# posted by ron @ 3/30/2005 12:40:00 PM
I actually have chips in my lab right now with these structures on them. its called a comb drive, a type of linear actuator. think about two combs with the teeth from either comb interlocking and moving back and forth due to electrostatic forces. they cant touch however, ZAP (unless insulated). this is exactly how the accelerometer for the airbag sensor on your car works. big hit= moving combs, we can calculate the acceleration due to the impact and if its over a certain value, BAM air bag goes pop! all in a few microseconds. how ya like them apples?
comb drive
woah...