Wireless, RF & Smart Dust

Research that includes:

  • Tuneable RF components: capacitors, inductors, transformers
  • RF microrelays
  • High frequency MEMS resonators: devices, structures, and processes

BPN814: UHF Capacitive-Gap Transduced Resonators With High Cx/Co

Kieran Peleaux
2021

The project explores methods by which the Cx/Co of UHF capacitive- gap transduced resonators might be increased to above 5% while maintaining Qs 10,000.

BPN795: An Implantable Microsensor for Cancer Surveillance

Kyoungtae Lee
2021

We aim to create an implantable dosimeter for the Crocker Nuclear Laboratory’s proton beam therapy treatment. Currently, there is no closed loop solution to verify the dose treated to a specific in vivo location. By using ultrasound as a communication platform, we aim to enable real time in vivo dose readings to physicians. This can lead to better-localized irradiation treatment of cancer, and minimize irradiation to vital, healthy tissues. This technology could also be calibrated for specific military applications.

Project ended: 05/01/2021

BPN902: Jumping Microrobots for Low-Cost Asteroid Prospecting

Daniel Teal
2021

We are exploring potential applications of our jumping microrobots in space. While our 1.9x1.2x0.06cm robot has previously jumped 3mm (and can theoretically achieve 3cm or much more) in Earth gravity, the same actuator would reach escape velocity in the 6 micro-g gravity of the Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) Bennu, the target of NASAs current OSIRIS-REx sample return mission. This implies it is possible to build a thousand-robot swarm of 1cm^3 1g robot capable of hopping around and measuring an NEA. This is useful because such a swarm is simultaneously lighter (by orders of magnitude) and more...

KSJP10: Ultra-Low Energy Circuits for Distributed Sensor Networks (Smart Dust)

Brett Warneke
Brian Leibowitz
Mike Scott
2003

The goal of this project is to develop an ultra-low energy integrated circuit that will form the core of a self-contained, millimeter scale sensing and communication platform for a massively distributed sensor network. The integrated circuit will contain an integrated sensor, an A/D converter, microprocessor, SRAM, communications circuits, and power control circuits. The IC, together with the sensors, will operate from a power source integrated with the platform.

Project end date: 07/30/03

KSJP26: RF Dust for Human Gestural Interpretation

Benjamin Cook
2003

The goal of this project is to create an intuitive and natural interface mapping human expressions to the digital domain. Applications are limitless, but the focus of this project will be interpreting accelerations produced by human gestures as musical signals to allow realtime musical performance. Aquisition of these high resolution acceleration signals is achieved by square millimeter size MEMS sensing devices.

Project end date: 08/20/03

RTH/TJK2: As-Grown SiGe Thin Film with Low Stress and Low Strain Gradient

Blake C.-Y. Lin
2003

Monolithic integration of MEMS devices with driving and controlling electronics is advantageous for improving performance and lowering cost. Polycrystalline silicon-germanium (poly-SiGe), which has mechanical and electrical properties similar to poly-Si, is a promising candidate for the structural-layer material of post-CMOS integration of MEMS because poly-SiGe can be deposited at much lower temperatures than poly-Si. While low-resistivity poly-SiGe can be easily obtained utilizing in-situ p-type (i.e. boron) doping during deposition, poly-SiGe films deposited at temperatures lower...

LWL13: High Frequency MEMS Resonator for Wireless Communication Applications

Ki Bang Lee
2003

To develop and characterize a high frequency MEMS resonator for wireless communication application with CMOS compatibility. The resonator can tune or adjust its resonant frequency.

Project end date: 01/24/04

RMW27: Chemical Sensing with Smart Dust

Justin Black
Thomas E. Oberheim
2003

We report on the feasibility of coupling electrochemical vapor sensors to the Smart Dust wireless communication platform. Small, sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors, which are available commercially for many chemical vapors, can advantageously be coupled to the Mica motes in a Smart Dust network.

Project end date: 01/25/04

RTH41: Nanoresonator Interface Electronics

Peter (Jeng-Wen) Chen
2003

The output of nanoresonators is often in the form of small currents, in the range of nanoamperes. We will investigate methods to improve the extraction and amplification of these small signals, in the presence of feedthrough and other parasitic effects. With optimized sensing circuits, one can also investigate a variety of ideas utilizing nanoresonator structures. Currently on our list are: 1. Novel methods to minimize feedthrough in nanoresonator structures. 2. HF filters from mechanically-coupled nanoresonators 3. Demonstration of an associative memory from variable coupling of...

KSJP21: Algorithms for Position and Data Recovery in Wireless Sensor Networks

Lance Doherty
2004

The goal of this project is to guide the development of sensor network theory. In this growing field, it is important to intelligently design experiments that explore the capabilities and discover the limitations of data collection from sensor networks. We seek to design quantifiable measures of algorithmic performance, apposite terminology, and paradigmatic perspectives to aid in the development of an information theory.

Project end date: 08/18/04