Albert P. Pisano (Advisor)

BPN385: MiNaSIP 2.B.1: Piezoelectric/Electrode/Ambient Interaction in Contour-Mode Resonators

Marcelo B. Pisani
2008

Recent advancement in wireless communication requires substantial improvement in the performance of physical devices needed to implement ubiquitous, multi band, multi standard and reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) systems. Aluminum nitride contour-mode resonators have been proven as one of the most promising technologies for the implementation of fully-integrated single-chip transceivers, but remarkable efforts are still needed to be undertaken in order to improve the performance of RF MEMS filters, local oscillators and intermediate frequency (IF) filter stages. Investigations are...

BPN497: MEMS Power: Design and Characterization of a MEMS Piezoelectric Bi-Chevron Actuator

Michael S. Sheppy
2009

The long range goal of this research is to design and characterize a microscale piezoelectric bi-chevron actuator for application to advanced printing technology (supercritical carbon-dioxide valve, SCV). The bi-chevron actuator is made out of aluminum nitride (AlN), a piezoelectric material. The actuators will be designed to meet the force and displacement requirements of the SCV. Milestones for this project include computer modeling, static and dynamic testing, and characterization of displacement performance with respect to the residual stresses in the AlN film.

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BPN440: MEMS Power: Fuel Flexible Engine Heat and Energy Characterization

John Reville
2009

The aim of this project is to eventually increase the efficiency of a fuel-flexible rotary engine to create a superior portable power source. The engine can then be used for multiple applications in remote areas, where the quality of the available fuels may not be consistent, and also run on lower grade fuels, decreasing the monetary and energetic costs associated with the refining process.

Project end date: 08/12/09

BPN367: AlN Piezo:Aluminum Nitride Piezo Thermoelastic Damping (MiNaSIP)

Gabriele Vigevani
2009

The Q-factor of a MEMS resonator is the result of a number of mechanisms: many of the damping sources are related with the evironment where the device is working such as air damping or viscous damping but many others are an intrinsic property of the vibrating structure. Among those the most common source of energy loss are the anchor losses, the excitation of spurious mode and the Thermo Elastic Damping (TED). The long-term objective of this project is to characterize the energy dissipation due to thermoelasticity in piezoelectric materials. In particular due to the increasing...

APP97: MEMS Power: Solid State Electrochemical Sensors for Gas Analysis

Jonathan Rheaume
2009

The goal of this research is the development of wideband solid state electrochemical sensors to measure nitrogen oxides (NOx) on the single ppm level in engine exhaust in order to meet stringent new emissions regulations. This technology consists of a planar, single cell sensor design that can be adapted to detect specific gases by changing the electrode materials and the operating temperature. An impedance method is used to interrogate the sensors and to obtain a signal that is proportional to analyte gas concentration at a specific frequency. A combination of microfabrication...

BPN395: MEMS Poly/Nano: Micro Flow Lysometer for Single-cell Analysis

Won Chul Lee
2009

This project presents a new single-cell analysis tool, flow-lysometry, for the cytosolic ATP measurement. Single-cell analysis by flowcytometry has revolutionized the measurement of complex cell populations. Only limited probes are available for the measurement of cytosolic components in single cells. While cellular components such as ATP can be measured sensitively in a suspension of cells with permeabilized plasma membranes, the determination of the distribution of such compounds in individual cells in a heterogeneous population is not available. We propose the development a novel...

BPN503: MEMS Poly/Nano: Compact, Organic RRAM for Transparent and Flexible Electronic Application

Nuo Zhang
2009

The goal of this project is to build a compact, transparent, polymeric resistive random access memory (RRAM) on a flexible substrate. This novel device is based on the concept of resistive switching characteristics which have already been demonstrated in many materials. The typical structure of this device is a sandwich of two metal layers separated by a functionalized insulator. This technology will enable the development of low-cost, highly reliable, high density,polymer-based nonvolatile memory devices which can be implemented in various transparent and flexible electronic systems...

BPN439: MEMS Power: Fuel Flexible Engine Design for Optimal Combustion

Chris McCoy
2010

The ultimate goal of the fuel flexibility project is to deliver on-demand, reliable, small- scale portable power using internal combustion engines that run on a variety of fuels. This will require advanced control of the combustion event, dramatic improvements to the engine sealing technology, and development of integrated sensors and feedback for optimal performance. To achieve this goal, a specialized engine test platform needs to be designed and built to accurately measure power output, torque, and efficiency. Upon collecting these data, a baseline for engine performance on its...

BPN320: MEMS Poly/Nano: Biomimetic, Polymeric Transistor-based Biosensor Technology

Jim C. Cheng
2010

The goal of this research is the creation of robust, flexible, polymer sensors and circuits fabricated in-part from the low cost, biopolymer, chitosan – the deacetylated form of chitin which is the second most abundant polyssacharide in nature. Chitin is found in crustaceans, insects, bacteria and fungi. The sensors will detect diatomic gases and DNA to more complex macro molecules (e.g. exotoxins) in a fluidic or dry environment. Polymer-nanoparticle (ex. Ge) hybrid films allow for development of robust, polymer thin-film transistors and, with optimization of the hybrid film,...

BPN420: MEMS Power: Silicon Carbide In-Cylinder Sensor Testing

Sarah Wodin-Schwartz
2010

The long-range goal of the project is to use silicon carbide (SiC) MEMS sensors for in-cylinder measurements. Harsh environment compatible SiC sensors will be used to deliver real time combustion data to a control system, regulating engine-firing timing. A control system can then be used to produce complete fuel combustion in flexible fuel engines.

Project end date: 08/04/10