Preface

This book explores the control of systems on small length scales. Research and development for microand nanoscale science and technology has grown quickly over the last decade, particularly in the areas of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidics, nanoelectronics, bio-nanotechnologies, nanofabrication, and nanomaterials. However, to date, control theory has played only a small role in the advancement of this research. As we know from the technical progression of macroscale intelligent systems, such as assembly robots and fly-by-wire aircraft, control systems can maximize system performance and, in many cases, enable capabilities that would otherwise not be possible. We expect that control systems will play a similar enabling role in the development of the next generation of microand nanoscale devices, as well as in the precision instrumentation that will be used to fabricate and measure these devices. In support of this, each chapter of this book provides an introduction to an application of microand nanotechnologies in which control systems have already been shown to be critical to its success. Through these examples, we aim to provide insight into the unique challenges in controlling systems at small length scales and to highlight the benefits in merging control systems and microand nanotechnologies. We conceived of this book because we saw a strong need to bring the control systems and microand nanosystems communities closer together. In our view, the intersection between these two groups is still very small, impeding the advancement of active, precise, and robust microand nanoscale systems that can meet the demanding requirements for commercial, military, medical, and consumer products. As an example, we attend conferences for both the control systems and microand nanoscale science and technology communities and have found the overlap between attendees to be marginal; maybe in the tens of people. Our hope is that this book will be a step toward rectifying this situation by bridging the gap between these two communities and demonstrating that concrete benefits for both fields can be achieved through collaborative research. We also hope to motivate the next generation of young engineers and scientists to pursue a career at this intersection, which offers all of the excitement, frustration, and eventual big rewards that an aspiring researcher could want.