MEMS and Sensors
Our group focusses on innovative technologies combining MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), nanotechnology and smart materials. We are a major participant in multi-disciplinary research teams in this field based at Newcastle University with collaborative research with the Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Institute of Cellular Medicine, the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, and with access to the University's own fabrication facilities as well as extensive laboratories. Areas of specialist expertise include:
- Design, manufacture and characterisation of physical and biological MEMS, examples include gyroscopes and resonant based mass sensing
- Optical characterisation methods including laser-doppler vibrometry, white light interferometry and Raman spectroscopy
- Control schemes and electronics development
- Vibration modelling, measurement and analysis
- Silicon carbide high temperature MEMS
- Thick-film piezoelectric vibration sensors
NEXUS is the UK's National EPSRC XPS Users' Service, hosted at Newcastle University. XPS, or X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, is one of the principal methods of probing the composition and electronic structure of surfaces, with an increasing number of research applications in electronics, semiconductor physics, novel materials and biomaterials, surface chemistry and functionalisation, sensor surfaces, adhesion, abrasion and tribology. To find out more go to NEXUS.