The Development Of A Micro/Nano Assembly Work Cell Via Microvisual Sensing

The first year of the NSF REU program titled “Micro/nano Assembly Workcell via Micro Visual Sensing” provided a positive learning and research opportunity for 10 junior-level students in the fields of mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, and materials engineering with an emphasis in micro-manufacturing systems. The objective of this program is to provide selected student participants with unique research experiences in a stimulating and collaborating environment so that students will develop a passion for engineering research, which can hopefully trigger further learning and discovery of the micro-manufacturing discipline. Primary research activities have taken place in the areas of micro/nano electro-mechanical system material and structure, micro sensor/actuator system and design, feedback control system for precision assembly, and microrobotic arm kinematics/dynamics and motion control. The intellectual merit comes from student participation in an excellent, multi-disciplinary research program at the forefront of micromanufacturing research to fabricate components at the micro level (i.e. less than 500 οm) for various applications. The student participants in this program not only contributed to the development of micro-manufacturing technology, but their reactions indicate that they are more likely to remain in a technical field. Successful development of the micro-manufacturing system from the project opens endless application opportunities in homeland security, transportation, aerospace, biomedical, advanced manufacturing, and many other commercial applications.