A Brief Introduction to MEMS and NEMS

Abstract

The expanding and developing fields of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and nano-electromechanical (NEMS) are highly interdisciplinary and rely heavily on experimental mechanics for materials selection, process validation, design development, and device characterization. These devices range from mechanical sensors and actuators, to microanalysis and chemical sensors, to micro-optical systems and bioMEMS for microscopic surgery. Their applications span the automotive industry, communications, defense systems, national security, health care, information technology, avionics, and environmental monitoring. This chapter gives a general introduction to the fabrication processes and materials commonly used in MEMS/NEMS, as well as a discussion of the application of experimental mechanics techniques to these devices. Mechanics issues that arise in selected example devices are also presented.