Study Programmes 2015-2016
MECA0009-2  
Introduction to microtechnology
Duration :
12h Th, 12h Pr, 8h Labo., 22h Proj.
Number of credits :
Bachelor in engineering5
Bachelor in engineering5
Master in electrical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in electrical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Specialised master in nanotechnology5
Lecturer :
Tristan Gilet
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
This course is an introduction to microtechnology and microsystems. The material covers microfabrication, MEMS sensors and actuators, lumped element models, microscale heat transfer management, microfluidics and biosensors.
Learning outcomes of the course :
At the end of this course, the student will have a good overview of microtechnology and physical constraints at the microscale. Microsystem design is learned through a series of lectures/tutorials and practiced in a group project. The student will also develop further his/her ability to perform experimental work during the lab sessions. These latter will give him/her a practical view of the challenges encountered in microfabrication.
Both the assignment and the lab sessions involve theoretical background from many different fields. They will therefore be worked out in small groups (4-5 students). The students will be mixed according to their background; hence they will benefit from the knowledge of the others.
In the course project, the student will learn about a cutting-edge topic. He/she will improve his/her presentation skills (incl. selection of relevant information, slides, spoken english) and his/her critical thinking.
Special attention is given to both written and spoken English. All the assignments will be submitted in English. Feedback will be regularly provided.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Pre-requisites: Elementary physics, mechanics and chemistry(e.g. PHYS2020, PHYS2021, PHYS2022, CHIM0603, MECA0001, MECA0011, SYST0002)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course comprises:




  • 12 lectures (2h each), in which theory and applications are covered.
  • 6 tutorials (2h each).
  • 1 lab session (4h, en groupe). The students will micropattern and functionalize a surface with different microfabrication techniques.
  • 2 course project sessions (1 practice + 1 final - 2h each - individual work). On the first day of class, every student chooses a scientific publication in a list. This article describes a "cutting-edge" technology. The student is asked to present this research in 5', and in English. He/she is also asked to discuss those results and propose perspectives. During the practice session, individual feedback will be given on the presentation skills.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face
Recommended or required readings :
The course is not based on a unique textbook. It is more a synthesis of many textbooks and recent publications. At the end of each class, several reading suggestions will be given.
Assessment methods and criteria :
  • 1 assignment on MEMS design (30% of the final grade). One report per group (4-5 étudiants), written in English, due at the end of the term.
  • 1 lab report (15% of the final grade). One report per group, written in English.
  • Final presentation of the course project, on the last day of class (20% of the final grade). Evaluation criteria comprise selection of the relevant information, content knowledge, slide quality and spoken English.
  • Oral exam in June or September, on everything seen in class (35% of the final grade). A list of questions will be given to the students, not later than early May.
  • If the student gets less than 23/45 on the case studies and lab sessions, he/she will be proposed a short problem during the exam. This problem only counts for 20% of the final grade (instead of 45%). The remaining 25% will equal the grade obtained during the year. The same rule holds for the second exam session (September), where only the exam is organized.
  • Written English is graded in every report. Spelling, grammar and style mistakes will be pointed by the grader. 
  • Presence to the lab session is mandatory.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
The course is given in the spring, on Wednesday from 2pm to 6pm. The room will be specified later.
An electronic version of the course notes and slides will be available online.
Contacts :
Tristan Gilet Assistant professor Microfluidics Lab Office: B52 - 0/421 Tel: +32 (0) 4 366 9166 Email: Tristan.Gilet@ulg.ac.be
 
Michael Kraft
Professor
Microsys
Office: B28 - 1/83b
Tel: +32 (0) 4 366 2616
Email: m.kraft@ulg.ac.be