Bachelor Theses

In this project, you will develop new tissue mimicking materials to use in ultrasonic experimental characterization, in order to reproduce a realistic sensing environment in-vitro. You will also have the opportunity to learn acoustic characterization techniques applied to MEMS and implantable sensors, while working betwen ETH Zurich and EMPA Dubendorf.

The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to develop a new passive implantable sensor based on acoustics interrogation, with the ultimate goal to estimate the early on-set of the disease and improve patients’ life.

Optimizing conditions for synthesis of single walled carbon nanotubes utilizing CVD systems localized at the Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center in Rüschlikon/Zürich. Characterization of SWNTs.

Optimizing conditions for synthesis of single walled carbon nanotubes from ferritin precursors embedded in amorphous carbon film utilizing CVD systems localized at the Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center in Rüschlikon/Zürich.

Optimization of deposition and evaporation condition of specific material (for example pNBA = p-nitrobenzoic acid) forming submicroscopic particles on as-grown SWNTs. Localization of CNTs by optical microscopy.
Electrical characterization of CNFET devices fabricated from SWNTs pre-localized by optical microscopy imaging.

Characterization of SWNTs synthetized by a CVD process on MEMS chips by Raman spectroscopy utilizing multiple laser wavelengths. Determination of presence of DWNTs, bundles and individual SWNTs as well as their characteristics and quality.

Development of a toolchain based on COMSOL and Matlab to simulate the modulation of charge transport in carbon nanotube sensors due to mechanical or chemical effects.

SWNT decoration by preselected nanoparticle types and determination of the impact of the material onto nanotube characteristics and CNFET performance.

The thermal actuators have been fabricated already using standard microfabrication technology. The current-strain characteristics need to be calibrated using SEM optical methods as well as numerical methods (COMSOL)

Type: Setup design, experimental
The overall goal of this project is the development of an artificial robotic skin with sensing capabilities. We build artificial fingertips, which are used in robotic applications. For the integration of the sensing capabilities into the fingertips we need an enhanced silicone spray coating setup.

Keywords: Artificial robotic finger, flex‐lines, electrical resistance, long term testing Motivation
The overall goal of this project is the development of an artificial robotic skin which integrates tactile sensing capabilities into an artificial finger. More than 100 sensing units, electrically connected by flex‐lines, are distributed in an array over the finger. The sensors as well as the flex‐lines are subject to various mechanical loads throughout thelifetime of the finger.