AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims:

This course aims to provide the basic knowledge of physics and mechanics associated with materials and devices in order to understand the sensing mechanism and technology driving sensor design.

The student will be also trained to be sensitive to application and innovation aspects. Know-how will be provided in more specific domains such as tactile sensing and on emerging technologies such as flexible, stretchable and wearable electronics based on devices at nano and micro scales.

The case study of tactile sensors will be used as a model.

Learning Outcomes:
- Remember: Learning of basic and innovative manufacturing techniques and experimental characterization in the field of sensors.
- Shaping mind: Development of a critical forma mentis in dealing with the study of electronic systems based on sensors and observed on different dimensional scales
- Create: Ability to design and model a simple tactile sensing system.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures with slides and board explanations -- Theory
IMPORTANT: For a subset of lectures, I will request a different student each time to take notes for later submission. If an oral exam is required, the lecture for which notes were submitted will not be a topic of discussion. 

Labs:

• Multiphysics FEM simulations (4 labs, 8h) – using a finite element multiphysics simulator (ANSYS) to model simple sensor and actuator systems. 2 OPTIONAL home exercises are planned (max 2 bonus points per exercise).
• Tactile application (2 labs, 4h) – experimental data acquisition and processing from tactile sensors using Labview software for data control and acquisition (mandatory report).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Topics:

• Materials for electronics and sensors.
• Simple examples of semiconductor optoelectronic devices.
• Electromechanical transduction.
• Case study: tactile sensors.
• Introduction on flexible and stretchable electronics.

Some modeling sessions with ANSYS for finite element analysis symulations will be also proposed, which will be followed by an individual project by the student.

This teaching, dealing with topics of scientific-technological interest such as electronic systems based on sensors with applications related to health in terms of rehabilitation and prevention, contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda:
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, especially developing countries, to anticipate, reduce and manage health-related risks, both nationally and globally
8.2 Achieve higher standards of economic productivity through diversification, technological progress and innovation, also with particular attention to high value-added and labour-intensive sectors
9.5 Increase scientific research, enhance the technological capabilities of the industrial sector in all states - especially in developing states - as well as encourage innovations and substantially increase, by 2030, the number of employees for every million people, in the research and development sector and expenditure on research – both public and private – and on development
Furthermore, the specific teaching method, which stimulates active participation and critical thinking of male and female students through open discussions and exercises in pairs, and the use of an inclusive language which facilitates the development of open and sensitive thinking vs needs of others, contribute to the achievement of objectives 4 - QUALITY EDUCATION and 5 - GENDER EQUALITY.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• PPT Presentations provided by teacher

Semiconductor Physics

• K. Krane, Modern Physics, Wiley & Sons (1996).

Processes and microfabrication and characterization technologies 

• B. Bhushan, Springer Handbook of Nanotechnology, New York: Springer, 2010.

Materials for electronics and sensors

• W. D. Callister, D.G. Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 2015.

Flexible and stretchable electronics based on devices at nano- and micro- scales

• T. Someya, Stretchable Electronics, 2011.
• Tutorials on flexible / stretchable electronics:
  1. https://youtu.be/u_2YRTmOTWQ
  2. https://www.sophia.org/tutorials/wearable-flexible-electronics-basics

Applications: Wearable electronic systems

• Katsuyuki Sakuma, Flexible, wearable and stretchable Electronics (2020)
• https://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/bionics/bionic-skin-for-a-cyborg-you

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LUCIA SEMINARA (President)

MICHELE CHIABRERA

MAURIZIO VALLE

ERMANNO FABIO DI ZITTI (President Substitute)

DANIELE GROSSO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/8732/p/studenti-orario

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

- Report on Sensors Labs + Oral Exam (+ 2 OPTIONAL ANSYS reports)
- Alternatively: 2 intermediate written tests as an alternative to the oral exam
  April 15, Classroom B0, time to be determined (8-10 or 10-12)
  May 27, Classroom A5, time to be determined (8-10 or 10-12)

• The exam is passed if both grades are ≥16 and the average is ≥ 18.
• Passing only one of the two written tests still replaces the oral exam for that part.
• If you wish to improve the written exam grade, you can request to take the oral exam. However, it's important to note that opting for the oral exam also carries the potential risk of lowering the grade from the written exam.

Constraints:

• The opportunity to take the oral exam to improve the written exam grade is limited to a maximum of two attempts.
• A minimum period of one month must elapse between the first and second oral exams.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The evaluation of the candidate preparation will be carried out on the basis of the ability to present the topics covered in the course and the ability to solve a simple design problem through one's own individual project. Furthermore, the student's ability to grasp critical aspects and cultural links in the addressed topics will be taken into account.
The evaluation parameters will be the quality of the presentation, the correct use of the specialized vocabulary and the ability for critical thinking, even in relation to the specific individual project.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or learning disorders (e.g., DSA) can request special exam modalities, which will be defined individually with the "Referente per Ingegneria del Comitato di Ateneo per il supporto agli studenti disabili e con DSA". The interested students are invited to contact the teacher and the "Referente per Ingegneria" (https://unige.it/commissioni/comitatoperlinclusionedeglistudenticondisabilita.html), without sending documents about their disability.