Patent ID: 7935191

Claim:
A method for controlling accumulation of material on a piezoelectric cantilever sensor, the method comprising: exposing at least one portion of the piezoelectric cantilever sensor to a medium, wherein the piezoelectric cantilever sensor comprises: a piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end; a base portion coupled to the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer; a non-piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end, wherein: at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to at least a portion of the non-piezoelectric layer such that the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer are not coextensive; and the base portion is not attached to the non-piezoelectric layer; and applying mechanical energy to at least one of the medium or the piezoelectric cantilever sensor during exposure of the piezoelectric cantilever sensor to the medium, wherein application of the mechanical energy results in at least one of: removal of at least a portion of material accumulated on said piezoelectric cantilever sensor; or prevention of accumulation of material potentially contained in the medium on the piezoelectric cantilever sensor.