29.10.2014 change 29.10.2014

Tiny MOEMS go to work

Photo: Fotolia Photo: Fotolia

They are tiny, but they will still help to improve the world of technology. Structures called MOEMS will be used to build sensors that monitor blood sugar levels, detect hazardous materials at airports and build new types of computer memory. Researchers at the Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials CEZAMAT will work on their development.

Structures called MOEMS (Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems) are complex, miniaturized optical and electro-mechanical devices, produced mostly based on silicon. Their sizes range from one to one hundred microns, or from 0.001 to 0.1 mm.

"The main advantage of MOEMS-type systems is that they are easier to integrate into larger systems or devices. Moreover, they consume little power, are low weight and cheaper to operate" - informed the Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials in a release sent to PAP.

Combining three fields: optics, electronics and mechanics, MOEMS help in the implementation of new tasks and provide many innovative solutions. Today they are used in fields including medicine, ecology, telecommunications, transportation and information systems. Among the commonly used devices using this technology are: smartphones, mobile phones, laptops, control systems, sensors and chemical analysers.

But scientists are yet to face the biggest challenges. In a few years, daily life can be revolutionized by the internet of things, that is, objects communicating with each other without human intervention via a computer network.

"MOEMS are an important part of this type of systems. Scope of the applicability of microelectrical systems includes telecommunication, information and communication devices, household appliances, street lighting, smart homes. Internet of things as a non-personalised computer system can also be used in the creation of intelligent biomedical devices, such as contamination sensors or anti-allergen systems, allowing to inform the patient about the level of concentration of the allergen, or release the appropriate dose of the drug in his body" - reads the CEZAMAT release.

MOEMS can also adjust the temperature of clothing or apartment. Properly built, they also allow for automatic control of vehicles, helping to improve traffic flow and reduce the number of collisions. Improving these devices will be one of the tasks of researchers working at the Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials.

"The main areas of our research will focus not only on developing new MOEMS, allowing to expand their range of application, but also on improving the existing microsystems with already known and used functionalities. To this end, we will search for new materials with unique properties" - said CEZAMAT Vice President for Scientific Affairs, Prof. Romuald Beck.

Possibilities for MOEMS technology application in CEZAMAT include many areas such as energy, environment, telecommunications, transportation, food, information, security. "As required, MOEMS can be used in photovoltaics, photonics, energy. Optical mictocircuits can also be used for the production of sensors needed to monitor levels of sugar and other substances present in the body and communicating their levels to the patient and his doctor via smartphone" - explain the CEZAMAT representatives.

MOEMS technology will also allow to develop tools for working in high power and high temperature systems. In the future, it could allow to improve hybrid cars and automatic control systems of motor vehicles. It will also be possible to develop new types of computer memory and a variety of printing techniques. MOEMS will be used in the detection of hazardous materials at airports, shops and in public space.

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