MEMS - Tiny Devices Set To Power The Future

_{MEMS Motion Tracking Device on a quadrotor board. Image By Andres Rueda CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikicommons}

The past couple of years, have seen humans evolve and there has been a lot of notable advancement in the technological space. At a point, humans were just hunting and leaving off what they hunted after, then they made a living out of hunted for. Today the case is quite different as humans have gotten to the point of protruding their natural habitat and seek seek solace in other terrestrial habitat, such as the moon.Suffice to say, humans have now been able to find their place in the universe. Someone one said its fascinating the fact that humans have come this far, quite a very long way as compared to other animals, well I'd say with such brain which they got; they are actually moving on a moderate speed. The multiple number of years which has run by has seen a vast number of numerous inventions and discoveries alike due to advancement in technology; this and many more are just the tip of the iceberg of the many things which have driven us forward to this point in a relatively short while. With the invention of wheels, toasters (this is still a very important invention by the way), cars, computers; of which all fall under the family of technology, humans have now discovered that potatoes could be grown and harvested on Mars! _source

_{Food production on Mars. NASA CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikicommons}

As more years ran by, humans have gotten to the point of inventing larger and very powerful machines, looking back at ten years ago, who could have possibly given thought to the fact that there would be anything like a space station today. Given that there are so many huge and magnificent inventions springing up everywhere all around us, it's more or less expected that more huge invention that’s even way bigger than the former are on its way, Well, yes and no… today the subject of our discourse would center on a relatively new piece of technology which which when looked upon as size matters would be easily written off, but when it comes to its capabilities; it's effect on us are huge, very huge.

MEMS: Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems

Micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are technological process which are used in the creation of integrated devices which combines electrical and mechanical components. Micro electro-mechanical systems is a relatively not new technology as they were coined in the 1980's and they are particularly small devices and they consists of structures and devices which are made by using microfabrication techniques. MEMS devices could be as small as one micron (one ten-thousandth of one centimeter) to about a few millimeters in size. To put this in proper perspective, a MEMS device could be thinner than a fingernail or as large as a coin.

MEMS functional elements are composed of miniaturized structures, actuators, sensors and microelectronics, of which the most notable and perhaps also the most interesting elements appears to be the microactuators and microsensors. MEMS devices combines micro-machining technology with silicon-based micro-electronics. These MEMS devices are usually made up of a central processing unit which is responsible for handing all the incoming data from other components attached to them which interacts with the surroundings, (an example are microsensors) and then feed the data back to the central unit for further processing.

As earlier aforementioned, MEMS devices could be relatively very small in size. Additionally, they could also vary in their functionalities as well as moving parts. Take for example, while some MEMS devices could be extremely simple and might not have really be made up of any moving parts, some others might have quite an exceedingly complex mechanical structures and quite a lot moving elements all under the control of a central processing unit, with integrated micro-electronics.

What’s in this for me?!

Concluding that MEMS technology has the capacity and potential to thoroughly transform the way we carry out the basic things in our daily lives; is not short of the truth. Factually, in a number of cases, it might just be the difference between life and death.To this end, let's take a look at the number of things which MEMS could be used for.

• MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers

This are instrument used for measuring the acceleration in a moving or vibrating body, these MEMS powered gyroscopes and accelerometers are mostly used in helicopters and drones which are remotely-controlled to control some in-flight features, the likes of pitching, rolling and yawing; MEMS gyroscopes are even now used in modern sport utility vehicle (SUV) cars to detect yaw as well as for the deployment of airbags.

• MEMS micro-rockets

Presently, MEMS micro-rockets most definitely do not amass the capacity power a space shuttle, but who knows, given it's unlimited potential; the next couple decades might just bring about a some tiny or minute micro-rickets (which might even appear almost invincible) powering huge space shuttle into space.

• MEMS in other technologies

The presence of MEMS devices could also be found in gaming devices, they come in the form of accelerometers in some selected game controllers, the likes of Nintendo Wii. They could also be found in other tech such as laptops, mobile phones digital cameras etc. MEMS application includes its use in most giant displays depending on Digital Micromirror Devices (DMD), based on an DLP technology, optical switching technology (which is used in data communication), injket printers which make use of thermal bubble ejection to deposit ink on paper to produce a crisp print, small-scale energy harvesting (such as generating electricity from dance floors) and so much more.

MEMS is a technology which encompasses highly miniaturized elements which really isn't made visible to the human. Although MEMS haven't been fully integrated, it packs a wide range for benefits which includes but not limited to: miniaturization of systems, an increased capacity for information, discovery of new materials which results from the new science of miniaturized scales as well as an increased autonomy functionality for systems... indeed these MEMS devices are set to power the future.

References

1. What is MEMS

2. MEMS & Nanotechnology Exchange

3. Introductiom to Micro-electromechanical systems

4.Microelectromechanical systems