PROJECTS
AFFILIATED FACULTY
AFFILIATED LABORATORIES
AFFILIATED CENTERS
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
AFFILIATIONS
- Siemens
- Engelhard
- Kayex
- GTI
- Vacuum Process Technology Inc.
- Inflight
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AUTOMATION, ROBOTICS and CONTROL PROJECTS
Automation
- Automation/controls for biotechnology applications: development of a high through-put DNA array synthesis system, myocite cell isolation system
Technology Areas: Fraunhofer CMI is actively conducting research for the development of systems and equipment for laboratory automation, genomics/proteomics, prosthetics, and microfluidics. Current projects include the development of a high throughput DNA array synthesis system, myocite cell isolation system, and the development of micromachining techniques for the fabrication of optofluidic substrates. Students will be exposed to (and be required to work with) a wide variety of technologies that would significantly improve the state of the art in systems and equipment for biotechnology applications.
Desired Background: Computer control and equipment design experience with some knowledge in biology would be desirable for candidates in this program.
- Automation/controls for semiconductor applications: development of front side automated mask alignment module, backside alignment vision software/machine vision
- Automation/controls for fiberoptic/photonic applications: development of automated fiber preparation and pigtailing system, development of an optical circuit assembly system
Technology Areas: There are several active projects at CMI for the design and development of automation systems for optoelectronic component manufacture. Current projects include the development of a coupler and polarizer fabrication system for fiber-optic gyroscopes, development of a center stripping machine, and development of a system for preparation and insertion of fiber arrays. Students will be required to conceptualize and implement new automation technologies for assembling fiber optic components cost-effectively and reliably.
Desired Background: Computer control and equipment design experience with some knowledge in optics would be desirable for candidates in this program.
Affiliated Faculty:
Andre Sharon, sharon@bu.edu
Affiliated Laboratory:
Fraunhofer USA Center for Manufacturing Innovation
Process Control
- Development of processes for micromachining of optofluidic substrates for integrated bioprocessing
- Process development for the high performance machining of nickel alloys
- Real time control for plasma spray, advanced fuel cell and thermal barrier coatings for advanced engines
Plasma spray is an enabling technology due to its ability to engineer coating structure tailored to different applications, as well as its high production rates and economics. Currently the process is run open-loop relative to the physics that determines critical coating features. No compensation is used for torch aging and run-to-run variations. We have implemented an advanced closed loop control system that enables better engineering of critical coating attributes (such as crack density/orientation) as well as improving process yield. Research work is being conducted in terms of advanced control algorithms, real-time filtering of advanced particle sensors, as well as using this new capability to develop a better understanding of the process-property mapping. Applications include improving performance capabilities for advanced thermal barrier coatings, as well as enabling fuel cell manufacture.
- Control of e-beam deposited optical coatings
E-beam deposition is the workhorse of the optical coating industry due to its ability to economically manufacture 1/4 wavelength stacks used in optical coatings. However, current control capabilities are insufficient for new communications requirements such as for DWDM which have ~100 layers. Improvements are expected to come from new control structure/algorithms based on insight into critical process physics.
- Advanced control for bulk crystal growth
The current practice is to use closed loop control for diameter only where empirical tuning practices make it difficult to develop new process recipes. To aid in the scale up to 300-400 mm. silicon diameter boules, there are significant opportunities in utilizing a new control approach in order to coordinate meeting thermal stress requirements, micro defects, and oxygen distribution. For these large scales, it has become extremely costly to empirically develop the optimized growth conditions. Similarly, for compound semiconductors (InP, GaAs ) used in opto-electronics, additional problems that could benefit from an advanced control system include high dislocation density, twinning, and growth variations. Research includes developing realistic controls orientated models that captures critical system features and nonlinearities, real-time observers for advanced sensing capabilities, development of advanced control approaches including adaptive and model based feedforward control, and experimental data interpretation.
- Real time control of CVD coating microstructure
Affiliated Faculty:
Michael Gevelber, gevelber@bu.edu
Affiliated Laboratory/Center:
Advanced Materials Process Control Laboratory
Center for Information and Systems Engineering (CISE)
Intelligent Machines and Information Based Control
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