AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course intends to help the student to develop a critical thinking when dealing with electronic sensing systems. The methodological approach concerns different dimensional scales, starting from the microscopic structure of materials up to the macroscopic behavior of complex sensing structures. Tactile sensing will be used as a model to study sensing systems where electronics and mechanics are inextricably integrated to determine sensor response to the external stimulus. The aim is to provide the student with some concrete tools for the analysis, modeling and characterization of such systems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide basic knowledge of physics and mechanics associated with materials, to be used as building blocks for sensors. The module also aims to deepen the relationship between structure and properties of functional and structural materials to be integrated into complex structures for sensors, because this relationship is necessary to understand the operating mechanisms of sensors to be correlated with design aspects.

For the students to become more sensitive to innovative aspects, the module will provide know-how on current and cutting-edge topics such as tactile sensors and flexible and extensible electronics.

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

Some labs will be included to train with the ANSYS software for finite element modeling, followed by simple individual projects.

Attendance and active participation in the proposed training activities (lectures and labs) and individual study will allow the students to:

- Understand: the behavior of functional and structural materials, the structure of an electronic measurement device, experimental characterization techniques in the sensor field.

- Shape their mind: Development of a critical forma mentis in dealing with the study of electronic systems based on sensors and observed on different dimensional scales.

- Design and model a simple tactile sensing system.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures held by the teacher.

Lab sessions are also planned to familiarize the student with the use of multiphysics modeling (software ANSYS). 

Required activities to the students:

Class attendance strongly recommended

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.

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).

Materials for electronics and sensors

• W. D. Callister, D.G. Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 2015.
• Smith & Hashemi, Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, Mc Graw Hill

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

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

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final grade will be determined by the outcomes of a written exam, including both multiple choice tests and open questions, and practical exercises assigned during the year. 

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it ), the School's disability liaison.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment will be based on:

1) Lab assignments. The goal is to evaluate the ability of properly exploiting the theoretical contents introduced in the lectures.

2) Written exam. The goal is to evaluate the levels of comprehension of the theoretical contents introduced in the lessons. The exam includes both multiple choice tests and open questions.

The assessment of competences is certified in a progressive fashion: 
- a group of baseline questions aims to verify the minimal contents required to pass the exam (18-22)
- a group of reference tests aims to validate the expected average of competence and notions (23-28)
- a group of challenging questions highlights the acquisition of original and high-level skills (29-30 e Lode)

Exam schedule