printed conductive material to the chip and package. The method further includes printing a second layer of encapsulant over the printed conductive material curing at least the second layer of encapsulant.

Abstract: A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provides a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials, systems and methods for ink jet printhead, wherein a low-adhesion coating can be applied to at least one surface portion of an ink chamber within the printhead to reduce or eliminate actuator membrane damage during ink freeze/thaw cycles.

Abstract: An ink jet print head includes an ink chamber defined by an electrostatically actuated membrane and a nozzle plate opposing the membrane. The nozzle plate includes a nozzle hole and a group of priming holes, the priming holes configured to maintain a substantially ink free surface on the nozzle plate during a freeze thaw cycle of ink in the ink chamber. A method for accommodating expansion and contraction of ink during a freeze thaw cycle of ink in an ink chamber is also provided. The method includes providing a group of priming holes in a nozzle plate of the ink chamber, the group of priming holes maintaining a substantially ink free surface on the nozzle plate during the freeze thaw cycle.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more stepped nozzles each with an associated entrance diameter and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the stepped nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The stepped nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the entrance diameter can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.

Abstract: A nozzle plate for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle plate including a nozzle through which ink is ejected, the nozzle optimally positioned in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate further including at least one priming hole, the priming hole distinct from and of a smaller diameter than the nozzle, the priming holes positioned at selected locations of the nozzle plate to purge air from the ink jet print head.

Abstract: The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is positioned in proximity to the first electrode so as to provide a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is capable of being deflected toward the second electrode. A dielectric structure comprising a dielectric landing post is positioned in the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric structure extending over a greater surface of the gap than the landing post. The landing post protrudes out into the gap so as to limit the minimum contact spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microelectromechanically tunable Fabry-Perot device and method of manufacturing tunable Fabry-Perot device and method of manufacturing. The F-P device comprises a first and second substrate which has partially reflective planar surfaces, and the partially reflective planar surfaces are separated by a predetermined separation distance and aligned to provide a F-P cavity, where one or more piezoelectric members are adapted to displace the first and second substrates when an electric field is applied.

Abstract: Methods and systems of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The methods and systems can include a printhead with one or more tapered nozzles each with an associated taper angle and exit diameter. Ink can be received into the printhead and formed into ink drops in the tapered nozzles. The ink drops can each have an associated drop mass and drop speed. The tapered nozzles can be provided such that the exit diameter can independently dictate the drop mass and the taper angle can independently dictate the drop speed. As such, the complexity of jet design optimization is reduced.