MEMS and Microstructures in Aerospace Applications

MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and the Microstructures that can be built from them offer significant potential for operation in both air and space craft. In these applications, weight is expensive, absolute reliability is mandatory, and while cost is always a consideration, it is subordinate to the first two criteria. MEMS devices have reached the point where they are beginning to be used in every day assemblies such as wrist watches and air bag accelerometers. At this time a series of MEMS have been flown in orbital and sub-orbital flights. This book is both a report on what has been done and a projection of what may be expected in the next 10-20 years. The three editors are all at John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and have worked extensively in MEMS projects for many years. Individual chapters in the book represent a Who's Who of the field from laboratories all over the United States. Each of the chapters in the book typically discuss one aspect of a MEMS: micro thrusters, shutters, communications devices, instrumentation, sensors of various types, and much more. This is the first book I've seen that presents such a rounded and complete overview of the field.