Computational Synthesis of Microsystems

Research Theme: Computational Design

In the last few decades research in computational design synthesis has addressed the problem of automating the generation of solutions to design tasks. The aim is not to entirely automate the design process, but rather to develop generative computational tools that provide assistance to designers in exploring innovative and most beneficial design alternatives and propose new solutions that go beyond their own expertise and experience.

Motivation

The design of microsystems (or MEMS) is still often by trial and error, offering potential for using a computational synthesis tool to guide designers.

Objectives

  • Define a new flexible computational method for the synthesis of multi-domainsystems
  • Find innovative design solutions to design tasks

Method

The method introduced combines a multicriteria generate-and-test search algorithm, called Burst, with a Connected Node System (CNS) design representation and provides automatic links to multiphysics simulation for quantitative evaluation of design performance throughout the synthesis process.

Findings

Preliminary applications of the method to the synthesis of microresonators and micro-compliant mechanisms confirmed the reliability and flexibility of the method. The extension of the method to the synthesis of bulk acoustic mode microresonators is under investigation.

Acknowledgements

  • Philips
  • EADS
  • EPFL
  • IMEC

Support for this project was provided by the EPSRC.

Selected Publications

  • Bolognini, F., Computational Synthesis of Microsystems,MPhil Thesis, 2004, University of Cambridge
  • Bolognini, F. , Shea. K., Seshia, A.A., Vale, C.W, AMulticriteria System-Based Method for Simulation-Driven Design Synthesis,ASME 2006 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computersand Information in Engineering Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA