A MEMS micromirror includes a mirror surface driving structure which is positioned on a substrate and includes two L-shaped structures in head-to-tail arrangement. Each L-shaped structure includes a second torsion beam, an L-shaped transverse plate and a second comb-shaped structure. The first driving electrode is provided on the substrate at a position under a head end of the L-shaped transverse plate, the head end of the L-shaped transverse plate is rotatable with support of the second torsion beam, and a tail end of the L-shaped transverse plate is connected with the second comb-shaped structure. The micromirror surface layer is disposed above the mirror surface driving structure, the first torsion beam is fixed by the substrate and supports two sides of the micromirror surface layer, and two sides, corresponding to the second comb-shaped structures, of the micromirror surface layer are provided with first comb-shaped structures, respectively.

A repulsive-attractive-force electrostatic actuator according to some embodiments of the invention includes a first actuator layer including a first substrate, a first electrode pattern, and a second electrode pattern. The actuator further includes a second actuator layer including a second substrate, a third electrode pattern, and a fourth electrode pattern. The actuator further includes a first voltage source connected to the first and second electrode patterns such that the first electrode pattern is at a relative voltage of V1 to the second electrode pattern, and a second voltage source connected to the third and fourth electrode patterns such that the third electrode pattern is at a relative voltage of V2 to the fourth electrode pattern. The applied relative voltages V1 and V2 are selectable to provide one of a selected repulsive force or a selected attractive force between the first and second actuator layers.

A MEMS micromirror includes a mirror surface driving structure which is positioned on a substrate and includes two L-shaped structures in head-to-tail arrangement. Each L-shaped structure includes a second torsion beam, an L-shaped transverse plate and a second comb-shaped structure. The first driving electrode is provided on the substrate at a position under a head end of the L-shaped transverse plate, the head end of the L-shaped transverse plate is rotatable with support of the second torsion beam, and a tail end of the L-shaped transverse plate is connected with the second comb-shaped structure. The micromirror surface layer is disposed above the mirror surface driving structure, the first torsion beam is fixed by the substrate and supports two sides of the micromirror surface layer, and two sides, corresponding to the second comb-shaped structures, of the micromirror surface layer are provided with first comb-shaped structures, respectively.

A hybrid electrostatic actuator for use in conjunction with microfluidic devices, microlenses, optical irises and flat panel displays is provided. The hybrid electrostatic actuator includes a substrate having an upper surface and an electrical conductor supported in spaced relation to the substrate. A fluid is received between the substrate and the electrical conductor. An electrostatic generator is configured to selectively apply a variable electrostatic force on the electrical conductor. The application of the variable electrostatic force on the electrical conductor displaces the fluid from between the substrate and the electrical conductor.

Systems and methods for forming an electrostatic MEMS plate switch include forming a deformable plate on a first substrate, forming the electrical contacts on a second substrate, and coupling the two substrates using a hermetic seal. A two-fold symmetric switch may be formed by a primary, secondary, and optionally tertiary set of voids formed in the movable plate. These voids may define the spring beams which provide a stable and reliable restoring force to the switch.

Systems and methods for maintaining autonomous vehicle operator awareness are provided. A method can include determining, by a computing system, an awareness challenge for an operator of a vehicle. The awareness challenge can be based on object data. The awareness challenge can have one or more criteria. The criteria can include a challenge response interval, a response time, and an action for satisfying the awareness challenge. The method can include initiating, by the computing system, a timer measuring elapsed time from a start time of the challenge response interval. The method can include communicating to the operator, by the computing system, a soft notification indicative of the awareness challenge during the challenge response interval. The method can include determining, by the computing system, whether the operator provides a user input after the response time interval and whether the user input corresponds to the action for satisfying the awareness challenge.

In a mirror driving apparatus, a pair of beam portions includes: a pair of first beams directly adjacent to a reflector to sandwich the reflector between the first beams; and a pair of second beams each coupled to one side of a corresponding one of the first beams, the one side being opposite to the reflector with respect to the corresponding one of the first beams. A plurality of electrodes are spaced from each other on a main surface of each of the first beams, a piezoelectric material being interposed between the main surface and the plurality of electrodes. The first beams are displaceable crosswise to the main surface in respective directions opposite to each other. The pair of second beams is displaceable in a direction connecting the first beams and the second beams, along the main surface of the second beams.

A micromechanical spring structure, including a spring beam and a rigid micromechanical structure, the spring beam including a first end and an opposing second end along a main extension direction. The spring beam includes a fork having two support arms on at least one of the two ends, which is anchored to the rigid micromechanical structure, the two support arms being anchored to a surface of the rigid micromechanical structure, which extends perpendicular to the main extension direction of the spring beam.

A microelectromechanical component including, vertically at a distance from one another, a substrate device, a first, a second, and a third functional layer, a vertical stop being formed between the second and third functional layer, the vertical stop having a stop area on a surface of the second functional layer facing the third functional layer, wherein the second functional layer is connected to the first functional layer in a connecting area allocated to the stop area.

A display device includes: a translucent substrate; a light-shielding film provided on the translucent substrate; first transparent insulating films that are provided on the translucent substrate so as to cover the covering the light-blocking film; and a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) that are provided on the first transparent insulation films and include a portion of lines made of conductive films. The light-shielding film is arranged so as to overlap at least the TFTs, when viewed in a direction vertical to the translucent substrate.