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Emerging Trends in Microengineering - ELE00137M

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module provides an opportunity to independently explore advanced concepts that underpin the design, fabrication and application of the next generation of micro- and nano-engineered materials, devices and systems.

Professional requirements

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Additional information

ELE00070H is acceptable if pre-requisite module ELE00035I is not completed.

 

 

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • To explore advanced concepts, devices and systems associated with further scaling of devices from the microscale to the nanoscale focussing in particular on the characteristics and properties of nano-electronic, nano-photonic and nano-electromechanical systems

  • To undertake independent reading, literature/information search and critical analysis

  • To undertake a project presentation, including handling technical questions

Graduate skills learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate skills in critically evaluating and synthesising new information based on independent reading and writing concise technical reports appropriate for the target audience

  • To develop advanced skills in designing, delivering and defending engaging presentations on advanced topics, appropriate for the target audience

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

  • Assess the characteristics associated with scaling of electronic, photonic and mechanical devices from the microscale to the nanoscale
  • Assess current and emerging approaches to the fabrication and characterisation of materials and devices fabricated on the nanometre.
  • Undertake independent reading and critical analysis to develop an in-depth understanding of an emerging area of nanotechnology, which could include emerging materials (including 2D, 1D and 0D materials, carbon nanotubes, graphene), emerging concepts in nanomedicine including targeted treatment and personalized diagnostics, emerging nanoelectronics concepts and devices (including spintronics, single electron devices, quantum computation), emerging approaches for nanofabrication (including limitations of current technologies, self-assembly, scanning probe approaches, bio-inspired nanoassembly), bio-nanotechnology/synthetic biology (including biomolecules for information storage and computation, bio-inspired approaches for energy generation)
  • Discuss the societal, economic and environmental opportunities/challenges of micro- and nano-technology


Graduate skills learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Create concise technical reports that critically evaluate and synthesise new information based on research, appropriate for the target audience
  • Design, deliver and defend persuasive technical presentations based on selected reliable evidence to the target audiences" the characteristics associated with scaling of electronic, photonic and mechanical devices from the microscale to the nanoscale
  • Evaluate current and emerging approaches to the fabrication and characterisation of materials and devices fabricated on the nanometre.
  • Undertake independent reading and critical analysis to develop an in-depth understanding of an emerging area of nanotechnology, which could include emerging materials (including 2D, 1D and 0D materials, carbon nanotubes, graphene), emerging concepts in nanomedicine including targeted treatment and personalized diagnostics, emerging nanoelectronics concepts and devices (including spintronics, single electron devices, quantum computation), emerging approaches for nanofabrication (including limitations of current technologies, self-assembly, scanning probe approaches, bio-inspired nanoassembly), bio-nanotechnology/synthetic biology (including biomolecules for information storage and computation, bio-inspired approaches for energy generation)
  • Assess the societal, economic and environmental opportunities/challenges of micro- and nano-technology
  • Be able to construct concise technical reports that critically evaluate and synthesise new information based on research, appropriate for the target audience
  • Be able to design, deliver and defend persuasive technical presentations based on selected reliable evidence to the target audiences

Module content

The module will build on understanding of the fabrication, characterisation and application of microengineered devices to explore further scaling of devices from the microscale to the nanoscale focussing in particular on the characteristics and properties of nano-electronic, nano-photonic and nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS). In addition, the module will explore the challenges facing the characterisation and fabrication of these devices and the consequent emergence of novel nanomaterials, including 2D, 1D and 0D nanomaterials, and the associated development of self-assembly processes to drive system integration.

In addition to technical knowledge, the module aims to develop skills in critically evaluating and synthesising new information and in designing, delivering and defending engaging presentations on advanced topics, appropriate for the target audience.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 70
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 30

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The assessment consists of two parts:

Literature review (70%): You will be supported to identify an area of nanotechnology that aligns with your own interests and write a short (ca. 3000 words max) literature review appropriate for an audience that is scientifically literate but not an expert. The literature review should contextualise the area of interest, critically evaluate key academic texts and discuss future research directions/ capabilities that could emerge from your chosen area of interest.

Presentation (30%): You will design and deliver a short and engaging presentation (ca. 12 min presentation + 3 min. questions) on your chosen area of interest. Again, the presentation will contextualise the chosen area, provide an overview and critical analysis of key texts and a forward look at future areas of research and/or application.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments.

A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Formative feedback:

Emails to the Module Coordinator with Questions / Comments will be answered as soon as possible.

Formative feedback is provided informally during seminars. Students can seek further feedback and ask questions, primarily via the VLE course supporting the module, or by emailing the module leader.

Summative feedback:

Written feedback on coursework will be provided and will include feedback on evidence of critical thinking, completeness and accuracy of technical discussion, and report structure, narrative and style.

Indicative reading

  • The Royal Society and The Royal Academy of Engineering, Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties. The Royal Society, 2004. [Online]. Available: https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/publications/2004/nanoscience-nanotechnologies/
  • M. P. Hughes, Microengineering in biotechnology, 1st ed. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 2010.
  • M. Berger, Nanoengineering: the skills and tools making technology invisible. London, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2019.
  • Carolyn Ren and Abraham Lee, Droplet microfluidics. Cambridge, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2020. Ki Bang Lee, Principles of microelectromechanical systems, 1st ed. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2011.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.