Patent ID: 7927905
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: B81B,B81C,B82Y

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a microspring having an in situ grown tip, comprising: depositing over a substrate a sacrificial release layer; depositing over said sacrificial release layer a stress-engineered layer in a first plane; patterning said stress-engineered layer to define a first region in said first plane comprising a microspring body, said microspring body including an anchor portion and a tip portion, and further to define a first region proximate said tip portion and a second region separated from said microspring body and opposite said first region such that there is a gap between a first region and said second region; growing a nanowire between and attached at its ends to said first region and said second region, respectively, said nanowire extending longitudinally in said first plane; cutting said nanowire after growth such that a first end remains attached to said first region and said second end is separated proximate said second region, said nanowire thereby extending from said first region in said first plane to a desired length; and removing a portion of said sacrificial release layer located under at least said tip portion of said microspring body such that stress within said stress-engineered layer causes said tip portion, with said nanowire, to curve out of said first plane, while said anchor portion remains attached over said substrate.