In a method of an embodiment, a pressure sensor is selected from first and second pressure sensors according to a set flow rate. A measurable maximum pressure of the second pressure sensor is higher than a measurable maximum pressure of first pressure sensor. The target pressure of a chamber is determined according to the set flow rate. Until the pressure of the chamber reaches the target pressure after gas is started to be output from the flow rate controller to the chamber at an output flow rate according to the set flow rate and a pressure controller provided between the chamber and an exhaust apparatus is closed, the pressure of the chamber is measured by the selected pressure sensor. The output flow rate of the flow rate controller is determined from a rate of rise of the pressure of the chamber.

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) beam structure by venting both tungsten material and silicon material above and below the MEMS beam to form an upper cavity above the MEMS beam and a lower cavity structure below the MEMS beam.

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) beam structure by venting both tungsten material and silicon material above and below the MEMS beam to form an upper cavity above the MEMS beam and a lower cavity structure below the MEMS beam.

Disclosed herein an inertial sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. An inertial sensor 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a plate-shaped membrane 110, a mass body 120 that includes an adhesive part 123 disposed under a central portion 113 of the membrane 110 and provided at the central portion thereof and a patterning part 125 provided at an outer side of the adhesive part 123 and patterned to vertically penetrate therethrough, and a first adhesive layer 130 that is formed between the membrane 110 and the adhesive part 123 and is provided at an inner side of the patterning part 125. An area of the first adhesive layer 130 is narrow by isotropic etching using the patterning part 125 as a mask, thereby making it possible to improve sensitivity of the inertial sensor 100.

A resin composition for forming a phase-separated structure includes a block copolymer having a block (b1) having a repeating structure of styrene units; a block (b2) having a repeating structure of methyl methacrylate units partially substituted with a constituent unit represented by general formula (h1); and a number average molecular weight of less than 28,000. In general formula (h1), R.sup.h0 is a hydrophilic functional group.

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A MEMS sensor with improved overload resistance for metrological registering of a measured variable comprises a plurality of layers, especially silicon layers, arranged on one another. The layers include at least one inner layer, which is arranged between a first layer and a second layer, and in the inner layer there is provided extending perpendicularly to the plane of the inner layer through the inner layer at least one cavity, on which borders externally at least sectionally and forming a connecting element, a region of the inner layer, which is connected with the first layer and the second layer. A lateral surface of the connecting element externally at least sectionally bordering the cavity has in an end region facing the first layer a rounding decreasing the cross sectional area of the cavity in the direction of the first layer, and has in an end region facing the second layer a rounding decreasing the cross sectional area of the cavity in the direction of the second layer.

Illustrative embodiments of microdevices and methods of manufacturing such microdevices are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, one or more microdevices may be formed on a substrate, with each of the one or more microdevices comprising a body micromachined from a continuous film formed on the substrate, the continuous film having a controlled microstructure of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC).

Disclosed is an ultrasonic transducer that is provided with: a bottom electrode; an electric connection part which is connected to the bottom electrode from the bottom of the bottom electrode; a first insulating film which is formed so as to cover the bottom electrode; a cavity which is formed on the first insulating film so as to overlap the bottom electrode when seen from above; a second insulating film which is formed so as to cover the cavity; and a top electrode which is formed on the second insulating film so as to overlap the cavity when seen from above. The electric connection part to the bottom electrode is positioned so as to not overlap the cavity when seen from above.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a first emitter/collector region and a second emitter/collector region disposed in a substrate. The first emitter/collector region has a first edge/tip, and the second emitter/collector region has a second edge/tip. A gap separates the first edge/tip from the second edge/tip. The first emitter/collector region, the second emitter/collector region, and the gap form a field emission device.

A process for fabricating a symmetrical MEMS accelerometer. A pair of half parts is fabricated by, for each half part: (i) forming a plurality of resilient beams, first connecting parts, second connecting parts, and a plurality of comb structures, by etching a plurality of holes on a bottom surface of a first silicon wafer; (ii) etching a plurality of hollowed parts on a top surface of a second silicon wafer; (iii) forming a silicon dioxide layer on the top and bottom surface of the second silicon wafer; (iv) bonding the bottom surface of the first silicon wafer with the top surface of the second silicon wafer; (v) depositing a layer of silicon nitride on the bottom surface of the second silicon wafer, and removing parts of the silicon nitride layer and silicon dioxide layer on the bottom surface of the second silicon wafer; (vii) deep etching the exposed parts of the bottom surface of the second silicon wafer to the silicon dioxide layer located on the top surface of the second silicon wafer, and reducing the thickness of the first silicon wafer; and (viii) removing the silicon nitride layer, and etching the silicon dioxide to form the mass. The two half parts are then bonded along their bottom surface. The device is deep etched to form a movable accelerometer. A bottom cap is fabricated by hollowing out the corresponding area, and depositing metal as electrodes. The accelerometer is bonded with the bottom cap. Metal is deposited on the first silicon wafer to form electrodes.