Development of all metal electrothermal actuator and its applications

Jack K. Luo; J. H. He; Andrew J. Flewitt; David F. Moore; S. Mark Spearing; Norman A. Fleck; William I. Milne

doi:10.1117/1.1898243

1 April 2005 Development of all metal electrothermal actuator and its applications

Jack K. Luo, J. H. He, Andrew J. Flewitt, David F. Moore, S. Mark Spearing, Norman A. Fleck, William I. Milne

Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, Vol. 4, Issue 2, 023012 (April 2005). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1898243

Abstract

The in-plane motion of microelectrothermal actuator ("heatuator") has been analyzed for Si-based and metallic devices. It was found that the lateral deflection of a heatuator made of a Ni metal is about ~60% larger than that of a Si-based actuator under the same power consumption. Metals are much better for thermal actuators as they provide a relatively large deflection and large force, for a low operating temperature and power consumption. Electroplated Ni films were used to fabricate heatuators. The electrical and mechanical properties of electroplated Ni thin films have been investigated as a function of temperature and plating current density, and the process conditions have been optimized to obtain stress-free films suitable for microelectromechanical systems applications. Lateral thermal actuators have been successfully fabricated, and electrically tested. Microswitches and microtweezers utilizing the heatuator have also been fabricated and tested.

©(2005) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Citation Download Citation

Jack K. Luo, J. H. He, Andrew J. Flewitt, David F. Moore, S. Mark Spearing, Norman A. Fleck, and William I. Milne "Development of all metal electrothermal actuator and its applications," Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS 4(2), 023012 (1 April 2005). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1898243

Published: 1 April 2005

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