Microelectromechanical apparatus for generating a physical effect

A microelectromechanical apparatus for generating a physical effect, the microelectromechanical apparatus comprising:

• a moving element that is constructed of a non-piezoelectric material, said moving element being coupled to a mechanical support by at least one flexure which is associated with at least one piezoelectric member that is operable to be strained by an electrical field applied to the piezoelectric member, thereby flexing the flexure to which the piezoelectric member is coupled;
• at least one electrode that is coupled to at least one of the piezoelectric members;
• the at least one electrode operable to transfer to the at least one piezoelectric member a sequence of electric fields, thereby controllably inducing movement of the moving element for creating the physical effect;
• and
• a mechanical stop, wherein the moving element is operative to be constrained to travel alternately back and forth along an axis, wherein the moving element is held against the mechanical stop when the electric field applied to at least one piezoelectric member coupled to the moving element exceeds a threshold value.