MEMS Electrostatic Actuation

Six Sigma is a quality management methodology aiming for near-perfection. A process operating at a "six sigma" level has a yield of 99.9997%, meaning it produces only 3.4 Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO). This standard corresponds to a process where the nearest specification limit is six standard deviations away from the process mean, accounting for a 1.5 sigma shift in the mean over time (refer to the specific details on the debated 1.5 sigma shift as an empirical observation).

Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) data. In iterative design, it allows for fast creation of tangible models for user testing and stakeholder feedback, enabling quick design refinements before committing to expensive tooling and manufacturing processes.

The NIOSH lifting equation is a tool used by occupational health and safety professionals to assess the risk of musculoskeletal injury associated with manual lifting tasks. It calculates a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) for a specific task, representing the maximum weight a healthy worker could lift without increased risk of low back injury, considering factors like task geometry and frequency.

A set of nine foundational principles for sustainable design, developed by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. They advocate for the rights of humanity and nature to coexist, recognize interdependence, respect relationships between spirit and matter, accept responsibility for design consequences, create safe objects of long-term value, eliminate waste, rely on natural energy flows, and understand the limitations of design.

Binder jetting is an additive manufacturing process where a liquid binding agent is selectively deposited onto a powder bed using an inkjet-style print head. The print head moves across a layer of powder, depositing binder droplets to join particles together. The build platform then lowers, a new layer of powder is spread, and the process repeats layer-by-layer.

Design for Disassembly (DfD) is a design strategy focused on enabling the easy and cost-effective separation of a product's components and materials at its end-of-life. By prioritizing non-destructive separation, DfD facilitates repair, reuse, remanufacturing, and high-purity recycling. Key techniques include using mechanical fasteners over adhesives, modular construction, and clear material labeling to maximize value recovery.

The International Ergonomics Association divides the discipline into three primary domains of specialization: physical ergonomics focuses on human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological, and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity, cognitive ergonomics concerns mental processes like perception, memory, and reasoning, and finally organizational ergonomics deals with the optimization of sociotechnical systems, including organizational structures, policies, and processes.

The 1.5 sigma shift is an empirical correction used in Six Sigma calculations to account for the long-term dynamic variation of a process. It posits that over time, a process mean will tend to drift by about 1.5 standard deviations from its short-term centered position. This shift is the reason a 6 sigma process corresponds to 3.4 DPMO, not the theoretical 2 defects per billion.

A standardized categorization of artificial satellites based on their wet mass, including fuel. The primary classes are minisatellites (100–500 kg), microsatellites (10–100 kg), nanosatellites (1–10 kg), picosatellites (0.1–1 kg), and femtosatellites (<100 g). This classification provides a common language for engineers, manufacturers, and launch providers to define mission scale, technical requirements, and cost estimations.

Design for the Environment (DfE), also known as ecodesign, is a proactive approach to product and process development that minimizes environmental and human health impacts across the entire product life cycle. It integrates environmental considerations into the earliest design stages, alongside traditional factors like cost and performance, to prevent pollution and conserve resources from the outset.

The European standard EN 2, 'Classification of fires', harmonizes fire classes across member nations. It defines five classes: A (solids), B (liquids), C (gases), D (metals), and F (cooking oils). A key distinction from the US system is that Class C is specifically for flammable gases, and there is no dedicated class for electrical fires; instead, the burning material is classified.