Electrical Engineering

Part 1 — Sensors - Terminology and definitions (sensors, signals/systems, classifications); static/dynamic characteristics; physical principles (piezoresistivity, piezoelectricity, electrochemical, lossy dielectrics); conditioning circuits; active vs passive sensors. - Laboratory: pressure sensors (polymer foams with GNP), strain sensors (nanocomposites, piezoresistive paints), piezoelectric sensors (d33 test), electrochemical sensors; data acquisition & transfer functions; Arduino projects; machine learning for sensors. Part 2 — Electrical/Electromagnetic Characterization - Complex permittivity: capacitive methods (theory + Matlab code), transmission/reflection with S‑parameters (NRW + iterative variants), open‑ended coaxial probe, waveguide and on‑wafer measurements. - Resistivity: sheet resistance, bulk/surface resistivity, DC percolation. - Shielding: direct/indirect methods (sheet‑R; shielding efficiency in flanged coaxial cell); RAM in free space (RF). - Signal transmission on nano‑interconnects: on‑wafer methods and metrics.

Basic knowledge of electric circuits and electromagnetism.

Teacher's notes

The teaching activity is carried out with: - lectures aimed at introducing different types of sensors, new materials for sensors, measuring methods and instruments - group experiences in the laboratory with the aim of: a) applying the various methods introduced for the electrical/electromagnetic characterization of structured micro/nano materials. b) manufacturing new sensors and characterizing their properties.

Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.

The examination consists of: 1) writing a brief dissertation on a subject related to one or more topics covered during the course or writing a report of a or more laboratory experiences in which the objectives, the activity carried out, the results obtained are described and, in the case of group work, the personal contribution is highlighted. The topics and activities are chosen by the student and agreed with the teacher. Any laboratory activities must be carried out under the supervision of the teacher. 2) an interview during which the student describes with slides (e.g., PowerPoint presentation) the contents of the dissertation or of the laboratory report. The vote (expressed in thirtieths) is calculated on the basis of the quality of the dissertation/report, the presentation and the answers given to the questions asked by the teacher during the interview.

1) Jacob Fraden - Handbook of Modern Sensors Physics, Designs, and Applications - Springer 2) L. F. Chen, et al., Microwave Electronics - Measurement and Materials Characterization, John Wiley & Sons. 3) J. Baker-Jarvis et al., "Transmission/Reflection and Short-Circuit Line Methods for Measuring Permittivity and Permeability," Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol., Tech. Note 1355-R. 4) R. Mavaddat, Network Scattering Parameters, World Scientific. 5) Nanotechnology Measurement Handbook, Keithley.

The teaching activity is carried out with: - lectures aimed at introducing different types of sensors, new materials for sensors, measuring methods and instruments - group experiences in the laboratory with the aim of: a) applying the various methods introduced for the electrical/electromagnetic characterization of structured micro/nano materials. b) manufacturing new sensors and characterizing their properties.

Part 1 — Sensors - Terminology and definitions (sensors, signals/systems, classifications); static/dynamic characteristics; physical principles (piezoresistivity, piezoelectricity, electrochemical, lossy dielectrics); conditioning circuits; active vs passive sensors. - Laboratory: pressure sensors (polymer foams with GNP), strain sensors (nanocomposites, piezoresistive paints), piezoelectric sensors (d33 test), electrochemical sensors; data acquisition & transfer functions; Arduino projects; machine learning for sensors. Part 2 — Electrical/Electromagnetic Characterization - Complex permittivity: capacitive methods (theory + Matlab code), transmission/reflection with S‑parameters (NRW + iterative variants), open‑ended coaxial probe, waveguide and on‑wafer measurements. - Resistivity: sheet resistance, bulk/surface resistivity, DC percolation. - Shielding: direct/indirect methods (sheet‑R; shielding efficiency in flanged coaxial cell); RAM in free space (RF). - Signal transmission on nano‑interconnects: on‑wafer methods and metrics.

Basic knowledge of electric circuits and electromagnetism.

Teacher's notes

The teaching activity is carried out with: - lectures aimed at introducing different types of sensors, new materials for sensors, measuring methods and instruments - group experiences in the laboratory with the aim of: a) applying the various methods introduced for the electrical/electromagnetic characterization of structured micro/nano materials. b) manufacturing new sensors and characterizing their properties.

Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.

The examination consists of: 1) writing a brief dissertation on a subject related to one or more topics covered during the course or writing a report of a or more laboratory experiences in which the objectives, the activity carried out, the results obtained are described and, in the case of group work, the personal contribution is highlighted. The topics and activities are chosen by the student and agreed with the teacher. Any laboratory activities must be carried out under the supervision of the teacher. 2) an interview during which the student describes with slides (e.g., PowerPoint presentation) the contents of the dissertation or of the laboratory report. The vote (expressed in thirtieths) is calculated on the basis of the quality of the dissertation/report, the presentation and the answers given to the questions asked by the teacher during the interview.

1) Jacob Fraden - Handbook of Modern Sensors Physics, Designs, and Applications - Springer 2) L. F. Chen, et al., Microwave Electronics - Measurement and Materials Characterization, John Wiley & Sons. 3) J. Baker-Jarvis et al., "Transmission/Reflection and Short-Circuit Line Methods for Measuring Permittivity and Permeability," Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol., Tech. Note 1355-R. 4) R. Mavaddat, Network Scattering Parameters, World Scientific. 5) Nanotechnology Measurement Handbook, Keithley.

The teaching activity is carried out with: - lectures aimed at introducing different types of sensors, new materials for sensors, measuring methods and instruments - group experiences in the laboratory with the aim of: a) applying the various methods introduced for the electrical/electromagnetic characterization of structured micro/nano materials. b) manufacturing new sensors and characterizing their properties.