microengineering
Building extremely small
Microengineering is the design and manufacture of extremely small mechanical devices and systems, typically at scales measured in micrometers.
The field bridges traditional engineering and nanotechnology, producing components for medical implants, sensors, and precision instruments: Microengineering techniques made the miniaturized accelerometers in smartphones possible.
Manufacturing miniature structures precisely
- photolithographyLight-transfers patterns onto silicon
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- cleanroomParticle-free manufacturing space
wafer · substrate · patterning · thin-film · sputtering · nanofabrication · mask · resist
Millionth of a meter
- submillimeterLess than one millimeter
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
dimensional · resolution · accuracy · nanoscale · aspect ratio · scaling · shrinkage · microstructure
Metalloid in electronics
- polysiliconMulti-crystal semiconductor material
- PDMSSilicone oil polymer
- nitrideNitrogen-element binary compound
- oxideOxygen-bonded compound
polymer · glass · quartz · titanium · gold · platinum · nickel · chromium
Device producing controlled motion
- sensorInput-detecting device
- accelerometerDevice measuring motion forces
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- cantileverBeam supported one end
microsensor · resonator · micropump · pressure sensor · inertial · microswitch · transducer · piezoelectric
Submillimeter puncturing device
- biosensorBiological chemical detection device
- microelectrodeMinuscule electrical probe
- cochlearOf the spiral ear cavity
- pacemakerDevice regulating heartbeat
drug delivery · stent · glucose sensor · microrobot · catheter · surgical instrument · implantable · point-of-care
microfabrication
Manufacturing miniature structures precisely
- photolithographyLight-transfers patterns onto silicon
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
cleanroom · wafer · substrate · patterning · thin-film · sputtering · nanofabrication · mask · resist · doping
micron
Millionth of a meter
- submillimeterLess than one millimeter
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
tolerance · dimensional · resolution · accuracy · nanoscale · aspect ratio · scaling · shrinkage · microstructure · high-density
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
- polysiliconMulti-crystal semiconductor material
- PDMSSilicone oil polymer
- nitrideNitrogen-element binary compound
oxide · polymer · glass · quartz · titanium · gold · platinum · nickel · chromium · hydrogel
actuator
Device producing controlled motion
- sensorInput-detecting device
- accelerometerDevice measuring motion forces
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
cantilever · microsensor · resonator · micropump · pressure sensor · inertial · microswitch · transducer · piezoelectric · capacitive
microneedle
Submillimeter puncturing device
- biosensorBiological chemical detection device
- microelectrodeMinuscule electrical probe
- cochlearOf the spiral ear cavity
pacemaker · drug delivery · stent · glucose sensor · microrobot · catheter · surgical instrument · implantable · point-of-care · blood analysis
microengineeringcivil engineering
Public structure construction field
structural engineering · shipbuilding · aerospace engineering · building construction · industrial engineering
engineer, engineering, micro, microscopic, engineers, engineered, microcosm, micrometer, microbial