Calendar

Lecture Outline

The number of lectures on each topic are given in parentheses. For the detailed schedule of topics, see the calendar below.

I. Introduction (0.5)

An overview of microelectromechanical devices and technologies, and an introduction to design and modeling.

II. Fabrication Technology (4)

Brief review of standard microelectronic fabrication technologies; detailed discussion of bulk micromachining, surface micromachining, bonding technologies, related fabrication methods, and creating process flows. Assignments will emphasize creating process flows, the relation between process and mask specifications and the resulting device geometry, and also the effect of etch selectivity on process viability.

III. Material Properties (0.5)

Definitions of mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, optical, and chemical properties of materials.

IV. Lumped Modeling (3)

Introduction to lumped modeling of systems and transducers; an overview of system dynamics.

V. Split Sessions: Introductory Mechanics or Introductory Electronics (2)

Classes will be held in parallel on both introductory mechanics (2.001 - 2.002 level) and introductory electronics (6.002 level). Students with equivalent undergraduate mechanics preparation should attend the electronics sessions, and students with equivalent undergraduate electronics preparation should attend the mechanics sessions. Students who do not have equivalent undergraduate preparation in either area should attend the electronics sessions. A mechanics make up session will be scheduled for those students.

VI. Mechanics: Special Topics (1)

MEMS examples, energy methods.

VII. Dissipation (2)

The thermal energy domain; modeling dissipative processes.

VIII. Fluids and Transport (3)

A necessarily brief introduction to the fluid mechanics and transport processes relevant at the microscale.

IX. System Issues (2)

Feedback and noise.

X. Case Studies and Special Topics (6)

While students are working on final projects, there will be a series of eight lectures covering packaging, design tradeoffs, as well as case studies taken from various MEMS disciplines (e.g., optical MEMS, accelerometers, BioMEMS, Power MEMS).

Calendar

JV: Session taught by Joel Voldman

CL: Session taught by Carol Livermore

LEC # TOPICS LECTURERS KEY DATES
1 Introduction to MEMS; microfabrication for MEMS: part I JV/CL

2 Microfabrication for MEMS: part II CL Problem set 1 out
3 Microfabrication for MEMS: part III CL

4 Microfabrication for MEMS: part IV; in-class fab problem CL

Problem set 1 due

Problem set 2 out

5 Fabrication for the life sciences; material properties CL

6 Elasticity or electronics I CL/JV

Problem set 2 due

Problem set 3 out

7 Structures or electronics II CL/JV

8 Lumped-element modeling JV

9 Energy-conserving transducers JV

Problem set 3 due

Problem set 4 out

10 Dynamics, especially nonlinear JV

11 Structures special topics CL Design problem out
12 Thermal energy domain; dissipation JV Problem set 4 due
13 Modeling dissipative processes JV

Design problem due

Problem set 5 out 2 days before L13

14 Fluids 1 JV

Problem set 5 due

Problem set 6 out

15 Fluids 2 JV

16 Transport JV

Problem set 6 due

Problem set 7 out

17 Feedback JV

18 Noise CL

19 Packaging CL Problem set 7 due
20 In-class design problem CL

21 Design tradeoffs CL

22 Power MEMS case study CL

23 Optical MEMS case study CL

24 Capacitive accelerometer case study JV

25 BioMEMS case study JV

Final presentations

Final report due 6 days after L25
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets with Solutions
Lecture Notes
Projects
Programming Assignments