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Multidisciplinary Applications I

Code: 102729
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Electronic Engineering for Telecommunication OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Núria Barniol Beumala
Email :
nuria.barniol@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Gabriel Abadal Berini
Núria Barniol Beumala

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have obtained the competences of the subjects of the previous courses

Objectives

The general objective of the course is to apply electronics as a support technology in other fields and activities, and not just in the field of Information Technology and Communications.

It is intended that the student knows and deepens in the design, manufacture and characterization of micro and nanosystems as sensors and actuators for applications in different areas (sensors / actuators, physical, chemical and biological field).

 

The specific objectives will be:

1) To know and analyze the different types of microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical elements (materials, principles of transduction, basic structures, techniques of actuation and detection)

2) Know the techniques of simulation-modeling, design-manufacturing and characterization for micro-nanosystems.

3) Know the different fields of application of MEMS / NEMS and study specific examples

4) Apply the concepts of electronics to design new devices and systems based on micro and nanosystems.

Learning outcomes

  1. Identify the applicable legislation in the development of a specifically applied electronic system
  2. Identify the causes of environmental impact of a specifically applied electronic system.
  3. Estimate the potential economic and social impact of an electronic system.
  4. Concisely present in Spanish, Catalan and English the design process of an electronic system, from the design phase to the results and implementation.
  5. On a systematic level, deal with the design process of a specific electronic application.
  6. Apply electronic energy transformation control systems, especially to the field of renewable energy.
  7. Conceive and design bioelectronic systems in an environment of multidisciplinary cooperation.
  8. Conceive and design micro-nano // electromechanical systems
  9. Develop critical thinking and reasoning.
  10. Develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.
  11. Develop scientific thinking.
  12. Develop systemic thinking.
  13. Work autonomously.
  14. Develop independent learning strategies.
  15. Manage available time and resources. Work in an organised manner.
  16. Prevent and solve problems.
  17. Make one's own decisions.
  18. Adapt to unforeseen situations.
  19. Work in complex or uncertain surroundings and with limited resources.
  20. Critically evaluate the work done.
  21. Work cooperatively.
  22. Assume and respect the role of the different members of a team, as well as the different levels of dependency in the team.
  23. Identify, manage and resolve conflicts.
  24. Adapt to multidisciplinary and international surroundings.
  25. Communicate efficiently, orally and in writing, knowledge, results and skills, both professionally and to non-expert audiences.
  26. Efficiently use ICT for the communication and transmission of ideas and results.
  27. Use English as a language of communication and as the reference in professional relations.
  28. Assume social, ethical, professional and legal responsibility, if applicable, derived from professional exercise.
  29. Respect diversity in ideas, people and situations.
  30. Contribute to society's welfare and to sustainable development.
  31. Maintain a proactive and dynamic attitude with regard to one's own professional career, personal growth and continuing education. Have the will to overcome difficulties.
  32. Develop curiosity and creativity.
  33. Generate innovative and competitive proposals in professional activity.
  34. Manage information by critically incorporating the innovations of one's professional field, and analysing future trends.

Contents


PART I. Technologies of energy harvesting (2/3 course)

1. Introduction to energy harvesting technologies and the concepts of \"ultralow power consumption\" (ULP), \"Zeropower\", \"wireless sensor network\" (WSN).

2. Introduction to the different types of collectors according to the different sources of energy.

3. Introduction to mechanical energy collectors. Mechanical block: resonant cantilever. Transducer block: piezoelectric element. SPICE model.

4. Design and simulation of a mechanical energy collector (LABORATORY)

5. Implementation and characterization of a mechanical energy collector (LABORATORY)

 

Part II: Microelectromechanical systems in portable devices (1/3 subject)

1. Introduction to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS): classification and description.

2. MEMS in mobile devices: typologies and market trends.

3. Specific cases: inertial sensors (accelerometers), biometric sensors (fingerprints) and RF MEMS.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
laboratory work 12 0.48 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 27, 31
Preparation and edition of the written reports 44 1.76 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 34
Seminars 15 0.6 1, 4, 5, 10, 12, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 33, 34
Study for the assimilation of concepts 44 1.76 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 27, 34
Theoretical classes 20 0.8 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 25, 27, 30, 32, 33, 34

In this subject of the degree, sensors and actuators will be developed, emphasizing especially those for multidisciplinary applications, giving a different vision to the students. The methodology will be based on learning from projects, so students will be offered a certain problem (specific case) that will have to be resolved throughout the course.

To achieve the objectives the training activities include:

Theoretical classes Explanation by the teacher of the basic concepts depending on the specific case to be resolved

Seminars: discussion and analysis of aspects to be solved and raised according to the specific case.

Laboratory classes. practical works in the specific laboratory according to the case to be resolved. Part of these work will include the use of simulation tools

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Active Participation 10% 1 0.04 5, 6, 8, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 33, 34
Oral Presentation or written report of one of the cases 35% 4 0.16 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34
Laboratory written report 30% 6 0.24 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 32, 33
Partial written exams 25% 4 0.16 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 25, 34


The evaluation of the subject will have 4 different sections:

a) 1 partial written test of the subject (25%), and with a grade above 4 to make an average with the rest of the grades. This test can be recovered in the final exam of recovery of the subject, requiring a 4 to make an average.

b) Oral or written presentation of one of the cases worked on in the second part of the subject. Compulsory and non-recoverable activity (35%).

c) The practices, which are mandatory attendance, will have a final weight of 30%. The evaluation will be done with:

Written report of the work developed in the laboratory, especially valuing the interpretation and discussion of the results in comparison with those expected theoretically and/or simulated (30%). This work is mandatory and recoverable. To recover/improve the grade of the written laboratory report, a second deadline will be set (announced in the subject's Moodle Classroom) to review and respond to the corrections that the teacher has made on the first version of the original work.

d) Active participation in the course activities (10%), with the possibility of an oral exam or questionnaire to individually assess participation).


The \"Not assessable\" grade will only be awarded if the student does not participate in any activity with assessment (attendance at laboratory sessions, oral presentation, exams).


To obtain an Honors Grade (which can be given to 5% of the number of students enrolled), it will be necessary to have grades above 9 in all sections or with a final average higher than 9.2


This subject/module does not provide for the single assessment system.


For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as literature or information search, text correction, translation, and assistance in the writing and presentation of assignments. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in assessed activities will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in partial or full penalties in the grade for the activity.

Bibliography

Antony, Aldrin, P. P. Subha, and M. K. Jayaraj, eds. Energy Harvesting and Storage : Fundamentals and Materials / Edited by M. K. Jayaraj, Aldrin Antony, and P. P. Subha. Gateway East, Singapore: Springer, 2022. Print. ebook i online.

Erturk, Alper, and D. J Inman. Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Alper Erturk, Daniel J. Inman. 1st ed. Chichester: Wiley, 2011. Print. ebook i online.

Sensors, Actuators and their interfaces: a multidisciplinary introduction. Ida, N. 978-1-61353-006-1 (2020), eBook

Analysis and design principles of MEMS devices. Minhang, Bao. ISBN: 978-0-444-51616-9, (2005), eBook

Understanding MEMS : Principles and Applications, Luis Castañer, Willey, ISBN: 978-1-119-05542-6 (2015), eBook -MEMS Mechanical Sensors (Artech House microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) series), Steve Beeby et al. ISBN: 978-1-58053-536-6 (2004), eBook

Practical MEMS. Ville Kaajakari. Small Gear Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-9822991-0-4 (2009)

Microsystems Design. S.D. Senturia. Kluwer Academic Publishers (2001).

Fundamentals of Microfabrication. The Science of Miniaturization (2nd edition). M.J. Madou. CRC Press, (2002).

Sensors. Vol.7. . W. Göpel, J. Hesse, J.N. Zemel. Wiley-VCH.

Mechanical Sensors- Sensors (Update). Vol.4. H. Baltes, W. Göpel, J. Hesse. Wiley-VCH

Resonant MEMS, O.Brand, I.Dufour, S,M.Heinrich, F.Josse, Wiley-VCH, AMN collection, (2015)

Silicon Sensors and Actuators, Editor: B.Vigna et al. Springer Nature, 2022, https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-80135-9#author, eBook

Software

Pspice student version

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 321 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 321 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 321 Catalan first semester morning-mixed