MEMS and Product Design - Essay Example

MEMS and Product Design Number Department Introduction MEMS technology and its application greatly affect product design. MEMS refers to Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems. This is a miniaturised electro-mechanical and mechanical elements such as structures and devices that are made through the use of microfabrication techniques. MEMS’ functional elements comprise miniaturized structures, microelectronics, actuators and sensors, and some of its fundamental components consist of microactautors and microsensors that make up the transducers. According to Browne (2006, 1), the manner in which MEMS has affected product design in industrial application systems and in the manufacturing of accelerometers is very elaborate, being evidenced by developments in iPhone and TAHE refrigerators, as shall be seen in the discussion which ensues forthwith. MEMS and iPhone Technology Thesis statement The reason behind iPhone and TAHE refrigerators increased volume of sales is because of the integration of MEMS technology into their operating systems, since this approach highly promotes effective and finer product design. MEMS and iPhone Technology MEMS technology has greatly promoted iPhone technology and product design by incorporating the gyroscope technology into its product design, since 2008. A gyroscope is a device that is used for measuring and maintaining orientation, based on the fundamental principles of the conservation of angular momentum. The applicability of the MEMS technology when using the gyroscope in order to further iPhone product designs is underscored by the fact that these gyroscopes use spinning rotors at the centre, in order to read changes that have taken place in orientation. It is for this reason that this kind of gyroscope is referred to as MEMS gyroscope (ADI, 2013, 1). The MEMS technology specifically achieves this feat through the process of integration. Specifically, MEMS does this by integrating electronic and mechanical components, and embedding the same into the entire system, at a very small scale. This feat can easily be achieved through the use of micro-machined silicon sensors and ASIC. For instance, the AGDI 2022 FP6AQ chip is found in the iPhone 4 and it also serves as the MEMS gyroscope which is reputed for having been designed by STMicroelectronics (Kolesar, 1998, 1). There is also the use of chip work which helps embed the gyroscope into the entire MEMS system. The same chip work is found in iPhone 4 and is identical to an off-the-shelf STMicroelectronics which is known as the L3G4200D. Since 2008, the use of GK10A also came in handy, since it oscillates or vibrates when the drive signal is triggered or applied to the set of drive capacitor plates. The GK10 is made up of the proof mass. This is to the effect that when the user rotates his phone, the Coriolis displaces the proof mass in the X, Y and Z directions. From this juncture, an ASIC processor will sense the displacement of the proof mass through capacitor plates. The capacitor plates are located underneath the proof mass, together with the capacitors which are situated at the edges of the package. Coventor (2013, 1) also observes that MEMS technology has also helped increase speed in iPhone 4 and to also heighten fun in iPhone 4 use. This has been done by incorporating V654A ASIC into the system, so that it can convert the tiny capacitive signals from GK10A MEMS die into a chosen digital signal. This digital signal is then fed into the iPhone 4 system or applications. The import of the foregoing is that this approach increases the sensitivity of MEMS gyroscopes which is normally in mV/dps. This is to the effect that the output of the oscillator (which is divided by sensitivity [mV/dps]) makes provision for angular rates that are applied to the package in degrees per second. This has therefore gone a long way to increase the speed of iPhone 4 operations. At the same time, it is important to note that the data or software being used herein (GK10A MEMS) is the very one that is used to aim a gun or turn the steering wheels of a car in iPhone 4’s video games. It is against this backdrop that one can readily say that since 2008, the use of MEMS technology has enabled producers and designers of iPhone 4 grace the same gadget with speed and fun (Pennwell Corporation, 2010, 1). MEMS and TAHE Refrigerators The use of MEMS technology has paved for increased efficiency in energy use in refrigerators and thus leading to increased energy-saving. This standpoint is true since from 1999, MEMS technology has allowed the integration of refrigeration technology with thermoacoustic heat engines (TAHE). TAHE engines are simple devices that can efficiently convert heat energy to acoustic power, through the positive feedback loop between acoustic energy and heat transfer. These TAHE devices work without solid moving parts and exhibit self-excited oscillations whenever there is the maintenance of temperature difference across the stack. TAHE is also utilised to generate electricity through the maintenance of temperature difference extant between cold and hot heat exchanger which exist along the stack of parallel plates (Serry, et al., 2009, 525). MEMS-TAHE technology has also made the use of more favourable and high-powered refrigerators a reality. This is because of the high-powered density which characterises this technology. From 1999, this new technology has instead come with high-powered density, non-moving parts, long-life, combustion-free and environmentally friendly micropower generation device which contributes to recent developments in microscale heat engines. This positive attribute was achieved through the utilisation of materials that are available for MEMS technological design and fabrication feasibility which collectively have: helped in the formation of pillars from SiO2 to abate heat conduction along the stack; and helped in the formation of diamond-like carbon layer that is deposited to heighten heat conduction at the engine’s cold end, so as to help further large temperature differences across the stack (Serry, et al., 2009, 525). Conclusion The foregoing clearly illustrate that MEMS technology has gone a long way in shaping the course of product design. Particularly, MEMS technology or its application has since 2008, bequeathed the iPhone technology with speed, fun and user-friendlier applications, through the integration of operating software with gyroscope technology. Likewise, MEMS technology has since 1999, given rise to high-powered density, non-moving parts, long-life, combustion-free and environmentally friendly micropower generation device, through the application of TAHE technology. References ADI 2013. MEMS and Sensors. Retrieved From: http://www.analog.com/en/mems-sensors/products/index.html Browne, Jack. 2006. “MEMS Technology Motors Accelerometers.” Microwaves & RF, 45 (6): 90. Coventor, 2013. MEMS Product Design Platform. Retrieved From: http://www.coventor.com/products/mems/ Kolesar, E. 1998. Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS). Texas Christian University. Retrieved From: http://arri.uta.edu/acs/jmireles/MEMSclass/lecture2.pdf Pennwell Corporation. 2010. “iPhone 4 MEMS Microphone Technology Boon.” Solid State Technology: Insights for Electronics Manufacturing. Retrieved From: http://www.electroiq.com/articles/stm/2010/12/iphone-4-mems-microphone-technology-boon.html Serry, M. et al. 2009. “A New Approach for MEMS Power Generation Based on Thermoacoustic Heat Engine.” Power MEMS, 12 (3), 526. Read More