An integrated semiconductor heating assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, a chamber formed therein, and an exit port in fluid communication with the chamber, allowing fluid to exit the chamber in response to heating the chamber. The integrated heating assembly includes a first heating element adjacent the chamber, which can generate heat above a selected threshold and bias fluid in the chamber toward the exit port. A second heating element is positioned adjacent the exit port to generate heat above a selected threshold, facilitating movement of the fluid through the exit port away from the chamber. Addition of the second heating element reduces the amount of heat emitted per heating element and minimizes thickness of a heat absorption material toward an open end of the exit port. Since such material is expensive, this reduces the manufacturing cost and retail price of the assembly while improving efficiency and longevity thereof.

A self-powered piezoelectric energy harvesting microsystem device has CMOS integrated circuit elements, contacts and interconnections formed at a proof mass portion of a die region of a semiconductor wafer. Piezoelectric energy harvesting unit components connected to the integrated circuit elements are formed at a thinned beam portion of the die region that connects the proof mass portion for vibration relative to a surrounding anchor frame portion. A battery provided on the proof mass portion connects to the integrated circuit elements. In a cantilever architectural example, the battery is advantageously located at a distal end of the proof mass portion, opposite the joinder with frame portion via the beam portion.

A MEMS sensor has at least a movable element designed to oscillate at an oscillation frequency, and an integrated measuring system coupled to the movable element to provide a measure of the oscillation frequency. The measuring system has a light source to emit a light beam towards the movable element and a light detector to receive the light beam reflected back from the movable element, including a semiconductor photodiode array. In particular, the light detector is an integrated photomultiplier having an array of single photon avalanche diodes.

An electronic device includes a plurality of layers formed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The SOI substrate includes a support substrate, a buried insulating layer formed on the support substrate, and a silicon layer formed on the buried insulating layer. A membrane structure of the electronic device includes the plurality of layers, the buried insulating later and the silicon layer but does not include the support substrate. A passivation film covers an upper surface and a side surface of the membrane structure.

A wireless circuit includes a housing having at least one opening, and sensor connected to the housing at the opening. The sensor includes a first layer having a first dimension and a second layer having a second dimension shorter than the first dimension. The second layer may be positioned entirely within the housing and a surface of said first layer may be exposed to an exterior of the housing.

A sensor system with a first semiconductor die part and with a second semiconductor die part is proposed, wherein the first semiconductor die part has a microelectromechanical sensor element, wherein the second semiconductor die part covers the microelectromechanical sensor element, wherein the second semiconductor die part has a via for electrically contacting the microelectromechanical sensor element, in particular directly. A method for producing a sensor system is also proposed.

A wireless circuit includes a housing having at least one opening, and sensor connected to the housing at the opening. The sensor includes a first layer having a first dimension and a second layer having a second dimension shorter than the first dimension. The second layer may be positioned entirely within the housing and a surface of said first layer may be exposed to an exterior of the housing.

A sensor system with a first semiconductor die part and with a second semiconductor die part is proposed, wherein the first semiconductor die part has a microelectromechanical sensor element, wherein the second semiconductor die part covers the microelectromechanical sensor element, wherein the second semiconductor die part has a via for electrically contacting the microelectromechanical sensor element, in particular directly. A method for producing a sensor system is also proposed.

A method includes: providing a first substrate on which a plurality of first semiconductor devices is formed; providing a second substrate on which a plurality of second semiconductor devices is formed; and coupling the first and second substrates by contacting respective dummy pads of the first and second substrates, wherein at least one of the dummy pads of the first and second substrates comprises plural peaks and valleys.

A method includes bonding a supporting substrate to a semiconductor substrate of a wafer. A bonding layer is between, and is bonded to both of, the supporting substrate and the semiconductor substrate. A first etching process is performed to etch the supporting substrate and to form an opening, which penetrates through the supporting substrate and stops on the bonding layer. The opening has substantially straight edges. The bonding layer is then etched. A second etching process is performed to extend the opening down into the semiconductor substrate. A bottom portion of the opening is curved.