An example microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch comprises a hinge plane having two or more intersecting hinges; a switch plate; and a plurality of electrostatic pads. Selective activation of the electrostatic pads causes torsion of at least one of the two or more intersecting hinges to tilt the switch plate to a selected one of three or more positions.

A lever is used to rotate a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror. The lever can be used to provide more torque from a vertical comb drive. The MEMS mirror can be part of an array of micro mirrors used for beam steering a laser in a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system for an autonomous vehicle.

A platform includes first and second actuation layers. The first actuation layer includes first and second frames and a plurality of actuators connected between the first frame and the second frame, wherein the plurality of actuators are adapted to move the first and second frames with respect to each other in a first direction. The second actuation layer includes third and fourth frames and a plurality of actuators connected between the third frame and the fourth frame, wherein the plurality of actuators are adapted to move the third frame and the fourth frame with respect to each other in a second direction, different from the first direction. Thereby, the fourth frame of the second actuation layer and the second frame of the first actuation layer are mechanically connected to each other, such that the second actuation layer experiences the movement in the first direction induced by the first actuation layer.

A vibration gyroscope includes: a mass part supported to be displaceable in a first direction and a second direction; an exciter vibrating the mass part in the first direction; and a detector detecting a displacement amount of the mass part in the second direction. The first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other. A resonance frequency of the mass part in the first direction coincides with a resonance frequency of the mass part in the second direction. A Q-factor of vibration of the mass part in the second direction is smaller than a Q-factor of vibration of the mass part in the first direction.

A fixed frame (2) is fixed to an external member. An ultrasonic oscillator (3) is disposed inside the fixed frame (2) and includes a flexible first substrate and a first piezoelectric element deposited on the first substrate in the form of a thin film. The ultrasonic oscillator (3) is warped in response to expansion or contraction of the first piezoelectric element and generates ultrasonic waves. Actuator units (4) include a flexible second substrate coupling the first substrate to the fixed frame (2) and a second piezoelectric element deposited on the second substrate in the form of a thin film. The actuator units (4) are warped in response to expansion or contraction of the second piezoelectric element and cause the ultrasonic oscillator (3) to swing relative to the fixed frame (2). The fixed frame (2), the first substrate, and the second substrate are composed of the same substrate.

A method of controlling a needle actuator to interact with a cell is provided, the method comprising: providing an actuator comprising a tower, a stage and a needle, wherein the needle is mounted on the stage; applying an electrostatic potential between the tower and the stage to retract the needle; moving the actuator towards the cell; reducing the potential so as to allow the stage and needle to move towards the cell; applying calibration data to detect when the needle has pierced the cell; and reducing the potential further once it has been detected that the needle has pierced the cell. The cell can be a biological cell. The needle can be a micro-needle and the stage can be a micro-stage.

A package for moving a platform in six degrees of freedom, is provided. The platform may include an optoelectronic device mounted thereon. The package includes an in-plane actuator which may be a MEMS actuator and an out-of-plane actuator which may be formed of a piezoelectric element. The in-plane MEMS actuator may be mounted on the out-of-plane actuator mounted on a recess in a PCB. The in-plane MEMS actuator includes a plurality comb structures in which fingers of opposed combs overlap one another, i.e. extend past each other's ends. The out-of-plane actuator includes a central portion and a plurality of surrounding stages that are connected to the central portion. The in-plane MEMS actuator is coupled to the out-of-plane Z actuator to provide three degrees of freedom to the payload which may be an optoelectronic device included in the package.

A method of manufacturing a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) assembly includes mounting a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator to a metal plate. An image sensor assembly is mounted to the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator. The image sensor assembly is electrically coupled to the micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator, thus forming a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) subassembly.

A MEMS electrostatic piston-tube actuator that provides 4 degrees of freedom (4-DOF) motion is disclosed. The actuator comprises of an inner and an outer MEMS structure. The inner MEMS structure comprises of an inner moving stage (rotor) and an inner fixed frame (stator). The inner rotor comprises of a central load stage, a plurality of rotary comb drive electrodes surrounding the central rotor. The outer MEMS structure comprises of an outer moving stage (outer rotor) and outer stator frame. The outer rotor holds the entire inner MEMS structure and is rigidly attached to it through a fixed periphery of the inner MEMS structure. The outer rotor comprises of a plurality of through openings (tubes) and attached to a fixed outer periphery through a plurality of mechanical springs. A load set on the central stage can be controlled in 4-DOF comprising of translational and rotational motions of roll, yaw, pitch, and z-axis translation.

Accelerometer including a seismic mass in a plane and a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate arranged parallel to the plane. The seismic mass is arranged in between the first capacitor plate and the second capacitor plate. The first capacitor plate and the second capacitor plate are configured to detect movements of the seismic mass out of the plane. A pillar extending from the first capacitor plate to the second capacitor plate through a cut-out in the seismic mass for stiffening the accelerometer.