Patent ID: 7483285

Claim:
A structure, comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) a first electrode region and a second electrode region on the substrate; (c) a third electrode region disposed between the first and second electrode regions, wherein, there exists a first write voltage potential such that in response to the first write voltage potential being applied between the first and third electrode regions, the third electrode region changes its own shape, such that in response to a pre-specified read voltage potential being subsequently applied between the first and third electrode regions, a sensing current flows between the first and third electrode regions, wherein, there exists a second write voltage potential such that in response to the second write voltage potential being applied between the second and third electrode regions, the third electrode region changes its own shape such that in response to the pre-specified read voltage potential being applied between the first and third electrode regions, said sensing current does not flow between the first and third electrode regions, wherein there exists a force such that in response to the force being applied to the third electrode region, the third electrode region changes its own shape and subsequently retains its changed shape even if the force is no longer present; (d) a tunneling dielectric layer disposed between the first and third electrode regions, wherein in response to the first write voltage potential being applied between the first and third electrode regions, the tunneling dielectric layer prevents the third electrode from coming into direct physical contact with the first electrode region, and wherein said sensing current flows between the first and third electrode regions through the tunneling dielectric layer; and (e) a sensing circuit configured to sense said sensing current.