Patent · US Active

Electro-mechanical switches and methods of use thereof

US8441081B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by

3References

15Claims

0Family size

Inventors

William J. Arora · Bellevue, US
Karen K. Gleason · Cambridge, US
George Barbastathis · Boston, US
Wyatt E. Tenhaeff · Rochester, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jul 22, 2009
Grant date	May 14, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 1, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T436/173845
WIPO fieldMeasurement
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to an ultrathin micro-electromechanical chemical sensing device which uses swelling or straining of a reactive organic material for sensing. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a contact on-off switch chemical sensor. For example, the device can comprises a small gap separating two electrodes, wherein the gap can be closed as a result of the swelling or stressing of an organic polymer coating on one or both sides of the gap. In certain embodiments, the swelling or stressing is due to the organic polymer reacting with a target analyte.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.