An illustration of the prototype design of a microsystem cooler that is being fabricated at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The microsystem cooler is suited mostly to volume-limited applications that require cooling below the ambient or sink temperature. (Image courtesy of NASA Glenn Research Center.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Carol Livermore
Prof. Joel Voldman
MIT Course Number
6.777J / 2.372J
As Taught In
Spring 2007
Level
Graduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
6.777J / 2.372J is an introduction to microsystem design. Topics covered include: material properties, microfabrication technologies, structural behavior, sensing methods, fluid flow, microscale transport, noise, and amplifiers feedback systems. Student teams design microsystems (sensors, actuators, and sensing/control systems) of a variety of types, (e.g., optical MEMS, bioMEMS, inertial sensors) to meet a set of performance specifications (e.g., sensitivity, signal-to-noise) using a realistic microfabrication process. There is an emphasis on modeling and simulation in the design process. Prior fabrication experience is desirable. The course is worth 4 Engineering Design Points.