Microelectromechanical system are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof. Contemplated systems are suitable for μ-ECoG arrays. Additional microelectromechanical systems are disclosed that include at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode comprises a carbon material, a glassy carbon material or a combination thereof; at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is disposed on, coupled with or otherwise layered on the at least one substrate, surface, layer or a combination thereof; and at least one bump pad, wherein the at least one electrode, microelectrode or combination thereof is coupled with the at least one bump pad via at least one conductive metal. A method of making a microelectromechanical system includes patterning a polymer precursor, a carbon-containing material or a combination thereof onto a surface, a substrate, at least one layer or a combination thereof; and heating or pyrolysing the polymer precursor, a carbon-containing material or a combination thereof in order to form a glassy carbon material. Uses of microelectromechanical systems are also contemplated to measure at least one electrical property in a mammal or for electrocorticography.

The present disclosure relates to fluidic systems and devices for processing, extracting, or purifying one or more analytes. These systems and devices can be used for processing samples and extracting nucleic acids, for example by isotachophoresis. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for extraction of nucleic acids, including non-crosslinked nucleic acids, from samples such as tissue or cells. The systems and devices can also be used for multiplex parallel sample processing.

A method for operating an integrated MEMS microphone device is proposed. The integrated MEMS microphone device comprises a package housing enclosing an interior cavity, wherein an integrated MEMS microphone die with a movable membrane, at least one environmental sensor and a thermal decoupling circuit are arranged inside the cavity. The method comprising the steps of repeatedly operating the environmental sensor in a measurement mode and activating the thermal decoupling circuit for a transition phase preceding and/or succeeding the measurement mode of the environmental sensor. During the transition phase a heat dissipation into the cavity is gradually adjusted.

An exemplary microelectromechanical device includes a MEMS layer, portions of which respond to an external force in order to measure the external force. A substrate layer is located below the MEMS layer and an anchor couples the substrate layer and MEMS layer to each other. A plurality of temperature sensors are located within the substrate layer to identify a temperature gradient being experienced by the MEMS device. Compensation is performed or operations of the MEMS device are modified based on temperature gradient.

A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device may be coupled to a dielectric material at an upper planar surface or lower planar surface of the MEMS device. One or more temperature sensors may be attached to the dielectric material layer. Signals from the one or more temperature sensors may be used to determine a thermal gradient along on axis that is normal to the upper planar surface and the lower planar surface. The thermal gradient may be used to compensate for values measured by the MEMS device.

Disclosed are methods for determining and classifying aircraft air contaminants using contaminant analyzers comprising a contaminant collector comprising a membrane and a heater vaporizing captured contaminants; a gravimetric sensor generating a proportionate response when contaminant mass is added to or removed from the sensor, the sensor arranged to receive contaminants desorbed from the membrane when the membrane is heated; a frequency measurement device, measuring the response generated by the sensor as the contaminant is added to and removed from the sensor; a computer readable medium bearing a contaminant recognition program and calibration data; a processor executing the recognition program, the program including a module classifying contaminants by type, and a module using the calibration data for comparison with magnitude of the response generated by the sensor to calculate contaminant concentration; and, a pump, generating flow of aircraft air through the contaminant collector before and after the membrane is heated.

Various embodiments provide for an integrated temperature sensor and microphone package where the temperature sensor is located in, over, or near an acoustic port associated with the microphone. This placement of the temperature sensor near the acoustic port enables the temperature sensor to more accurately determine the ambient air temperature and reduces heat island interference cause by heat associated with the integrated circuit. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor can be a thermocouple formed over a substrate, with the temperature sensing portion of the thermocouple formed over the acoustic port. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor can be formed on an application specific integrated circuit that extends into or over the acoustic port. In another embodiment, a thermally conductive channel in a substrate can be placed near the acoustic port to enable the temperature sensor to determine the ambient temperature via the channel.

A MEMS apparatus with heater includes central part, periphery part, gap and first connecting part. Central part includes center of mass, heater and first joint. Heater is disposed inside central part. First joint is located on boundary of central part. Displacement of first joint is produced when central part is heated by heater. Periphery part surrounds central part. Gap surrounds central part, and is located between central part and periphery part. First connecting part connects central part and periphery part along first reference line and includes first inner connecting portion and first outer connecting portion. First inner connecting portion is connected to first joint. First outer connecting portion is connected to periphery part. First reference line passes through first joint, and first reference line is not parallel to line connecting center of mass and first joint.

Described herein are methods and systems for configuring sensors to compensate for a temperature gradient. Multiple sensor sets, each having at least two sensors of a same type with orthogonal axes, are positioned to form at least one opposing sensor pair, in which an axis of one sensor of one sensor set is in an opposite orientation to an axis of one sensor of another sensor set. A combined measurement of each opposing sensor pair may be output which is compensated for an effect of a temperature gradient on sensor measurements of the sensors

The present disclosure relates to fluidic systems and devices for processing, extracting, or purifying one or more analytes. These systems and devices can be used for processing samples and extracting nucleic acids, for example by isotachophoresis. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for extraction of nucleic acids, including non-crosslinked nucleic acids, from samples such as tissue or cells. The systems and devices can also be used for multiplex parallel sample processing.