Duration
24h Th, 18h Pr, 4h Labo., 20h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Tristan Gilet, N...
Coordinator
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
Learning unit 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 learning unit
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 and practiced in case studies.
The student will also develop further his/her ability to perform experimental work during the lab session. This latter will give him/her a practical view of the challenges encountered while handling small-scale systems.
Both the case studies and the lab sessions involve theoretical background from many different fields. They will therefore be worked out in small groups. The students will be mixed according to their background; hence they will benefit from the knowledge of the others.
In the flash talks, 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.
All the assignments will be submitted in English.
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:
- 8 lectures (2h each), in which theory and applications are covered.
- 6 case studies (2h each).
- 1 lab session (4h, en groupe). The students will manipulate different small-scale systems.
- 2 flash talk 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
Slides
"Microsystems design', S.D. Senturia, K.A.P. 2001
Assessment methods and criteria
- 1 lab report (weight 15%). One report per group, written in English. The mark is kept from the first to the second session.
- Final presentation of the flash talks (weight 20%). Evaluation criteria comprise selection of the relevant information, content knowledge, slide quality and spoken English. The mark is kept from the first to the second session.
- Written exam, on theory (weight 35%) and a problem inspired from case studies (30%).
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.
The lab session is mandatory. Any absence to this session will have to be officially justified.
Contacts
Tristan Gilet Assistant professor Microfluidics Lab Office: B52 - 0/424 Email: Tristan.Gilet@ulg.ac.be