• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.184-188
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• 2006

This work describes efforts in the fabrication and testing of robust microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Robustness is typically achieved by investigating non-silicon substrates and materials for MEMS fabrication. Some of the traditional MEMS fabrication techniques are applicable to robust MEMS, while other techniques are drawn from other technology areas, such as electronic packaging. The fabrication technologies appropriate for robust MEMS are illustrated through laminated polymer membrane based pressure sensor arrays. Each array uses a stainless steel substrate, a laminated polymer film as a suspended movable plate, and a fixed, surface micromachined back electrode of electroplated nickel. Over an applied pressure range from 0 to 34 kPa, the net capacitance change was approximately 0.14 pF. An important attribute of this design is that only the steel substrate and the pressure sensor inlet is exposed to the flow; i.e., the sensor is self-packaged.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.840-845
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• 2005

This paper presents a robust optimal design method for a periodic structure type of MEMS resonator that is vulnerable to mode localization. The robust configuration of such a MEMS resonator to fabrication error is implemented by changing the regularity of periodic structure. For the mathematical convenience, the MEMS resonator is first modeled as a multi pendulum system. The index representing the measure of mode variation is then introduced using the perturbation method and the concept of modal assurance criterion. Finally, the optimal intentional mistuning, minimizing the expectation of the irregularity measure for each substructure, is determined for the normal distributed fabrication error and its robustness in the design of MEMS resonator to the fabrication error is demonstrated with numerical examples.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.15 no.8 s.101
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• pp.931-938
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• 2005

This paper presents a robust optimal design method for a periodic structure type of MEMS resonator that is vulnerable to mode localization. The robust configuration of such a MEMS resonator to fabrication error is implemented by changing the regularity of periodic structure For the mathematical convenience, the MEMS resonator is first modeled as a multi-pendulum system. The index representing the measure of mode variation is then introduced using the perturbation method and the concept of modal assurance criterion. Finally, the optimal intentional mistuning, minimizing the expectation of the irregularity measure for each substructure, is determined for the normal distributed fabrication error and its robustness in the design of MEMS resonator to the fabrication error is demonstrated with numerical examples.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2015

This paper describes optimizing fabrication methods for 2-axis electrically levitated MEMS gyroscope. Electrostatically levitated gyroscope has very high potential of performance due to the fact that its proof mass is not mechanically bound to any other structures, but its complex structure and difficulty of fabrication holds back the research that only a few researches have been reported. In this work, fabrication method for glass-silicon-glass 3-floor structure for 2-axis electrically levitated MEMS gyroscope is presented, including simplified multi-level glass etch method utilizing photoresist attack, preventing metal diffusion by adding middle layer of metal electrode, overcoming Deep RIE limitation by separate fabrication of silicon structures and keeping the electrode safe from dicing debris.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2002

We present technical issues involved in the development of actuators and sensors for applications to high-precision Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS). The technical issues include fabrication uncertainty and noise disturbance, causing major difficulties for MEMS to achieve high-precision actuation and detection functions. For nano-precision actuators, we solve the fabrication instability and electrical noise problems using digital actuators coupled with nonlinear mechanical modulators. For the high-precision capacitive sensors, we present a branched finger electrodes using high-amplitude anti-phase sensing signals. We also demonstrate the potential applications of the nanoactuators and nanodetectors to high-precision positioning MEMS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.59-60
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• 2008

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.176-181
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• 2012

Due to the high etch rate and low fabrication cost, the wet etching of silicon using KOH etchant is widely used in MEMS fabrication area. However, anisotropic etch characteristic obstruct intuitional mask design and compensation structures are required for mask design level. Therefore, the accurate modeling for various types of silicon surface is essential for fabrication of three-dimensional MEMS structure. In this paper, we modeled KOH etch profile for MEMS based energy harvester using fuzzy logic. Modeling results are compared with experimental results and it is applied to design of compensation structure for MEMS based energy harvester. Through Fuzzy inference approaches, developed model showed good agreement with the experimental results with limited etch rate information.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.554-560
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• 2006

This paper describes the demonstration of successful fabrication and initial characterization of micromachined pressure sensors and micromachined jets (microjets) fabricated for use in macro flow control and other applications. In this work, the microfabrication technology was investigated to create a micromachined fluidic control system with a goal of application in practical fluids problems, such as UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)-scale aerodynamic control. Approaches of this work include: (1) the development of suitable micromachined synthetic jets (microjets) as actuators, which obviate the need to physically extend micromachined structures into an external flow; and (2) a non-silicon alternative micromachining fabrication technology based on metallic substrates and lamination (in addition to traditional MEMS technologies) which will allow the realization of larger scale, more robust structures and larger array active areas for fluidic systems. As an initial study, an array of MEMS pressure sensors and an array of MEMS modulators for orifice-based control of microjets have been fabricated, and characterized. Both pressure sensors and modulators have been built using stainless steel as a substrate and a combination of lamination and traditional micromachining processes as fabrication technologies.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.588-592
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• 2004

This paper presents the preliminary fabrication results of colloid thrusters which can provide thrust of the order of micro to milli-Newtons. MEMS technology has been used for fabrication, and four essential fabrication techniques - deep etching with nested masks, isotropic plasma etching, anisotropic reactive ion etching, and direct fusion wafer bonding - have been newly developed. Among diverse models which have been designed and fabricated, the fabrication results of 4-inch wafer-based colloid thrusters are presented.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.22-29
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• 2001