Patent ID: 7256670

Claim:
A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch comprising: a cavity ( 25 ); at least one conductive path ( 20 ) integral to a first surface surrounding said cavity; a flexible membrane ( 60 ) parallel to said first surface surrounding said cavity ( 25 ), said flexible membrane ( 60 ) having a plurality of conductive vias ( 69 ) and a plurality of actuating electrodes ( 70 ) attached thereto; and a dielectric plunger ( 40 ) attached to said flexible membrane ( 60 ) in a direction away from said actuating electrodes ( 70 ), said dielectric plunger ( 40 ) having at least one conductive surface to make electrical contact with said at least one conductive path ( 20 ), wherein each of said actuating electrodes ( 70 ) is energized by a DC voltage of opposite polarity to the DC voltage of said adjoining actuating electrodes ( 70 ).