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One of the basic technologies for miniaturising sensors is micromechanics, often called MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System). Production technology in this field comes from the electronics industry where thousands of identical structures are generated simultaneously with photographic methods. This method is called photolithography and it can be applied with a precision better than a thousandth of a millimetre. In the same way the electronics industry manufactures transistors, Imego manufactures mechanical structures comprising sensors. The low price per unit in mass production depends on producing thousands of sensors simultaneously with the same photolithography, thus sharing production costs. As with electronics production, silicon is the dominant material in micromechanical production. Silicon has fantastic semi-conducting properties and therefore the mechanics are often combined with electronic functions that adjust the sensor signal to the other electronics. The material also has excellent mechanical properties because of its purity and perfect crystal structure. It is lighter than aluminium and stronger than steel and does not wear out either since it is not fatigued and never suffers from remaining deformation. Miniaturising the laws of physics to a scale that is favourable to the sensor properties is essential. By doing so, we create automatic access to the ant's enormous strength and the spider thread's strength. At the same time, the small distances involved mean that reaction times becomes extremely short. Heating and cooling processes can happen in microseconds. The concept is used in inkjet printers where ink is boiled to create a pixel. Furthermore, chemical reactions speed up greatly and can take place in milliseconds, which means that entire analyses can be completed in seconds or minutes in a microscopic environment. Since the micro systems are small, they are also affected by the presence of small particles, for example molecules, and are therefore a good platform for the analysis of everything from nerve gases to DNA. Here, micro technology is combined with nanotechnology providing access to many new applications. Magnetic nanoparticles that change their motion when a molecule is bound or polymers with molecular imprints (MIP micro imprinted polymer) that change their mechanical properties in the presence of a special molecule are two highly interesting technologies. Imego has developed micro technology based sensor systems for a wide variety of applications. These include: Reliable measurement of harmful doses of sun radiation. Precise mapping of deep drill holes in the mining industry. Quick diagnosis of prostate cancer. Surveying stick also useful in GPS shadows. Wireless moisture measurements in enclosed rooms. Wireless motion measurements and motion characterisation without an external reference system for miscellaneous objects (cars, crash dummies, etc). Optical mapping of the form of large and small objects. …and a large number of new systems to be developed in the future according to our customers' requests.
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