Caltech Micromachining Laboratory Selective Disposition of Parylene-C for Underwater Shear-Stress Sensors

Project Abstract

The deposition rate of parylene varies with the temperature of substrates. This property is utilized to selectively deposit parylene C on underwater shear-stress sensors by electrically heating the sensing element during deposition. Due to the sensor’s excellent thermal isolation, only very small power is needed and the substrate temperature increase is minimized during deposition. After selective parylene deposition, the sensing element is still exposed while other areas are covered by parylene. More effective interaction between the sensor and water is realized. With selective parylene deposition, excellent waterproof and high shear-stress sensitivity can be achieved at the same time.

References

Y. Xu and Y.C. Tai,"Selective Deposition of Parylene C for Underwater Shear-stress Sensors," Technical Digest, The 12th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems (Transducers '03), Boston, USA, pp. 1307-1310 (2003).

Involved Personnel

Yong Xu, Yu-Chong Tai