An actuator element of a MEMS device on a substrate is provided to create large, out-of-plane deflection. The actuator element includes a metallic layer having a first portion contacting the substrate and a second portion having an end proximal to the first portion. A distal end is cantilevered over the substrate. A first insulating layer contacts the metallic layer on a bottom contacting surface of the second cantilevered portion from the proximal to the distal end. A second insulating layer contacts the metallic layer on a portion of a top contacting surface at the distal end. The second portion of the metallic layer is prestressed. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the first and second insulating layers is different than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the metallic layer. And, a Young's modulus of the first and second insulating layer is different than a Young's modulus of the metallic layer.

A displacement enlarging mechanism includes a substrate, a fixing portion provided at the substrate, an actuator coupled to the fixing portion, a beam extending in a direction substantially parallel to an upper surface of the substrate and having a base end side has been coupled to the actuator and coupled to the fixing portion and having folded back in a direction crossing the upper surface of the substrate, and a coupling portion and a mirror coupled to a folded-back portion formed by folding back of the beam. The actuator drives the beam to push or pull the beam from the base end side in the direction of the folded-back portion.

A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) actuator device includes a frame, and a first functional sub-structure positioned within the frame and mechanically coupled thereto by supporting elements. The first functional sub-structure is subdivided into first and second portions. The first portion is subdivided into first and second sub-portions separated from one another by a first through trench, and the second portion is subdivided into first and second sub-portions separated from one another by a second through trench. First and second piezo-electric structures are respectively carried by the first and second sub-portions of the first portion. Third and fourth piezo-electric structures are respectively carried by the first and second sub-portions of the second portion. A third through trench extends between the frame and the first functional sub-structure except for regions in which the supporting elements are present.

A micromechanical z-inertial sensor includes a substrate; a movable seismic mass in a micromechanical functional layer; a torsion spring connected to the movable seismic mass and about which the seismic mass able to rotate; an electrode layer below the seismic mass and that, in an outer region is connectible to a potential of the substrate and is connected to the seismic mass via an insulating layer; and electrodes at a distance above and below an inner region of the electrode surface.

A mechanical microsystem including a pair of elastically deformable elements, a mechanical hinge joining the deformable elements together, and at least two electroactive layers. The microsystem is configured such that, from a rest position wherein the deformable elements fall into a plane, a deformation of one of the deformable elements displacing it outside of the plane induces an electric current circulation in one of the two electroactive layers, and/or conversely. Each deformable element has a front face and a rear face opposite one another and substantially parallel to the plane. A first electroactive layer is arranged together with a first deformable element on its rear face, and a second electroactive layer, different from the first layer, is arranged with a second deformable element, different from the first element, on its front face.

An actuator system can be used to adjust a position of a component in a spatial light modulator. The actuator system has a pair of actuators that are coupled together by a frame that is used to adjust the height of the component relative to the substrate. The frame includes a pair of moment arms that are coupled to the actuators and a pair of connecting arms that are coupled to the moment arms. The connecting arms are then connected together at about the center of the frame, which portion of the frame can be used to raise or lower the plate. The center of the frame can be raised or lowered by a shortening or lengthening of the connecting arms relative to each other.

Provided is a MEMS acoustic sensor including a substrate and a cavity, a back plate supported on the substrate and including a plurality of through-holes, at least one anchor projecting from the back plate toward the substrate, and a diaphragm supported by the at least one anchor and deformed by a sound wave introducing from the outside through the cavity, wherein no part of the deformed diaphragm comes into contact with the substrate.

A piston-mode spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a mirror and an electrode. The electrode is attached to the mirror. The electrode includes: a rigid body; and three spring legs coupled to the rigid body and configured to displace the rigid body responsive to an electrostatic force applied to the electrode.

The invention provides a piezoelectric micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes a base with a cavity and a piezoelectric diaphragm arranged on the base. The base has a ring base and a support column. The piezoelectric diaphragm includes a plurality of diaphragm sheets. Each diaphragm sheet has a fixing end connected with the support column and a free end suspended above the cavity. The widths of the diaphragm sheets are gradually increased from the fixing ends to the free ends. According to the piezoelectric MEMS microphone provided by the invention, under sound pressure, the free ends vibrate, wide free ends drive short fixing ends, and the diaphragm sheets close the fixing ends generate greater deformation to generate more charge. Therefore, the sensitivity can be further improved.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are described that include a proof mass movably connected to a substrate by accordion springs disposed on opposite sides of the proof mass, with a coupler coupling two of the accordion springs together. The coupler is a bar in some implementations, and may be rigid. The coupler therefore restricts the motion of the accordion springs relative to each other. In this manner, the motion of the proof mass may be restricted to preferred types and frequencies.