The ingenious micro-mechanisms inside your phone

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2024
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    ======================
    How does your phone track its position in space? MEMS devices! Phones use small micro mechanical chips called MEMS, to monitor accelerations and rotations. These are fabricated using semiconductor technology, but are tiny little moving mechanisms.
    Today we're decapping a six axis IMU (MPU-6050, on a GY-521 breakout board, containing three accelerometers and three gyroscopes), looking at it under the SEM, printing up some models, doing some high speed video recording, and talking about how these little MEMS devices work.
    CAD/STL models (fair warning, it's a very challenging print!): www.printables.com/model/4136...
    🚨 UPDATE! 🚨
    A paper about this exact mechanism has been shared with me: transducer-research-foundatio...
    Turns out some of my extrapolation was incorrect, whoops! The general principles hold, but the drive and sense directions are flipped in the X/Y gyros.
    === Timeline ===
    0:00 MEMS devices
    1:40 Decapping
    3:13 Tracing and 3D printing
    3:52 Material Properties
    4:37 Accelerometers (Z)
    6:30 High speed footage
    9:05 Accelerometers (X and Y)
    11:04 Gyroscopes (X and Y)
    15:23 Gyroscopes (Z)
    16:52 Keysight Gear Giveaway
    18:17 More SEM footage!
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ความคิดเห็น • 1.9K

  • @BreakingTaps
    @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +1228

    🚨Correction!
    A paper about this exact mechanism has been shared with me: transducer-research-foundation.org/technical_digests/HiltonHead_2010/hh2010_0061.pdf The X/Y gyros had two plausible explanations, and I picked the wrong one 🤦‍♀ The general principles hold, but the drive and sense directions are flipped in the X/Y gyros. I.e. the drive direction is up/down, and sense is left/right in-plane.
    🚨Correction!
    At 6:00 I misattributed some of forces involved. @StadtlerHM sent me this correction in private, but I thought it warranted being pinned so more folks could read it!
    > "So when you drop your device and there is a downwards acceleration, the frame of the mems device will move down, and because the [proof mass] is decoupled from the rest of [the frame], it will attempt to stay where it is by moving upwards."
    This is true for how the phone detects acceleration to the phone by any force that acts on the frame, but not the proof mass. Gravity however acts just as much on the frame as it does on the proof mass, and as such there will be no difference in acceleration from gravity between the frame and proof mass. An accelerometer therefore can not detect acceleration from gravity when accelerating when in freefall.
    Instead, when the phone is stationary, the proof mass will hang low, being pulled down by gravity, with the flexion joint pulling it upwards to keep it stationary. When the phone is dropped, the spring force remains, but the gravitational force now acts equally on the frame and proof mass, causing the accelerometer to detect no apparent acceleration from gravity. Because the spring force is pulling the proof mass upwards, it will be pushed upwards relative to the frame, causing it to appear to stay stationary, and "lag" behind the frame in the fall.
    In short, the reason the proof mass stays stationary is due to the force from the flexion joint, not because of inertia causing it to "move up". Both the phone frame and proof mass have inertia, and both are affected just as much by gravity.
    The spring force on the proof mass acts as a spring that's bent and released, accelerating it upwards and starting to oscillate. This is why your test shows the proof mass "lagging" behind the frame when first dropped, then subsequently starting to oscillate.
    Thanks @StadtlerHM!

    • @MordecaiV
      @MordecaiV ปีที่แล้ว +73

      Thanks for pinning this, it was really bothering me! Plus, you can actually see the z axis gravity in your print! At rest, the proof masses are sagging down, because they are being accelerated by gravity!

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +83

      ​@@MordecaiV Yeah, I blame the gyroscopes for this big goof on my part 😅The gyros don't work quite like a "textbook" gyro, so I spent a lot of time and energy figuring out how they operated, and mostly ignored the accelerometers since they were simple and I knew the basics already. Should have spent more time vetting that part of the video since whoops, flubbed the explanation 🙃
      Also funny because prior to filming, I had to twist the gyros a bit to get them more level... the plastic had deformed and creeped due to gravity and sitting around. Foreshadowing haha!

    • @triffid0hunter
      @triffid0hunter ปีที่แล้ว +49

      This seems like a really complicated way to say that "being stationary relative to Earth's surface is mathematically equivalent (regardless of sensor type) to constantly accelerating _upwards_ at 1G, and if the phone is dropped then the acceleration changes to 0 in all 3 axes since it's now following an inertial geodesic - ie a straight line in curved spacetime" :P

    • @Jehty21
      @Jehty21 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Thank you both for this correction.
      I was really struggling to fit your explanation in this video with my understanding of physics. 👍

    • @graealex
      @graealex ปีที่แล้ว +16

      My first thought when you showed the phone being dropped - because that's basically the only time none of linear sensors are detecting any forces at all.
      It's also an important property, because that's how the phone knows where "down" is, without the inherent drift of gyroscopes.

  • @HuygensOptics
    @HuygensOptics ปีที่แล้ว +1882

    Wow Zach, this is the next level in explainer videos. Absolutely fantastic! I think that making the models that you can actually take apart and interact with added a lot of educational value!

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +63

      Thanks Jeroen! Was a lot of fun (and work!) to assemble this one. Definitely glad I went through with tracing and printing the devices, there were a few sections that moved in a manner that I didn't expect just from looking at the 2D image. The gyros in particular were a bit unexpected

    • @ThomasBoelskifte
      @ThomasBoelskifte ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yes, it was absolutely incredible Zach, thank you so much ❤

    • @HerrSalat
      @HerrSalat ปีที่แล้ว +5

      teachers and professors should use those prints for explanation!

    • @natywubet2175
      @natywubet2175 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Hey huygens optics. I really really love your channel and your way of teaching, your way of seeing at things and approaching problems. Really helped me to step up my learning ability also had a lot to learn from you so thank you from the bottom of my heart

    • @SHAFIulBARI
      @SHAFIulBARI ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I agree, this is absolutely brilliant

  • @leorbuis9024
    @leorbuis9024 ปีที่แล้ว +520

    Don't think for a minute that your subscribers aren't fully aware of just how much time and effort and work you're willing to put into a single episode. There aren't many TH-cam content providers that are willing to put the work into a single episode as you are so I just wanted to say thanks, it's impressive and much appreciated. You deserve far more subscribers than you currently have and I believe that if you continue to produce episodes of this quality, your subscriber numbers will grow pretty quickly. Thanks again.

    • @sbalogh53
      @sbalogh53 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I really cannot understand why there are a few hundred down votes in this video. What is there to not like about it?

    • @HAL-zh1kf
      @HAL-zh1kf ปีที่แล้ว +3

      This was the first thing I was aware of. To construct a 3D-printed model of a microlithographic circuit is beyond comprehension.

    • @GospodinJean
      @GospodinJean ปีที่แล้ว

      U was thinking the same

    • @GuardianTiger
      @GuardianTiger 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Not subscribers... VIEWS. That's how you get money which helps him more but subscribers are great too

    • @JasonAStillman
      @JasonAStillman 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The work is exactly why I just subscribed. ;)

  • @Gorialis
    @Gorialis ปีที่แล้ว +201

    The quality here cannot be understated. I was already impressed just with the diagram, and then to make a *working* 3D print AND test and graph it just blew me away. A truly new standard of explanation.

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Thanks! 🥰

    • @JaredBrewerAerospace
      @JaredBrewerAerospace 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      This is the definition of high quality content. I work on MEMS devices used in satellites and space probes that detect accelerations in microgravity. We have some extra complications when you are working without earth's gravity to exaggerate these movements by 5-6 orders of magnitude. They are known as zero-force accelerometers and we have to read shifts in ionization energy driven by movements in a localized reference frame. Still seeing this demonstrated in the way that he does is eye opening for me. It is pure, simple, effective and elegant. He is dead-on and I applaud his execution. Instant sub from me, I look forward to more.

  • @lynxlagoon
    @lynxlagoon ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Men will literally 3D print life sized MEMS devices instead of going to therapy

    • @pyropulseIXXI
      @pyropulseIXXI 21 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      Life sized? Lmao

    • @ryanreedgibson
      @ryanreedgibson 17 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      What's therapy?

    • @fanofthemika
      @fanofthemika 14 วันที่ผ่านมา

      How are these things mutually exclusive?

  • @unknownhours
    @unknownhours ปีที่แล้ว +184

    This is the best MEMs accel/gyro video I've seen

  • @slabriprock5329
    @slabriprock5329 ปีที่แล้ว +125

    I am completely blown away by the quality of this episode (my first) and the fantastic models you made to illustrate something that has mystified me for many years. All my web searches over the years never turned up an explanation/demonstration that could help me understand how these devices work. Thanks so much for all the time and thought you obviously put into it. If there is an award for work like this it’s hard to imagine a more deserving creator.

  • @LelandMaurello
    @LelandMaurello ปีที่แล้ว +41

    This is totally fascinating! YES, the big models did help in showing how the mechanisms work. And the thing is, while in theory this is not that complicated - making all those 'tiny' sized components to detect all of this - I'm just blown away. Thank you!

  • @natalie5947
    @natalie5947 ปีที่แล้ว +274

    Modeling and printing the MEMS devices was absolutely brilliant and elevated this video to top tier. Well done, it was definitely worth the time spent making it in my opinion.

  • @izzieb
    @izzieb ปีที่แล้ว +352

    MEMS devices are amazing. I don't think people realise how many applications they have - from printers and projectors, to accelerometers and barometers. That's just a few possible applications.
    Also, Bambu Lab crew!

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +18

      That printer is like a cheat code! Works so well, can't imagine printing these things up without it!

    • @graealex
      @graealex ปีที่แล้ว +11

      The important application are actually cars, in particular the Airbag Control Unit. That was the initial driver for MEMS development.

    • @vaheakli4551
      @vaheakli4551 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      there is a microspectrometr made out of mems, thats hilarious

    • @oliverer3
      @oliverer3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      ​@@BreakingTaps Speaking of printers and MEMS... piezoelectric inkjet printheads are mems devices that look pretty cool under a microscope if you're ever bored. (Just be smarter than me and realize that if you want look at a think while it's shooting in everywhere maybe covering things up a bit...)

    • @TheCoffeeSquirel
      @TheCoffeeSquirel ปีที่แล้ว

      I tried a MEMS with a magnetometer to use as a compass for a observatory dome, but failed as the dome and high altitudes made southern headings not readable. Might revisit sometime later though :D

  • @gordondick9100
    @gordondick9100 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Absolutely excellent job explaining MEMS. You went to a lot of work building those models, worth the effort in my opinion.

  • @andreiandrei53
    @andreiandrei53 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Increbile how such a small mechanism can be integrated in a ridiculously small chip giving precise result and with such a low cost! Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you for sharing! 😁

  • @rdkilla6414
    @rdkilla6414 ปีที่แล้ว +225

    silicon is extremely flexible when it is thinned. i once had a wafer that was overetched (to the point equipment could no longer handle the sharp edges). I suspect it was 40 microns thick(they start around 800 microns thick), but didn't get a measurement. It was 8" diameter wafer and was able to grab it and fold it in half so it was touching itself like a taco. it just flexed back to flat after. its hard to believe a single crystal could be so flexible but it also does teach a lesson about how stress works.

    • @advorak8529
      @advorak8529 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Chemistry class. Working with glass and Bunsen burners, as often enough you need to change your glass containers for special purposes.
      For fun I drew out a glas rod as long as I could and ended up with a rather springy, long, thin ‘hair’ of a tail … glass is not flexing? Just make it thin enough!

    • @The.Heart.Unceasing
      @The.Heart.Unceasing ปีที่แล้ว +16

      @@advorak8529 I mean, how do you think fiber optic cables works ?

    • @advorak8529
      @advorak8529 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@The.Heart.Unceasing Total internal reflection? Pretty sure that how it works. Well, not really, there are photonic crystal fibres ...

    • @The.Heart.Unceasing
      @The.Heart.Unceasing ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @@advorak8529 nah I meant the bendyness of the glass fibers inside ^^

    • @codysergeant1486
      @codysergeant1486 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      🤓

  • @luanskrelja232
    @luanskrelja232 ปีที่แล้ว +360

    The amount of work you put into recreating and printing those is really appreciated it looks amazing

  • @BakerSTEMLab
    @BakerSTEMLab 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I'm an elementary STEM Lab teacher and I love your use of larger 3D printed models to explain how the accelerometers and gyroscopes work. Brilliant idea! And your explanation is equally easy to follow. Well done!!!

  • @jonrutherford6852
    @jonrutherford6852 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Your generosity in sharing knowledge with complete strangers, for the love of science and learning, is what science in its purest form has always been about. Many thanks.

  • @Loafcat
    @Loafcat ปีที่แล้ว +59

    It's absolutely crazy to think we have sensors that are able to detect such small forces.

  • @mattfleming86
    @mattfleming86 ปีที่แล้ว +67

    Outstanding!
    Many in the comments are pointing out "corrections"
    The fact that you modeled this so beautifully that understanding it is INTUITIVE for most everyone, and to the point where we can critique your every word with that deep understanding is... amazing. You can see it flexing and moving and it just makes sense. Wow.

  • @NickC84
    @NickC84 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Okay, I have to say, I knew how MEMS devices work and accelerometers and gyroscopes and stuff. I've even seen the pictures of the internal structure. That being said.. Your level of detail and visualization is freakin AWESOME. Amazing job with every bit of this.

    • @CallistoPili
      @CallistoPili 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah, pretty awesome the 3d printer parts, I tried as well times ago with bad luck becuse the fine details, then he said "one week" printing and I understood.

  • @ericfielding2540
    @ericfielding2540 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Your physical models are incredibly helpful to understand what the devices are doing. I had no idea that a tuning fork can be the main part of a gyroscope. That is a huge advantage over the spinning wheels method for making it microscopic.

  • @dapje2002
    @dapje2002 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Making a blow-up of the MEMS is a boss move! Thanks for putting so much effort in this awesome video

  • @Ste_Brit
    @Ste_Brit ปีที่แล้ว +112

    You seem to go above and beyond to help us understand things. I only recently came across your channel. I think TH-cam recommended one of your shorts. I watched it and then went flicking through your catalog of videos. It’s some reason good educational content and I love learning. Thanks 😊👍

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Thanks for watching! ♥

  • @noahbar-shain4218
    @noahbar-shain4218 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This is an insane physical model! Thank you for taking the time to create it and explain it to us all

  • @redcrossing4292
    @redcrossing4292 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That's really cool. I greatly appreciate your style of informing/teaching Zach. Thank you for your & everyone behind the scenes hard work bringing us the content. I look forward to the next notification from your channel 👍

  • @Benlucky13
    @Benlucky13 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    serious props for manually tracing out those mems, really helps seeing how they function with a model that can move instead of just still images

  • @looppp
    @looppp ปีที่แล้ว +143

    I just found this channel and WOW! The fact that you made physical models to explain these complex concepts and devices
    Absolutely amazing
    You are a true engineer and extremely effective teacher!

  • @4dirt2racer0
    @4dirt2racer0 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    around 4:35, not just that they can do it, but how good they r at it, im still consistently blown away at how accurate n repeatable parts r

  • @BennettDaniel
    @BennettDaniel 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I stumbled on this video while just looking for something to watch, and it caught my attention. I wasn't searching to learn about any of this but ended up learning far more than I expected to. I'm blown away by the work put into the 3D models and the easy to understand way it was all put. Amazing video!

  • @chriskaprys
    @chriskaprys ปีที่แล้ว +42

    I've always wondered how this actually works on the microscopic level. No better person to learn from.
    Really appreciate your work and the calmly-grounded-yet-awe-inspiring way you present it.
    It's clear in each of your videos that untold hours of curiosity, experimentation, frustration, eurekas + filming and editing are behind the final product, so thank you for all you do. 👍

  • @randomname4726
    @randomname4726 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Always excited to see a new Breaking Taps video!

  • @trr1984
    @trr1984 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Hi Zack, I really am blown away with your approach, equipment, testing and explanations. And of course the crazy amount of time spent in tracing. I am glad that Gen had you tell me about your channel! Really fantastic! I passed on a link to your channel to a number of people.... Great work!

  • @ezequieljimenez3391
    @ezequieljimenez3391 ปีที่แล้ว

    It's hard to find very clear explanations on these devices, with real photos, and real models, and even test to explain very clearly a concept behind a device.
    Thanks man

  • @mathewblanc9936
    @mathewblanc9936 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Really appreciate the effort you put in to create those 3D prints! I've watched a few videos about these sorts of devices, and there's always a bit of handwaving about how they actually work. This was an amazing physical demo, I feel like I have a visceral understanding of how they work now.

  • @dworkin7110
    @dworkin7110 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Amazed at the work you've put into this. The gyroscope part was surprising .. literally had no idea that this was also a flexture and your explanation as to how it worked was excellent. So much high technology in phones.. incredible.

  • @Jamesssssssssssssss
    @Jamesssssssssssssss 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Not sure if you have ever been a teacher, but the way you explain concepts (along with the amazing visual aids) make the information really digestible. Subbed, love the work you do !

  • @michaelpark952
    @michaelpark952 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    INSTANTLY pressed like & subscribe once it started playing how you modeled and 3D-printed the MEMs. Been watching a couple of your other videos too and they are absolutely incredible and informative!

  • @daxramdac7194
    @daxramdac7194 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Beautiful explanations, and beautiful models you 3d printed of these tiny mechanisms. I always casually thought about how these phones pick up on motion, position, etc. and guessed there had to be some moving parts somewhere, but never imagined how brilliantly ingenious and sophisticated the designs really were.

  • @siberx4
    @siberx4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I'm not sure if you've done a video on one of the OG popular MEMS devices (DLP chips or inkjet printer nozzles) but they'd be neat to see and are structurally quite simple to understand.
    I'd also love to see more insight and models with some of the tiny motors and microfluidics devices they make using MEMS technology, although I know such devices are much more niche and hence harder to get a hold of than something commodity like an accelerometer/gyroscope.
    I know they also make MEMS microphones these days, so seeing how those are built and comparing them to the previous go-to for compact microphones (electret capsules) would be fascinating.
    They can also apparently make compasses (do they use an electromagnet? tiny permanent magnet?) and humidity sensors (what part of this is responding to humidity?) in MEMS, and I can't imagine how they're pulling that off so those might be neat to investigate as well.

    • @lorem9587
      @lorem9587 ปีที่แล้ว

      I second compasses and humidity sensors!

    • @erlendse
      @erlendse ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Compasses use HAL-sensors and how the current bends in a metal sheet when exposed to a field. Not that much to see I guess? not actually a MEMS device.
      Microphones is likely just the acclerator connected to a membrane instead of a mass (aka not that much new?).
      Humidity sensors seems to use the conductivity of material vs wetness or a capacitor where the dieletric gets wet(hydroscopic) from the air.
      Likely not really MEMS, probably just a blob of special material on two metal conductors?

  • @riggyrain
    @riggyrain ปีที่แล้ว +3

    A+ on the effort alone. Everything else is just gravy

  • @KoushikPaulliveandletlive
    @KoushikPaulliveandletlive 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is my first time in this channel.
    I am in awe about the attention to detail, what people can do with just a 3D printer.
    You got a admirer today.

  • @janzkrs8006
    @janzkrs8006 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    would love to see a DLP (projector) MEMS

  • @goddamnit
    @goddamnit ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'm less than halfway through, but this is so insanely interesting, and you put in so much careful work that I just have to subscribe right now. Insane video man, thank you for doing all that and sharing it with us!!!

  • @TheFloatingBartender
    @TheFloatingBartender ปีที่แล้ว

    My guy, this was one of the best explanations of computer stuff for a non computer person ever. Kudos.

  • @lolapplesauce
    @lolapplesauce ปีที่แล้ว +8

    wowow what a wonderful demonstration. These are such cool and clever devices, and you nailed it. And huge props for taking apart real mems devices and sketching them into 3d prints! Thanks again!

  • @HDfoodie
    @HDfoodie ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Simply THE BEST explanation ever created!!!
    Seriously worthy of becoming most recommended / most linked to video on any platform.
    Thank you 🙏🏼 for ALL your time && effort!!!

  • @MRmisteronwzz
    @MRmisteronwzz ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Insanely detailed video and very interesting to watch! Glad it blew up. I know these videos take a lot of time and seem less worth to make compared to the new short video format that's getting popular but take your time, and keep it up!

  • @ddopson
    @ddopson ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You got my upvote at 3:40, for tracing an entire MEMS chip into CAD so that you could CD print a human-scale model. Very awesome.
    The oscillation that you picked up isn't just in your 3D printed model. The real device is also going to have oscillatory modes, but these can be corrected for using software. Basically, you've got a fundamental signal, that's convolved with an impulse response curve that characterizes the device's oscillatory modes, yielding your observed measurements, so to go backwards, one can "deconvolve" the system's impulse response curve, producing an estimate of the true signal.
    The device maker probably knows the typical impulse response curve based on the device's design, but each device is going to vary slightly from the average, so if greater precision is desired, one could "calibrate" the device by more precisely estimating each individual device's impulse response curve. For example, a test harness could apply a specific acceleration pattern, and by comparing with the measured signal, the impulse response could be determined. Or it's also possible that the device can self-calibrate by observing typical motion. Or for such a small device, the oscillatory modes are probably at such a high-frequency that they can be eliminated by a simple low-pass filter. Tiny things tend to vibrate very quickly.

  • @lukejacot7023
    @lukejacot7023 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Love these videos! Can definitely tell you're passionate about what you do

  • @invertedflow
    @invertedflow ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This is absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful explanation! THANK YOU for gifting us all with this easy to access knowledge. It was, undoubtedly A LOT of work!

  • @nomadben
    @nomadben 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The quality of this video is incredible. I'm continually amazed by the level of education one can find for free on TH-cam. Thank you sir

  • @nolanpeters5462
    @nolanpeters5462 ปีที่แล้ว

    Again again again! I wanna see more MEMS explained this way. This is awesome

  • @uwezimmermann5427
    @uwezimmermann5427 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Having presented the accelerometer/gyroscope to my students last week, I actually had the idea if I could not make some simplified 3D-model. Now I linked your video in our course material and I will have a look at your 3D files later.

  • @DEtchells
    @DEtchells ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This was a *phenomenal* video! I can imagine how tedious it must have been to trace all the elements, then convert them into a 3D model that could be printed 😮👍
    That added SO much to the understanding, though, making for a really extraordinary explainer video.
    I found it especially interesting how they can integrate the Z axis into that same planar structure - I’d always wondered how they managed to do 3 axes, and thought there must be a second chip at right angles inside the package.
    This was also the first time I understood how they manage to translate the coriolis forces into a measurable signal. The shift in resonant frequency was entirely unexpected.
    A number of years ago I was looking at an application for a gyro where I needed a lot of sensitivity to small movements. Analog Devices (now part of someone larger, I think TI) had a unit that was an order of magnitude more sensitive than the standard parts. An engineer there explained that it operated on a somewhat different principle, but didn’t explain what that was. It’s be interesting to find out what that was :-)
    BTW, the killer app that made these jellybean parts was car airbags. They needed ultra-reliable inexpensive accelerometers, and the millions of units requirement drove the development of MEMS accelerometers. Gyros came later, once the basic tech had been perfected for the airbag market.
    Btw, what’s the purpose of the chip bonded on top? Just protection?

    • @TheMrTape
      @TheMrTape ปีที่แล้ว

      The chip on top is the ASIC for the sensor, stacked to keep it small. th-cam.com/video/l75IiNVRdfg/w-d-xo.html at 1:15

  • @OneLabToRuleThemAll
    @OneLabToRuleThemAll 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    One of the best explanations I've ever heard of how a MEMS gyro/accel works. I had heard theoretical explanations of how they work, but nobody else actually made a physical model.

  • @davebacknolaliki1452
    @davebacknolaliki1452 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing video. I applaud and thank you for the time you spent printing everything and explaining everything. It’s crazy the thought and design that goes into MEMS and the level of precision they can achieve at such a small scale. Same with transistor technology, blows my mind.

  • @tarehjernetarehjerne4082
    @tarehjernetarehjerne4082 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Your video quality is beyond amazing. Super informative and helpful. As with a lot of technology i simply do not have time to read lots and lots on them, so videos like these provide months of research in 20 minutes or less, which is amazing.
    I do however need to ask, gravity is not a force, when you drop your phone, the ground is accelerating upwards and the phone will feel no gravity, according to GR.
    Therefore, does the phone have a range of pre set parameters for earths gravity, so it can detect the lack of acceleration?

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks! 🥰 And yeah, I botched the explanation on that... check the pinned comment, a viewer explained how it actually works vs. what I said :) Tl;dr: it's actually the restoring force of the flexure that's detected (acting like a spring), unlike what i said

  • @defenestrated23
    @defenestrated23 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Wonderful video. I would love to see a part II of how MEMS are made, in particular the undercuts, using photolithography.

    • @TheMrTape
      @TheMrTape ปีที่แล้ว

      Here's one that explains it well th-cam.com/video/iPGpoUN29zk/w-d-xo.html
      It's basically just suspended on material they etch away after construction.

  • @bwhog
    @bwhog ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The macro scale models are *really* cool! Also, REALLY clever engineering! Never knew how accelerometers worked before. Ingenious!
    For me, It'd be really interesting to see a similar sort of model of how the touch sensitive displays work. Especially how to detect the proximity of a stylus without it actually touching the device.

  • @SpinStar1956
    @SpinStar1956 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow, thanks for not only the explanation but all the VERY-HARD-WORK to make the 3D-print models.
    Very much appreciate your intellect and effort!

  • @andymouse
    @andymouse ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Awesome subject well explained ! It would be nice to see some early MEMS side by side with the best we have today and perhaps a glimpse into how they are made....cheers.

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Ooh, that's a good idea! Would love to see if the fabrication processes are noticeably different (either in fidelity or quality, sidewalls, etc) or just complexity.

  • @TiNredstoner
    @TiNredstoner ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Great video! Looking forward to see another MEMS device such as Microphone or Oscillator.

    • @ZomB1986
      @ZomB1986 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I made microscope images of a MEMS microphone from what I think was a Motorola Razr. The photos are orange because the lamp is just yellow. imgur pPHXCev

  • @juanparedes1702
    @juanparedes1702 ปีที่แล้ว

    The level of quality in this video is simply incredible.

  • @TheNormanbro
    @TheNormanbro ปีที่แล้ว

    This is the BEST video about "how things works". Awesome job!

  • @self_taught_stuff
    @self_taught_stuff ปีที่แล้ว +3

    its so nice that you are totally crazy and you actually did all of this 🙂
    keep them coming. best wishes

  • @lorem9587
    @lorem9587 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This was extremely cool! Even though I had a basic grasp of how MEMS devices work, it was very insightful to see the 3D printed models and see the flexures bend. I love presentations that allow me to have a more intuitive understanding of various concepts, and this was definitely one of them.
    However, I didn't quite get how the change in oscillation in the gyros propagates to the measuring capacitors on the outside. Also, it would be great to see how the movements of the rest of the mechanisms are sensed.
    As for suggestions, a few years ago there was an interesting case of a MEMS resonator clocking an iPhone SoC that failed to operate when submerged in helium. DLP chips could be interesting to explore as well. I'm also curious how these devices are manufactured, but I'm not sure if this is within the scope of this channel.
    Thanks a lot for the video!

    • @erlendse
      @erlendse ปีที่แล้ว

      They are esencially a mechanical integrated circuit, very cool stuff!
      And I would like to know how that spesific sensing works too, for me it seems like something may be wrong about the presentation.
      The controller clearly know the driven phase, and could totally use the phase of the sensed signal and compare aginst the driven signal so plenty tricks.
      From what I understand about the helium, it's not submerging but rather a small presence of it that messes it up.
      How they are made have lots of secrets. From my experience they are totally willing to show what it's shaped like and all, but how they build it is off limits.

  • @BloodyMobile
    @BloodyMobile ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "Delicate" is an understatement on a scale, where "understatement" is an understatement...
    These things are, to me at least, incomprehensible small. If I'm not mixing up the scales here, then some parts could be the size of fingernail width next to a tree trunk, where the tree trunk is a human hair... It's just insane. And fascinating how "normal" technology made it that these things are everywhere because they can be made THAT easily these days.
    Also a "Thank you

  • @TheCyberbeltsy
    @TheCyberbeltsy ปีที่แล้ว

    This is best content so far on TH-cam. So much work. Thank you

  • @larrybud
    @larrybud ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is an incredible presentation and explanation! Top 10 channels in my sub list and that's pretty big. I wonder if there are any MEMS devices which work in a piezo-electric way, where the flexure of the material produces a voltage and that is then converted to movements, vs this capacitance method.

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Oh yeah, definitely! The cantilever on my AFM is a MEMS device, and I think they detect the oscillations via a piezo element embedded in the cantilever base. I think it's less common since it's a much more difficult process for fabs, needing to deposit a piezo material compared to just another metal layer and traces. But adds a huge amount of flexibility since you can put strain sensors right where you want them. Very cool stuff!

    • @larrybud
      @larrybud ปีที่แล้ว

      @@BreakingTaps I think it would be worthy a video on how you decapped these. I know you briefly went over it, but I'd love to see the actual process. How many did you have to do this to to create your composite?

  • @bigpopakap
    @bigpopakap ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Wow, I'm so happy to have been suggested this video!!! That is a mind blowing amount of work you put in to scan, take apart, trace and recreate the chip as a model. But it made for a great visual explanation, and I understand these devices so much more than I ever thought I would. They're both much more complex (in the intricate manufacturing) and more simple (basically just swiveling pieces) than I expected

  • @cidadaoPPT
    @cidadaoPPT ปีที่แล้ว

    Ok, I have to say. Genuine THANK YOU for tracing and printing those! That, at the very least, deserves a sub and a share!

  • @OCDRex11
    @OCDRex11 ปีที่แล้ว

    I think I may have just watched the best video I have ever seen on TH-cam!!! I feel that I can say that with 100% sincerity as well! This was just astounding work. I was half a second behind you when you said "what if I drew" it and then boom, 3d models and prints. Just amazing work! I am off to binge everything you have to offer! Thanks for all the work on this video.

  • @MarinusMakesStuff
    @MarinusMakesStuff ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Awesome! We use LIS3DH accelerometers in our 3D printers (RRF) and I know that Klipper uses the ADXL345. It might be nice to compare those two as they are both used for the same purpose by different firmwares. It would be interesting to kickstart a debate about which one is better ;)

    • @BreakingTaps
      @BreakingTaps  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Oh, yeah that's definitely on the todo list! I've looked at the LIS3DH in the past, and it's a _very_ different architecture. I mean, same general principles apply, but it looks entirely different from the MPU-6050 accelerometers. I was actually hoping to show some of the photos in this video, but ran out of time.
      A comparison of popular accelerometers is a great idea, would be neat to compare/contrast all of them

  • @Papa_Electron1897
    @Papa_Electron1897 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    come here through recommendation of gareeb scientist

  • @b1llie
    @b1llie 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm mind blown at how well you explained all the mechanisms, even for a non-science student like myself to understand! Thank you so much, I hope you know we dearly appreciate all of your hard work!!

  • @AdityaVenkatesh101
    @AdityaVenkatesh101 ปีที่แล้ว

    Insane! Thank you so much for such an in depth video. This is really great stuff!

  • @xgsa
    @xgsa ปีที่แล้ว

    These 3d printed models are so cool! And the description is really clear. Thank you for the video!

  • @rafaelmacas
    @rafaelmacas 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very first video I watch from you and man! Pure quality and dedication! ❤ subscribed right away!

  • @julianfranklin9306
    @julianfranklin9306 ปีที่แล้ว

    Absolutely fantastic! This is an amazing real-world view of bacteria-small comonponentry that we all just take for granted. Until now I had assumed that there were just dizzy pixies in my phone working out which way is up. Now I know! Thank you for making this and for going to the trouble of tracing, mapping and recreating this MEMS device as a 3D model.

  • @mindovermatter1453
    @mindovermatter1453 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I amazed at the kind of things people think up and invent. The level of Creativity and intelligence at that level really is amazing and should be appreciated.
    Thanks for all your effort. Reminds me of when i read the book how do it know that explains basically how computers work. A really simplified explanation of the core inner workings that anyone can understand without needing to know the complex theories and laws behind it

  • @davida1hiwaaynet
    @davida1hiwaaynet ปีที่แล้ว

    Fascinating stuff. Thank you for the time and effort on this!

  • @SamChaneyProductions
    @SamChaneyProductions ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks so much for this video. As a mechanical engineer with a focus on materials science who works as a software engineer and whose dad is an electical engineer, MEMS devices are like the ultimate combination of my interests. This is such valuable information presented so clearly and simply

  • @tuxinoo7059
    @tuxinoo7059 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’ve just discovered this video and I love it ! It’s the first time that I found a video that explains, in details, in real life mouvements, the way MEMS works ! Really appreciated and you gain a new follwer. Amazing job. Thank you very much 🙏

  • @Blutwind
    @Blutwind 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As hard as it still was to grasp the rought functionality of those devices. We can see it in completion.
    Makes you appreciate the sheer genius of the people who invented it and made it so unbelievable small.

  • @MrDarcamo
    @MrDarcamo 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Amazing work. I wish all classes in engineering were like this. Models are important, but visually seeing it working on a scaled version and comparing it to the model is on another level.

  • @sweatypnuts
    @sweatypnuts ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow thanks for publishing the .stl files for your video. Amazing!!

  • @PlexiumGames
    @PlexiumGames ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I just cannot believe we can make things like this that work so well and reliably for under a dollar. My jaw was on the floor this entire video

  • @sinanx
    @sinanx ปีที่แล้ว

    Level of efforts put into this video is enormous! Makes those complicated subjects easy to understand. Thank you very much.

  • @hjdksplt
    @hjdksplt ปีที่แล้ว

    I am speechless! I watch a lot of TH-cam videos, seriously. Never seen this kind of piece. It's unique. So much effort in it. Thanks a lot.

  • @heyitsjay22
    @heyitsjay22 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Your 3D models are such a great tool to help understand what is going on. You have great methods to conveying how things work. I had no idea that these devices had any movable parts at all. Very eye opening for me.

  • @prismglider5922
    @prismglider5922 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks so much for 3d printing the model, that really took this video to the next level.

  • @davidbiondo2512
    @davidbiondo2512 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The visualizations from the microscopes, and your explanations are the best I've seen on TH-cam. Very informative! Thank you so much.

  • @kenmohler4081
    @kenmohler4081 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The models you created are incredible. And I wouldn’t have understood the mechanism without them. Thank you for putting in so much work and sharing your understanding.

  • @tehwalris
    @tehwalris 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video! When you showed the microscope images I didn't think I could understand how the mechanisms move, but your printed models helped a ton. Crazy that these devices work accurately.

  • @avidonsaadatfar4518
    @avidonsaadatfar4518 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Excellent video! This must have taken hundreds of hours to put together. This is the first video I've seen from this channel. Hoping to see this channel really take off

  • @FC_Dobbs48
    @FC_Dobbs48 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Absolutely beautiful demonstration models! They show just how dedicated you are to sharing and teaching this fascinating tech.

  • @richardstewart4135
    @richardstewart4135 ปีที่แล้ว

    I gotta say, this was very enjoyable to watch. Most integrated circuit videos I have watched were quite lacking in actual information. I have worked with integrated circuits since the late 70's and was always amazed at how complex they became over the years. In the 80's we worked with Motorola 68000 CPU chips and had quite a lot of failures shipped to us. We were able to crack the tops off and look inside to see the cip itself. The mark one eyeball is not powerful enough to view the chip on its own and so we used high magnification. Under microscopes, the complexity was astounding. This was way back in the 80s....Its hard to imagine the complexity of today's cpu's with billions of transistors. Well done, and I look forward to more of your videos.

  • @abhishekr700
    @abhishekr700 ปีที่แล้ว

    Kudos to the amount of effort you put tracing the 3D models, Loved the video !

  • @SirTyron
    @SirTyron ปีที่แล้ว

    The instant Zac said "it took a week", I liked the video. Very informative, thank you for your work and dedication.

  • @bytorsnowdog5885
    @bytorsnowdog5885 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very well done! Kudos to the time and effort put in to design the macro models!

  • @georgelupascu5488
    @georgelupascu5488 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for all the hard work and for the knowledge you bring to us all!