ECE 4320 - Integrated Micro Sensors and Actuators: Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds

(crosslisted) MAE 4320

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ECE 2100 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Co-meets with ECE 5320.

A. Lal, V. Gund.

Introduction to micro and nano devices that allow the digital world to both sense and actuate in the physical world. Design and analysis of modern MEMS/NEMS (Micro/Nano Electromechanical Systems) touch, accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure, microphones, neural probe sensors. Design and analysis of electrostatic, piezoelectric, thermal, and magnetic actuators for frequency control and micro robotic applications. This is an interdisciplinary course drawing from mechanics, materials, solid state devices, CMOS electronics, and micro and nano fabrication. The students design, fabricate, and test a microsensor chip to implement class concepts.

Outcome 1: Be able to design and model a digital app-based electronic interface to integrated sensors.

Outcome 2: Be able to model spring-mass equivalent models of micro/nano fabricated structures, using analysis and finite-element analysis software.

Outcome 3: Be able to use individual fabrication steps into a device fabrication process flow.

Outcome 4: Be able to design and model electromechanical models of planar surface micromachined accelerometers and gyroscopes.

Outcome 5: Be able to design membrane based sensors and actuators such as pressure monitors and microphones.