Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a device that has
an improved usable lifetime due to the presence of a lubricant that
reduces the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving
parts in an electromechanical device. Embodiments of the present
invention also generally include a device, and a method of forming a
device, that has one or more surfaces or regions that have a volume of
lubricant disposed thereon that acts as a ready supply of "fresh"
lubricant to prevent stiction occurring between interacting components
found within the device. In one aspect, components within the volume of
lubricant form a gas or vapor phase that reduces the chances of
stiction-related failure in the formed device. In one example, aspects of
this invention may be especially useful for fabricating and using
micromechanical devices, such as MEMS devices, NEMS devices, or other
similar thermal or fluidic devices.