Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2017

Mechanical Engineering Bachelor Information
5. Semester
Focus Specialization
Microsystems and Nanoscale Engineering
Focus Coordinator: Prof. Christofer Hierold
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
151-0604-00LMicrorobotics Information W4 credits3GB. Nelson
AbstractMicrorobotics is an interdisciplinary field that combines aspects of robotics, micro and nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and materials science. The aim of this course is to expose students to the fundamentals of this emerging field. Throughout the course students are expected to submit assignments. The course concludes with an end-of-semester examination.
ObjectiveThe objective of this course is to expose students to the fundamental aspects of the emerging field of microrobotics. This includes a focus on physical laws that predominate at the microscale, technologies for fabricating small devices, bio-inspired design, and applications of the field.
ContentMain topics of the course include:
- Scaling laws at micro/nano scales
- Electrostatics
- Electromagnetism
- Low Reynolds number flows
- Observation tools
- Materials and fabrication methods
- Applications of biomedical microrobots
Lecture notesThe powerpoint slides presented in the lectures will be mad available as pdf files. Several readings will also be made available electronically.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe lecture will be taught in English.
151-0619-00LIntroduction to Nanoscale Engineering Restricted registration - show details
This class is strictly only for BSc MAVT student.
W5 credits2V + 3PR. Büchel, V. Mavrantzas, A. Teleki Sotiriou
AbstractNano is the new scale in science & engineering as micro was ~150 years ago. This BSc course demands substantial effort! It gives a flavor of nanotechnology with hands-on student projects on gas-phase synthesis of nanoparticles & applications in catalysis, gas sensing and biomedical engineering. Projects are conducted individually under the close supervision of MSc, PhD or post-doctoral students.
ObjectiveThis course aims to familiarize BSc students with some of the basic phenomena of nanoscale, thereby illustrating the links between physics, chemistry, materials science and/or biology through hands-on experience. Furthermore it aims to give an overview of the field with motivating lectures from industry and academia, including the development of technologies and processes based on or involving nanoscale phenomena. Most importantly, this course aims to develop the creativity and sharpen the communication skills of the students through their individual projects, a PERFECT preparation for the BSc thesis (e.g. efficient & critical literature search, effective oral/written project presentations), the future profession itself and even life, in general, as the abc questions (in the Content below) are always there!
ContentThis is strictly a BSc course. Its objectives are met primarily through the individual student project which may involve experiments, simulations or critical & quantitative reviews of the literature. Therein, a 2-page proposal (15% of the grade) is submitted within the first two semester weeks addressing explicitly, at least, 10 well-selected research articles and thoughtful meetings with the project supervisor. The proposal address 3 basic questions: a) how important is the project; b) what has been done already in that field and c) what will be done by the student. Detailed feedback on each proposal is given by the supervisor, assistant and professor two weeks later. Towards the end of the semester, a 10-minute oral presentation is given by the student followed 10 minutes Q&A (30% of the grade). A 10-page final report is submitted by noon of the last day of the semester (55% of the grade). The project supervisor will provide guidance throughout the course especially when called for by the student. Detailed feedback on each proposal, presentation and final report is given by the supervisor, assistant and professor.

Course lectures will include some, if not all, of the following:
- Overview of Nanotechnology & Project Presentation
- Control of nanoparticle size & structure in the gas-phase
- Multi-scale design of nanomaterial synthesis
- Characterization of nanostructured materials
- Encapsulation technologies for active food ingredients
- Aerosol manufacture of nanoparticles
- Physical Chemistry of Nanoparticles (structure, molecular forces, statistical thermodynamics)
- Thermodynamics of nanoparticles (the basics, thermal stability, nanophases, melting temperature)
- Transport properties of nanoparticles (diffusivity, mobility, settling, adsorption)
- Computer simulations of nanoparticles (from atoms, to primary particles, to agglomerates)
- Thin film coatings
- Cluster beam deposition
- Coaching for proposal & report writing as well as oral presentations
Prerequisites / Notice5th semester student standing in D-MAVT. Students attending this course are expected to allocate sufficient additional time within their weekly lecture schedule in order to successfully conduct the project work. As exceptional effort will be required, having seen "Chasing Mavericks" (2012) by Apted & Henson, "Unbroken" (2014) by Angelina Jolie and, in particular, "The Salt of the Earth" (2014) by Wim Wenders might be helpful and even motivating. These movies show how methodic effort can bring superior and truly unexpected results (e.g. stay under water for 5 minutes to overcome the fear of riding huge waves or merciless Olympic athlete training that help him survive 45 days on a raft in Pacific Ocean followed by 2 years in a Japanese POW camp during WWII).
151-0621-00LMicrosystems I: Process Technology and Integration Information W+6 credits3V + 3UM. Haluska, C. Hierold
AbstractStudents are introduced to the fundamentals of semiconductors, the basics of micromachining and silicon process technology and will learn about the fabrication of microsystems and -devices by a sequence of defined processing steps (process flow).
ObjectiveStudents are introduced to the basics of micromachining and silicon process technology and will understand the fabrication of microsystem devices by the combination of unit process steps ( = process flow).
Content- Introduction to microsystems technology (MST) and micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS)
- Basic silicon technologies: Thermal oxidation, photolithography and etching, diffusion and ion implantation, thin film deposition.
- Specific microsystems technologies: Bulk and surface micromachining, dry and wet etching, isotropic and anisotropic etching, beam and membrane formation, wafer bonding, thin film mechanical properties.
Application of selected technologies will be demonstrated on case studies.
Lecture notesHandouts (available online)
Literature- S.M. Sze: Semiconductor Devices, Physics and Technology
- W. Menz, J. Mohr, O.Paul: Microsystem Technology
- Hong Xiao: Introduction to Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology
- M. J. Madou: Fundamentals of Microfabrication and Nanotechnology, 3rd ed.
- T. M. Adams, R. A. Layton: Introductory MEMS, Fabrication and Applications
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Physics I and II
151-0643-00LStudies on Micro and Nano Systems
Please contact one of the following professors directly:
J. Dual, C. Hierold, B. Nelson, D. Norris, D. Poulikakos, S.E. Pratsinis and A. Stemmer

This course is not available to incoming exchange students.
W+5 credits11AProfessors
AbstractThe students get familiarized with the challenges of the fascinating and interdisciplinary field of Micro- and Nanosystems. They are introduced to the basics of independent non-experimental scientific research and are able to summarize and to present the results efficiently.
ObjectiveThe students get familiarized with the challenges of the fascinating and interdisciplinary field of Micro- and Nanosystems. They are introduced to the basics of independent non-experimental scientific research and are able to summarize and to present the results efficiently.
ContentStudents work independently on a study of selected topics in the field of Micro- and Nanosystems. They start with a selection of scientific papers, and continue with an independent iterature research. The results (e.g. state-of-the-art, methods) are evaluated with respect to predefined criteria. Then the results are presented in an oral presentation and summarized in a report, which takes the discussion of the presentation into account.
LiteratureLiterature will be provided
151-0911-00LIntroduction to PlasmonicsW4 credits2V + 1UD. J. Norris
AbstractThis course provides fundamental knowledge of surface plasmon polaritons and discusses their applications in plasmonics.
ObjectiveElectromagnetic oscillations known as surface plasmon polaritons have many unique properties that are useful across a broad set of applications in biology, chemistry, physics, and optics. The field of plasmonics has arisen to understand the behavior of surface plasmon polaritons and to develop applications in areas such as catalysis, imaging, photovoltaics, and sensing. In particular, metallic nanoparticles and patterned metallic interfaces have been developed to utilize plasmonic resonances. The aim of this course is to provide the basic knowledge to understand and apply the principles of plasmonics. The course will strive to be approachable to students from a diverse set of science and engineering backgrounds.
ContentFundamentals of Plasmonics
- Basic electromagnetic theory
- Optical properties of metals
- Surface plasmon polaritons on surfaces
- Surface plasmon polariton propagation
- Localized surface plasmons

Applications of Plasmonics
- Waveguides
- Extraordinary optical transmission
- Enhanced spectroscopy
- Sensing
- Metamaterials
Lecture notesClass notes and handouts
LiteratureS. A. Maier, Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications, 2007, Springer
Prerequisites / NoticePhysics I, Physics II
151-0135-00LAdditional Case for the Focus Specialization Restricted registration - show details
Exclusive for D-MAVT Bachelor's students in Focus Specialization.
For enrollment, please contact the D-MAVT Student Administration.
W1 credit2AProfessors
AbstractIndependent studies on a defined field within the selected Focus Specialization.
ObjectiveIndependent studies on a defined field within the selected Focus Specialization.
151-0237-00LAdvanced Optical Methods in Nanotechnology Information W4 credits2V + 1UH. Eghlidi
AbstractThe course covers both fundamental optical concepts which are necessary for understanding nano-optical studies, and the principles and design rules of the most common and emerging optical techniques and systems. This course benefits students who want to pursue nanoscopic non-invasive characterizations in various fields such as material sciences, mechanical engineering, micro- and nanofluidics.
ObjectiveIn the first part, students will learn about the necessary topics in optics, basic optical components and their important properties. In the second part, different optical characterization techniques, including optical imaging, spectroscopy and time-correlation measurements, and their applications in nanoscale systems will be studied. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand, modify and design optical systems for various nanoscopic characterizations and studies.
ContentPrinciples of optics (ray optics, beam optics, Fourier optics); Optical devices and components (light sources, fiber, lens, mirror, objective, grating, beam splitter, filter, etc.); Characterization techniques and systems: microscopy (confocal, dark-field, fluorescence, interferrometric scattering, super-resolution, etc.), spectroscopy, time-correlation measurements.
LiteratureDifferent book chapters and articles which will be announced/provided during the course.
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