Ronald A. Coutu, Jr., Ph.D., P.E.
Professor of Electrical Engineering
V. Clayton Lafferty Endowed Chair
(414) 288-72316
Marquette University
Opus College of Engineering
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering Hall 248
1637 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Low-Cost, Zero-Power, Pressure Sensing using Micromachined Membranes
/0 Comments/in Research Projects /by Ronald CoutuNematic Liquid Crystal Composite Materials for DC and RF Switching
/0 Comments/in Research Projects /by Ronald CoutuProject by Mohiuddin Munna Liquid Crystals (LC) are widely used in displays, electro-optic modulators, and optical switches. In these types of devices, an electric field is applied which modulates the optical properties of the LC material. It is attractive for its low power consumptions. Opto-electronic devices and switches made from LC materials consume comparatively less power than […]
MEMS based Gas Sensing
/0 Comments/in Research Projects /by Ronald CoutuProject by Turja Nandy
In this project, we will introduce MEMS membrane-based photo-acoustic (PA) detection system for a hazardous gas sensing application with high accuracy and low cost. We will use thin and deformable micro-machined SOI membrane to detect the acoustic vibration created via light-gas interaction inside the PA chamber. In this work, firstly, we will analyze the theory behind photo-acoustic phenomena and pressure change inside gas chambers for proper modeling of a MEMS membrane. Then, we will fabricate the MEMS membrane and prepare the whole optical experimental set-up with a LED-based infrared (IR) light source and detector according to the absorption spectra of target gases. Finally, we will detect the membrane deflection caused by acoustic vibrations and pressure change through a white light interferometer. These deflection values will give the sensitivity towards the particular gas.