Bourns Hall

Colloquium

Dr. Kimberly L. Turner University of California, Santa Barbara Using nonlinear dynamics for performance enhancement in micro and nano-scale sensors Abstract MEMS and NEMS provide a novel and exciting medium where one can observe and utilize mathematical phenomena not often present in macro-scale systems. By understanding thoroughly the dynamics of resonant MEMS, we can not only predict device behavior to eliminate unwanted effects, but also use nonlinear effects to design better sensors and systems. My talk will center on examples of utilizing and exploiting nonlinear effects to design micro and nano-scale resonant sensors. Parametric Resonance will be emphasized, but other nonlinear phenomena are mentioned. The design of a nonlinear, parametrically resonant mass/chemical sensor will be discussed in detail and preliminary sensor data and noise analysis are discussed. Pressure and temperature sensors using this technology will also be presented. Also covered will be specialized techniques for quantifying nonlinear phenomena in micro and nanoscale systems. Biosketch Kimberly L. Turner a member of the Mechanical Engineering faculty at UC Santa Barbara, where she is currently an Associate Professor. She has been at UCSB since 1999. She received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, and her Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Cornell University, in 1994 and 1999, respectively. Dr. Turner’s interests involve many areas of micro and nano-systems, especially dynamics and characterization, and applications utilizing nonlinear dynamics. Other interests involve the integration of micro and nanoscale components, and the utilization of MEMS to quantify and enhance nanoscale science. Dr. Turner is the recipient of the 1997 Varian fellowship award given by the American Vacuum Society, as well as an NSF graduate research fellowship, the NSF CAREER award, and an NSF/MEXT Young Scientist Fellow. She is a member of the California Nanosystems Institute and the new Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies at UCSB. She is an active member of ASME and IEEE, as well as the ASEE, the American Vacuum Society, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, and the Cornell Society of Engineers. Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Bourns Hall, Room A265 10:10 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (Refreshments will be served at 10:00 a.m.)