Patent ID: 7824943

Claim:
A method for use in association with an electromechanical device having a mechanical structure, the method comprising: depositing a sacrificial layer over the mechanical structure; depositing a first encapsulation layer over the sacrificial layer; forming at least one vent through the first encapsulation layer to allow removal of at least a portion of the sacrificial layer; removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer to form the chamber; depositing a second encapsulation layer over or in the vent to seal the chamber; supplying electrical charge to at least one portion of the mechanical structure through an electrical connection disposed in the chamber; and electrically isolating the at least one portion of the mechanical structure while the at least one portion of the mechanical structure remains charged; wherein: electrically isolating the mechanical structure includes irreversibly breaking the electrical connection; supplying electrical charge to the mechanical structure through an electrical connection disposed in the chamber includes supplying electrical charge to the mechanical structure through a fuse disposed in the chamber; breaking the electrical connection includes blowing at least one portion of the fuse; and the micromechanical structure further includes a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the chamber, the fuse includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first end coupled to the first electrode and a second end coupled to the second electrode, the second portion having a first end coupled to the first portion of the fuse and a second end coupled to the mechanical structure, and wherein blowing at least one portion of the fuse includes blowing at least one portion of the first portion of the fuse and blowing at least one portion of the second portion of the fuse.