Patent US 4,979,149

A memory device for digital electronic signals includes at least one micro-mechanical memory element. The memory element includes a support having recess defined therein and a curved mechanical component bridging the recess and fixed to the support. The mechanical component has two stable positions, each of which being maintained by mechanical forces, one concave down towards the support and the other convex up away from the support. The mechanical component is adapted to be selectively changed from one stable position to the other stable position during a writing cycle and to have its stable position determined during a reading cycle so that the memory element can be used for storing binary logic information.