Microtechnology - Definition and Overview

Microtechnology is technology with features near one micrometre (one millionth of a metre, or 10^-6 metre, or 1μm).

Microtechnology is usually constructed using photolithography. Lightwaves are focused through a mask onto a surface. They solidify a chemical film. The soft, unexposed parts of the film are washed away. Then acid etches away the material not protected.

Microtechnology's most famous success is the integrated circuit. It has also been used to construct micromachinery.

The following items have been constructed on a scale of 1 micrometre using photolithography:

• Electronics:
  • wires
  • resistors
  • transistors
  • thermionic valves
  • diodes
  • capacitors
• machinery:
  • electric motors
  • gears
  • levers
  • bearings
  • hinges
• fluidic
  • valves
  • Channels
  • pumps
  • turbines