Please join us on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in E7-7363 (Faculty Hall) for Dr. Alaaeldin Ahmed’s seminar on “Noise-Aware Sensors”. Dr. Ahmed is a post-doctoral fellow currently working with Professor Abdel-Rahman.
Abstract:
Intrinsic noise processes impose fundamental limitations upon the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of MEMS & NEMS sensors. Typically, noise suppression and/or higher actuation levels have been used to increase the SNR. The former imposes stringent operating conditions, such as working in vacuum and at extremely low temperatures. The latter is limited by the power handling capacity of the sensor.
We propose a paradigm shift that turns noise from an impediment to a constituent component of the sensor. We present proof-of-concept noise-driven sensors that operate without external actuation. A resonant sensor is deployed to `colour' the intrinsic thermal bath energy. Quantitative changes in the magnitude of the resonant peak are observed for stimuli that affect the thermal noise level, such as temperature or pressure, while shifts in the resonant frequency are observed for stimuli that affect the structural stiffness or mass.
We demonstrate pressure and temperature noise-driven sensors offering an opportunity to deliver practical NEMS sensors that function at room temperature and under ambient pressure. Beyond that, we foresee extending this concept to noise-aware sensors that exploit noise in linear and nonlinear regimes and seek to utilize statistically stationary noise processes throughout the frequency domain.
There will be time for questions and answers after the seminar, and time to mingle and chat with your fellow students. We’ll be providing coffee and cookies as well.
If you are unable to attend in person, we will be streaming the seminar online and will be accepting questions from our online attendees.