Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a perforated stator; a first isolation layer on a first surface of the perforated stator; a second isolation layer on a second surface of the perforated stator; a first membrane on the first isolation layer; a second membrane on the second isolation layer; and a pillar coupled between the first membrane and the second membrane, wherein the first isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the first membrane, wherein the second isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the second membrane, and wherein an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the first isolation layer is laterally offset with respect to an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a perforated stator; a first isolation layer on a first surface of the perforated stator; a second isolation layer on a second surface of the perforated stator; a first membrane on the first isolation layer; a second membrane on the second isolation layer; and a pillar coupled between the first membrane and the second membrane, wherein the first isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the first membrane, wherein the second isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the second membrane, and wherein an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the first isolation layer is laterally offset with respect to an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a first deflectable membrane structure, a rigid electrode structure and a second deflectable membrane structure in a vertically spaced configuration. The rigid electrode structure is arranged between the first and second deflectable membrane structures. The first and second deflectable membrane structures each includes a deflectable portion, and the deflectable portions of the first and second deflectable membrane structures are mechanically coupled by mechanical connection elements to each other and are mechanically decoupled from the rigid electrode structure. At least a subset of the mechanical connection elements are elongated mechanical connection elements.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a perforated stator; a first isolation layer on a first surface of the perforated stator; a second isolation layer on a second surface of the perforated stator; a first membrane on the first isolation layer; a second membrane on the second isolation layer; and a pillar coupled between the first membrane and the second membrane, wherein the first isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the first membrane, wherein the second isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the second membrane, and wherein an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the first isolation layer is laterally offset with respect to an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a perforated stator; a first isolation layer on a first surface of the perforated stator; a second isolation layer on a second surface of the perforated stator; a first membrane on the first isolation layer; a second membrane on the second isolation layer; and a pillar coupled between the first membrane and the second membrane, wherein the first isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the first membrane, wherein the second isolation layer includes a first tapered edge portion having a common surface with the second membrane, and wherein an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the first isolation layer is laterally offset with respect to an endpoint of the first tapered edge portion of the second isolation layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin-film layer includes providing a layer stack on a carrier substrate, wherein the layer stack includes a carrier layer and a sacrificial layer, and wherein the sacrificial layer includes areas in which the carrier layer is exposed. The method includes providing the thin-film layer on the layer stack, such that the thin-film layer bears on the sacrificial layer and, in the areas of the sacrificial layer in which the carrier layer is exposed, against the carrier layer. The method includes at least partly removing the sacrificial layer from the thin-film layer in order to eliminate a contact between the thin-film layer and the sacrificial layer in some areas. The method also includes detaching the thin-film layer from the carrier layer.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a deflectable membrane, a first clamping layer on a first surface of the deflectable membrane, a second clamping layer on a second surface of the deflectable membrane, a first perforated backplate on the first clamping layer, and a second perforated backplate on the second clamping layer, wherein the first clamping layer comprises a first tapered edge portion having a negative slope between the first perforated backplate and the deflectable membrane.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a deflectable membrane, a first clamping layer on a first surface of the deflectable membrane, a second clamping layer on a second surface of the deflectable membrane, a first perforated backplate on the first clamping layer, and a second perforated backplate on the second clamping layer, wherein the first clamping layer comprises a first tapered edge portion having a negative slope between the first perforated backplate and the deflectable membrane.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure includes a deflectable membrane, a first clamping layer on a first surface of the deflectable membrane, a second clamping layer on a second surface of the deflectable membrane, a first perforated backplate on the first clamping layer, and a second perforated backplate on the second clamping layer, wherein the first clamping layer comprises a first tapered edge portion having a negative slope between the first perforated backplate and the deflectable membrane.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin-film layer includes providing a layer stack on a carrier substrate, wherein the layer stack includes a carrier layer and a sacrificial layer, and wherein the sacrificial layer includes areas in which the carrier layer is exposed. The method includes providing the thin-film layer on the layer stack, such that the thin-film layer bears on the sacrificial layer and, in the areas of the sacrificial layer in which the carrier layer is exposed, against the carrier layer. The method includes at least partly removing the sacrificial layer from the thin-film layer in order to eliminate a contact between the thin-film layer and the sacrificial layer in some areas. The method also includes detaching the thin-film layer from the carrier layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin-film layer includes providing a layer stack on a carrier substrate, wherein the layer stack includes a carrier layer and a sacrificial layer, and wherein the sacrificial layer includes areas in which the carrier layer is exposed. The method includes providing the thin-film layer on the layer stack, such that the thin-film layer bears on the sacrificial layer and, in the areas of the sacrificial layer in which the carrier layer is exposed, against the carrier layer. The method includes at least partly removing the sacrificial layer from the thin-film layer in order to eliminate a contact between the thin-film layer and the sacrificial layer in some areas. The method also includes detaching the thin-film layer from the carrier layer.

Abstract: A MEMS device is provided. The MEMS device includes a membrane, and at least one electrode arranged at a distance from the membrane. The at least one electrode includes a layer stack. The layer stack includes a first insulation layer, a first conductive layer arranged thereabove, a second insulation layer arranged thereabove, a second conductive layer arranged thereabove, and a third insulation layer arranged thereabove.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin-film layer includes providing a layer stack on a carrier substrate, wherein the layer stack includes a carrier layer and a sacrificial layer, and wherein the sacrificial layer includes areas in which the carrier layer is exposed. The method includes providing the thin-film layer on the layer stack, such that the thin-film layer bears on the sacrificial layer and, in the areas of the sacrificial layer in which the carrier layer is exposed, against the carrier layer. The method includes at least partly removing the sacrificial layer from the thin-film layer in order to eliminate a contact between the thin-film layer and the sacrificial layer in some areas. The method also includes detaching the thin-film layer from the carrier layer.

Abstract: A MEMS device is provided. The MEMS device includes a membrane, and at least one electrode arranged at a distance from the membrane. The at least one electrode includes a layer stack. The layer stack includes a first insulation layer, a first conductive layer arranged thereabove, a second insulation layer arranged thereabove, a second conductive layer arranged thereabove, and a third insulation layer arranged thereabove.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for delivering substances to specific embryonic structures, including heart and blood vessels, within a developing avian egg. The disclosure also relates to methods of using the device to produce enhanced avian embryos. Methods include administering to chicken embryos various substances, including vaccines, nutrients, and stem cells. Chickens resulting from enhanced avian embryos have advantages, including greater growth potential and resistance to pathogen infection/infestation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for delivering substances to specific embryonic structures, including heart and blood vessels, within a developing avian egg. The disclosure also relates to methods of using the device to produce enhanced avian embryos. Methods include administering to chicken embryos various substances, including vaccines, nutrients, and stem cells. Chickens resulting from enhanced avian embryos have advantages, including greater growth potential and resistance to pathogen infection/infestation.

Abstract: A large dimension hollow body such as a fuel tank is formed from cold deformable sheet metal by cutting a sheet metal blank of a conformation matching the hollow structure to be formed and which has a nonuniform cross section between its ends. The sheet metal blank is then formed into a three-dimensional shape closed at one end and subjected to hydrostatic forming, whereupon the other end is closed optionally after insertion of an object to be received in the tank such as a fuel pump. The welding of the edges of the blank together and the application of the caps can produce pressure-tight weld seams and can be effected by laser-beam welding or tungsten inert gas welding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a machine for false twist texturing a plurality of synthetic filament yarns and which includes a plurality of side by side processing stations. The plurality of processing stations are divided into a plurality of sections, with each section comprising a plurality of processing stations. The processing stations of each of the sections are monitored and controlled independently of the processing stations of adjacent sections, so that the processing of the yarns in each section is independent of the processing of the yarns in adjacent sections.

Abstract: A tube bundle heat exchanger has heat exchanger tubes which are formed over the length of the tube and especially the central region with uniform constricting formations. The degree of constriction, however, is reduced from the central region toward the outlet end, e.g. by reducing the depth of the formations, by increasing the pitch or pitch angle of helical formations, by increasing the spacing of the formations or by any combination thereof. The result is enhanced heat exchange efficiency and/or reduced pressure drop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a machine for false twist texturing a plurality of synthetic filament yarns and which includes a plurality of side by side processing stations. The plurality of processing stations are divided into a plurality of sections, with each section comprising a plurality of processing stations. The processing stations of each of the sections are monitored and controlled independently of the processing stations of adjacent sections, so that the processing of the yarns in each section is independent of the processing of the yarns in adjacent sections.