Micro-size Tools Subject of Research Center
Friedrich
and students Michigan Tech is collaborating in an unprecedented engineering partnership
involving the University of Michigan, Michigan State, and 20 corporations.
Researchers will focus on developing minuscule devices that can help predict
the weather and restore hearing to the deaf.
Major funding from the National Science Foundation established the Engineering
Research Center for Wireless Integrated Microsystems. The University of
Michigan serves as lead institution and the center has a $60 million budget
over 10 years. Michigan Tech should receive between $5 million and $10
million during the project.
Craig Friedrich, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is the
center's technical leader at Michigan Tech. Friedrich specializes in the
field of miniaturization, particularly developing microscopic cutting
tools.
Among its first projects, the center will design and build a "smart"
tool to use in implanting a new cochlear implant. The surgical implants
bypass injured portions of the ear, but have the sound quality of a fading
AM radio station.
The researchers plan to more than quadruple the stimulating electrodes
to improve the quality, but continue to use a tiny package. "Our
job is to package them in something a little over an inch long and about
the thickness of five sheets of paper," Friedrich said.
Michigan Tech will also develop housings for miniature environmental
sensors to be used just about anywhere.
"A worker could have one of these sensors on a wrist-watch to determine
if there were releases of hazardous chemicals," Friedrich said, "or
a child could wear it and find out if they were near something that would
bring on an asthma attack."
Or microsensors the size of a sugar cube could be placed anywhere to
relay information on barometric pressure, temperature, or other weather
data.
The challenge is to develop housings to hold various types of sensors
and protect the microelectronics inside from potentially harsh environments
outside.
The center will also be involved in science and math education at the
high school, community college, and university levels; developing course
materials, experiments, and internship experiences. The three universities
will offer the nation's first master's degree in integrated microsystems,
both on the campuses and through distance education.
This was one of two National Science Foundation engineering research
centers funded during this cycle from among 90 proposals. Michigan Tech
dean of engineering Bob Warrington says, "It gives us a really strong
base on which to grown our microtechnology program, and it should also
complement our biotechnology and information technology areas."
The project is expected to include researchers from engineering departments
and sciences and arts.
This article appeared
in the January 2001 issue of the Alumnus magazine, Dean
Woodbeck, editor.
in his nano-lab.