Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Key features of a range of micro and nanosystems
- Electrical characterisation of such systems
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Characterise a nanoresonator system
- Package and evaluate a piezoelectric sensor
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Structure and write technical reports
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Define characterisation strategies for such systems
- Explaining the working principle of several classes of micro and nanosystems
Syllabus
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wider reading or practice | 25 |
| Tutorial | 9 |
| Lecture | 18 |
| Supervised time in studio/workshop | 18 |
| Completion of assessment task | 50 |
| Follow-up work | 15 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 15 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Comprehensive lecture notes will be provided.
Internet Resources
Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems.
Sensors and Actuators A: Physical.
Textbooks
Hector de Los Santos (2004). Introduction to Microelectromechanical Microwave Systems. Artech House, Inc..
Maluf N and Williams K (2004). An Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems Engineering. Artech House Mems Library.
Senturia, S.D (2001). Microsystem Design. Kluwer.
Khanna VK (2011). Nanosensors: physical, chemical, and biological. CRC Press.
Kovacs GTA (1998). Micromachined Transducers Sourcebook. McGraw-Hill.
Gaura, E (2006). Smart MEMS and Sensor Systems. Imperial College Press.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
A lab report will not be marked if the student has not attended the corresponding lab sessions. Laboratory sessions are scheduled in the relevant laboratory facilities in ECS. Length of each session: 3 hours for Microsystems/MEMS, 2 hours for Nanosystems/NEMS. Number of sessions completed by each student: 5 Max number of students per session: 18 for Micro and 2 for Nano Demonstrator:student ratio: 1:9 for Micro and 1:2 for Nano Preferred teaching weeks: 12Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework and lab reports | 50% |
| Coursework and lab reports | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External