What does your smartphone have in common with your air conditioner? The answer is Microelectromechanical systems or MEMS, a technology that links microscopic devices with computers. These systems are used in numerous applications, from vehicle airbags to inkjet printer heads.
MEMs can vary in size ranging from a micron (a single strand of hair is between 50 and 150 microns) to several millimeters. MEMS can also come in various shapes and forms ranging from a simple device with no moving parts to complicated electromechanical systems that can fit on the tip of a pin.
The system is composed of both electrical and mechanical elements. The electric components process data while the mechanical elements work in response to physical parameters like pressure and temperature.
The devices are broadly divided into two major categories: sensors and actuators. Sensors gather information from their surroundings while actuators perform actions in response to specific commands. There are also referred to as microsensors and microactuators due to its tiny size.
As a result of their highly miniaturized size and low production cost, MEMS are expected to be one one of the elements that drive trends like the Internet of Things.
