Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) (IMAGE) Purdue University Caption Researchers are developing a new class of tiny mechanical devices containing vibrating, hair-thin structures that could be used to filter electronic signals in cell phones and for other more exotic applications. The work is done inside a vacuum chamber sitting on top of a special vibration-absorbing platform critical to making the precise measurements. A tiny prototype, roughly comparable in size to a grain of sand, is pictured on the monitor at right. The device is an example of a microelectromechanical system, or a MEMS, which contains tiny moving parts. Credit Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.