Duration
24h Th, 18h Pr, 4h Labo., 20h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
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 and their electronic interfaces, microscale energy harvesting, microfluidics and biosensors. Lumped element modeling is used several times throughout the course.
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:
This course involves both mechanical and electronic aspects. In electronics, we expect the students to already be able to solve elementary electronic circuits, involving ideal operational amplifiers (e.g. as seen in ELEC0052 or ELEN0075 ). In mechanics, we expect the students to alredy be able to calculate the bending deflection of a loaded beam (e.g. as seen in MEC0001) and the flow in a pipe (e.g. as seen in MECA0011). On the first day of class, two parallel catch-up sessions will be organised, one in electronics and one in mechanics, so students can brush up on either topic.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course comprises:
- Lectures, in which theory and applications are covered.
- Case studies
- One lab session. The students will manipulate different small-scale systems.
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.
- Flash talks (weight 15%). The mark is kept from the first to the second session.
- Written exam, on theory (weight 35%) and a problem inspired from case studies (35%).
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The course is given in the spring, on Wednesday afternoon. 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 - 0/420
Email: Tristan.Gilet@uliege.be
Jean-Michel Redouté
Associate professor
Dept. Electrical Eng. and Computer Sci.
Office: B28 - 1.83b
Email: Jean-Michel.Redoute@uliege.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
The number and schedule of lectures and case studies is unchanged. All the required material is posted on MyULiège. Questions about the case studies can be sent by email to the professors or teaching assistants. They will be answered by email, and a skype meeting will be scheduled if necessary.
Assessment subjects
The exam will be focused on the contents of all the lectures and case studies.
Assessment methods
The flash talks are maintained, and they represent 15% of the final mark. The exam will count for the remaining 85% of the final mark. It will consist of a multiple choice based on the lectures and case studies. There will be a time limit to solve each question. Notes and electronic devices will be allowed.
Contacts
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
The exam will be focused on the contents of all the lectures and case studies.
Assessment methods
The mark from the flash talks (15%) is kept. The exam will count for the remaining 85% of the final mark. It will consist of a multiple choice based on the lectures and case studies. There will be a time limit to solve the exam. Notes and electronic devices will be allowed.