Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) 2020: Prof. Dr. Uwe Marschner (#UM2)

Format

Synchronous and asynchronous (lecture, seminar + consultation, practical training).
A textbook and an exercise book with written-out solutions and executable simulation files, e.g. for the free and easy-to-understand software LTspice: decay resonance of a resonator, vibrating element angular rate sensor, piezoelectric buzzer, bass reflex system, tuning fork, chaos generator; ANSYS (via remote desktop environment): tuning fork; VHDL-AMS (personal computer): pressure sensor with CAN bus interface; Octave/Matlab (personal computer): digital filter and more available online.

Keywords

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Description

The course during the online semester
Lectures (Prof. Marschner): Recorded online lectures + PowerPoint slides with voiceover commentary for the lecture “Electro-Mechanical Networks”

Practical (Dipl.-Ing. Petko Bakardjiev): I solved practical exercises from the exercise book and responded to questions in a live stream from the office. Students could see the accompanying notes via a webcam that was pointed at a piece of paper. Since the office is equipped with a computer, I could also demonstrate sample calculations using the simulation tool, further enriching the media mix. Examples from actual research were presented alongside the practical exercises, clearly highlighting the topicality and applicability of these exercises. Students could (and should have) conducted all accompanying simulations on their personal computers.

ANSYS simulation practical training (Dipl.-Ing. Philipp Mehner): During the past few years, the practical training took place in the computer pool at the ZIH. Since it was closed this semester, the ZIH hooked up multiple servers with enough computing power to support about 30 highly equipped remote desktops connected in parallel. Not only was new hardware set up, but licensing and access issues were cleared up so that students could work from home – all within 3 months. The practical training was live streamed and students were able to simultaneously create their own simulation models on their computers. They could share their desktop screens, enabling me to clear up any individual questions. The remote desktop environment facilitated independent study, as the students could use it at any time of day. The work they submitted throughout the semester to show how they arrived at their solutions clearly demonstrated an improvement in quality. We hope to continue to use this method of teaching and learning post-pandemic, since it offers the students a great degree of freedom, particularly in reviewing the exercises and their solutions.

Objectives of the course (from OPAL): Upon completion of the module, students will have the necessary fundamental methodological and practical knowledge to draft and analyze the dynamic behavior of electro-mechanical and electro-magnetic systems. They will also have knowledge of the function and modeling of reversible electro-mechanical converters in sensors and actuators. They will know how to define parameters with finite element methods and be familiar with the methodology for combining the procedures using virtual editing components. The students will be able to apply the clear and descriptive procedures for analyzing electric networks, improve their physical understanding, develop physically different closed subsystems and create simulations using design software, e.g. SPICE.

Content (from OPAL): The module presents a model of the collective circuitry of linked multi-physical subsystems and simulates the behavior thereof. Students learn to analyze simple mechanical, magnetic, fluid (acoustic), electric and linked systems and their interactions. Complex problems regarding the design-related optimization of electro-magnetic systems’ dynamic behavior can be resolved by combining the network simulation of electro-mechanical systems with the finite element method.

Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Uwe Marschner

Voting ID

#UM2