Hardware Podcasts

214: Tiny Sensor Problems

Embedded.fm · 7 Sept 2017 · 54m · Episode 214

What this episode covers

Kristen Dorsey, an assistant professor at Smith College and researcher at MicroSmithie, explains the physics and fabrication of MEMS sensors, including accelerometers, gyroscopes, and flexible strain sensors. She details how commercial IMUs use moving capacitors and the Coriolis effect, while her own work focuses on rubber-based sensors for VR and robotics that face challenges with humidity, temperature drift, and manufacturing consistency. The conversation covers the limitations of scaling MEMS with standard CMOS processes, the potential of energy harvesting for infrastructure monitoring, and the hype surrounding chemical sensors and micro-robots.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Smith College, MicroSmithie
Products
Micronium
Materials
Galistan

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