Microfabrication and/or simulation of inductive levitation micro-actuator transporter system

  • Type:Master Thesis or Internship
  • Supervisor:

    M.Sc. Emil Mamleyev

  • Field of Study:

    Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, physics

Job description

Electromagnetic levitation is defined as the stable or indifferent equilibrium of a body without material contact to its surrounding environment, which is reached by means of stored electromagnetic energy inducing, in turn, the ponderamotive forces acting on the levitated body and equilibrating the gravitational forces. Electromechanical systems implement the principle of electromagnetic levitation on a micro-scale is referred as levitation microsystems.

Levitation microsystems provides solutions in overcoming the domination of friction over inertial forces at the micro-scale. Thus, the levitation microsystems are very attractive for applications in micro-inertial-sensors, micro-motors, micro-actuators switches, micro-accelerators, particle traps, digital micro-fluidics, nano-force sensors, micro-transporters, micro-bearings and etc.

In our research group in the Institute for Microstructure Technology (IMT), we focus on the on the developing of a 2D array for cooperative hybrid levitation micro-actuators for supporting the levitation of arbitrary shaped objects, performing their linear and angular positioning and transportation.

Links to YouTube videos of micro-devices based on inductive levitation developed by our group:


Transporter: https://youtu.be/jaAMS0B70OA


Hybrid levitation micro-actuator: https://youtu.be/KzcJV2cSFrY

This master project will involve tasks including:

  • Design of 2D arrays of the micro-actuators;
  • Fabrication of 2D arrays of the micro-actuators using microfabrication technology (photolithography, RIE, electroplating, etc.);
  • Fabrication and functionalization into micro-actuators;
  • Characterisation of fabricated arrays with white light interferometry, impedance spectroscopy;
  • Characterization arrays of inductive levitation micro-actuators;
  • Modelling of non-conventional arrangements of micro-arrays;
  • Computation of the mutual inductance and system stiffness via in-house developed MATLAB code

You will be part of a larger team within the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), which offers you the possibility to fabricate and test the devices, and gives you the opportunity to co-author conference and/or journal publications.

Starting date: as soon as possible

Contract duration: 6 - 9 months

Qualification:

  • Field of study: Maschinenbau, Elektrotechnik, Physik
  • Good academic record;
  • Fluent English, good communication and presentation skills;
  • Knowledge/experience in programing, in particular, MatLAB;
  • Interest in electro-mechanics, and levitation micro-actuators;
  • Candidate should reside in Germany/EU;
  • Enthusiasm to work independently in multidisciplinary, multicultural environment.

Technical Contact

M.Sc. Emil Mamleyev
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Institute of Microstructure Technology
P.O. Box 3640
76021 Karlsruhe

phone: +49 721 608-29306
e-mail: emil mamleyev does-not-exist.kit edu