ECE 4320

Integrated Micro Sensors and Actuators: Bridging the Physical and Digital Worlds

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

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.

Prerequisites ECE 2100.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2024FA, 2023SP, 2022SP, 2021SP

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to design and model a digital app-based electronic interface to integrated sensors.
• Be able to model spring-mass equivalent models of micro/nano fabricated structures, using analysis and finite-element analysis software.
• Be able to use individual fabrication steps into a device fabrication process flow.
• Be able to design and model electromechanical models of planar surface micromachined accelerometers and gyroscopes.
• Be able to design membrane based sensors and actuators such as pressure monitors and microphones.

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