To study the underlying physical principles, methods of fabrication and applications of a broad range of micro- and nano-scale devices and systems.

After attending the course students should (a) have detailed knowledge of the operation of micro- and nano-scale devices, their applications and the technologies used to fabricate them, and (b) be able to analyse & design a range of devices using relevant mechanical/electrical engineering principles.

(1) Introduction: micro- and nano-scale size domains; scaling of physical laws; MEMS materials and processes; MEMS devices and applications; nanostructures in semiconductors and metals; introduction to quantum effects in nanostructures; nanostructure applications.

(2) Fabrication Technologies: semiconductor materials; photolithography; doping; thin film growth and deposition; metallisation; wet and dry etching; silicon micromachining; metal MEMS processes; nanofabrication methods – submicron optical lithography; electron beam lithography.

(3) MEMS Sensors and Actuators: mechanics including elasticity, beam bending theory, membranes/plates; microactuators based on various principles e.g. electrothermal, electrostatic, electromagnetic, piezoelectric and SMA; actuator applications e.g. inkjet, electrical and optical switching; physical sensors e.g. acceleration, strain, flow; chemical sensors.

(4) Microfluidics: scaling laws for microfluidics; transport in micro-channels; microfluidic components e.g. filters, mixers/reactors, valves/controllers, pumps.

(5) Grown Nanostructures: Si nanowires and nanocrystals; carbon nanotubes; nanostructures in III-V materials; metal nanostructures; devices using grown nanostructures.

(6) Nanoelectronic Semiconductor Devices: the nano-scale MOSFET; short channel effects in a nano-MOSFET; ‘scaling’ of MOSFETs; scaling of semiconductor memory (FLASH and Random Access memory); bio-sensors.

(7) Quantum Devices in Nanostructures: electron tunnelling; quantum confinement effects; single-electron effects; ballistic transport; optical properties of nanostructures; quantum dots; quantum point contacts; single-electron transistor; single-electron memory and logic.