A method of characterizing frequency fluctuations of a resonator comprising the steps of: a) driving the resonator, in a linear regime, by simultaneously applying two periodical driving signals having respective frequencies, the frequencies being different from each other and from a resonant frequency of the resonator, but contained within a resonance linewidth thereof; b) performing simultaneous measurements of response signal of the resonator at the frequencies of the periodical driving signal; and c) computing a value representative of a correlation between the measurements, the value being indicative of frequency fluctuations of the resonator. An apparatus for implementing such a method is provided.

In some embodiments, a sensor includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure, a cover, and a bump stop. The MEMS structure is configured to move responsive to electromechanical stimuli. The cover is positioned on the MEMS structure. The cover is configured to mechanically protect the MEMS structure. The bump stop is disposed on a substrate and the bump stop is configured to stop the MEMS structure from moving beyond a certain point. The bump stop is further configured to stop the MEMS structure from making physical contact with the substrate. Moreover, the cover is configured to apply a force to the MEMS structure responsive to a voltage being applied to the cover.

A non-electrical battery can include a backing plate; a plurality of strings disposed in parallel relation on the backing plate, each string comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each string is attached to the backing plate and each string extends away from the backing plate; and a charging mechanism attached to the second end of each string to apply a force to the strings to increase a potential energy stored by the strings.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with placement of magnets within a microelectromechanical system device are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a method of affixing at least one magnet in a microelectromechanical system, may include affixing an electromagnetic actuator to a base structure of the microelectromechanical system, the affixing including affixing the electromagnetic actuator within a recess formed in the base structure. The method may further include placing a magnet within the recess, wherein the recess includes at least a portion of a spring, the spring affixed to the base structure and extending into the recess, the placing including placing the magnet on a side of the electromagnetic actuator, between the spring and the side of the electromagnetic actuator, the spring pressing the magnet against the side of the electromagnetic actuator and maintaining a position of the magnet in response to the placing the magnet within the recess.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with placement of magnets within a microelectromechanical system device are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a method of affixing at least one magnet in a microelectromechanical system, may include affixing an electromagnetic actuator to a base structure of the microelectromechanical system, the affixing including affixing the electromagnetic actuator within a recess formed in the base structure. The method may further include placing a magnet within the recess, wherein the recess includes at least a portion of a spring, the spring affixed to the base structure and extending into the recess, the placing including placing the magnet on a side of the electromagnetic actuator, between the spring and the side of the electromagnetic actuator, the spring pressing the magnet against the side of the electromagnetic actuator and maintaining a position of the magnet in response to the placing the magnet within the recess.

The present disclosure discloses a micro-nuclear battery. The micro-nuclear battery comprises a base frame comprising a bottom, a top and a side wall; a cantilever structure having a free end hung in the air and a fixed end fixed to the side wall of the base frame and provided with a piezoelectric component thereon; and a radiation unit comprising an upper radioactive source and a lower radioactive source configured to emit electrons to the free end and respectively arranged at positions in inner surfaces on the top and the bottom of the base frame corresponding to the free end of the cantilever structure, wherein a width of the free end is greater than a width of the fixed end.

The present invention discloses a liquid-driven nano-porous actuator and the application thereof, and belongs to the field of nano material actuators. According to the present invention, by changing the content of the liquid in the nano-porous material, the interface between the surface liquid of the nano-porous material and air is exchanged between flat and curved states, so as to change the compressive stress acting on the nano-porous material from the surface tension of the liquid and change the elastic deformation of the nano-porous material, thus driving the nano-porous material to contract and expand in a reversible manner and further realizing driving performance. The actuator features simple and easy implementation and environmental-friendly effect without the need of external physical excitation signals (light, magnetic field, electricity or heat), complicated external excitation process, conversion of electric, magnetic, and light energy, chemical or electrochemical process, or toxic, harmful or corrosive chemical substances, and it is especially suitable for bio-robot, medical and aerospace fields.

Devices and methods for the detection of magnetic fields, strain, and temperature using the spin states of a V.sub.Si.sup. monovacancy defect in silicon carbide are provided. Also provided are quantum memory devices and methods for creation of quantum memory using the spin states of a V.sub.Si.sup. monovacancy defect in silicon carbide.

A sound producing cell includes a membrane and an actuating layer. The membrane includes a first membrane subpart and a second membrane subpart, wherein the first membrane subpart and the second membrane subpart are opposite to each other. The actuating layer is disposed on the first membrane subpart and the second membrane subpart. The first membrane subpart includes a first anchored edge which is fully or partially anchored, and edges of the first membrane subpart other than the first anchored edge are non-anchored. The second membrane subpart includes a second anchored edge which is fully or partially anchored, and edges of the second membrane subpart other than the second anchored edge are non-anchored.

A chemo-mechano-chemical (C.sub.1-M-C.sub.2) system includes a base supporting an actuatable structure, said structure comprising a functionalized portion and being embedded in an environmentally responsive gel capable of volume change in response to an environmental stimulus; a first fluid layer disposed over the base and in contact with the actuatable structure, said first fluid layer comprising the environmentally responsive gel; and a second fluid layer in contact with the actuatable structure, wherein the layers are positioned such that the functionalized portion is in contact with the second layer in a first relaxed state and in contact with the first layer in a second actuated state and wherein the functionalized portion interacts with at least one of the layers to provide a chemical or physical response.