Peter Fallon and Aaron Gerratt work on their undergraduate research in the Tufts microfab.

ME 139: Acoustics

ME 37: Dynamics and Vibes

ME 80: Systems & Controls

ME 103: MEMS

Software Tutorials

Matlab Tutorial, Simulink Tutorial, Tanner EDA L-edit Tutorial, The LayoutEditor (Juspertor, Jurgen Thies),Comsol for Acoustics, Labview Toolkit for Lego NXT, Tufts Research Cluster

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Acoustics (ME139)

Last taught Fall 2010. This is a graduate course in the Mechanical Engineering department . We look at classical acoustics from a mathematical and physical perspective. We derive the acoustic wave equation and look at some of its classical solutions. In the first part of the course we discuss acoustic intensity, impedance, transmission and reflection of plane waves from boundaries, impedance matching, and partitions. In the second part of the course we consider radiation from various types of sources, including a discussion of beam patterns and far field approximations. In the final part of the course we discuss acoustic filters, architectural acoustics, and transducer models. Brief descriptions of some of the major features of human hearing will also be included. The course includes computational (finite element and numerical computing in Matlab) components and hands-on measurement of sound.

Dynamics and Vibrations (ME37)

Last taught Spring 2006. This is a required undergraduate course for Mechanical Engineering students, usually taken second term Junior year. Kinematics and kinetics of particles and of rigid bodies in plane motion. Free and forced vibration of damped and undamped single-degree of freedom systems.

System Dynamics and Control (ME80)

Last taught Spring 2012. In this course, we study system behavior and properties in the time and frequency domain, and the design of linear control systems for single input single output systems. Laplace transform techniques. Use of MATLAB and SIMULINK simulation in solution process. Feedback control design techniques including frequency response methods, root locus, and PID controllers. Hands on embedded control design and development using microcontrollers. Some mechatronics, electronics, and programming.

Microelectromechanical Systems, MEMS (ME103)

Last taught Fall 2011. In this course, we study the design and fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). These are devices with length scales in the range of 1 micron to 1 millimeter. The course includes six laboratories where students will work in the cleanroom fabricating devices using microfabrication techniques. A significant design component is included, including three group design problems, all of which will be fabricated by the students in the laboratory. We learn about fabrication processes and tools, materials, device physics, modeling, design, and measurement of microsensors, microactuators, and microfluidic systems.

Matlab

This is a Matlab tutorial (Matlab 7) that I put together for my ME37 students in Spring 2006. It talks about basic Matlab syntax, m-files, functions, and solving both algebraic and differential equation systems. The slides from ME80 Fall 2007 are also here. And the slides session 1 and slides session 2 from ME1 Spring 2009 are also here.

Simulink

This is a Simulink tutorial (Simulink 7) that I put together for my ME80 students in Fall 2006. Simulink is a block diagram driven simulation package for systems and controls. The slides from ME80 Fall 2007 are also here.

Tanner EDA L-edit

This is a Tanner EDA L-edit tutorial that I put together for my ME103 students in Spring 2007. L-edit is a layout editor for MEMS devices.

Jurgen Thies's The LayoutEditor

This is a tutorial for Jurgen Thies's The LayoutEditor, an inexpensive but excellent mask layout tool. The tutorial was created for my ME103 (MEMS) students in Fall 2009.

Comsol Multiphysics for Acoustics

This is a tutorial for Comsol Multiphysics aimed at solving acoustics problems. This was introduced in ME139, Spring 2008.

Labview Toolkit for the Lego NXT

This is a tutorial for embedded programming of the Lego NXT brick using the Labview NXT Toolkit that I put together for my ME80 students in Fall 2008. This is a nice environment for teaching controls: the lego brick works very well with sample times in the 1-10 ms range, you have plug-and-play sensors and actuators, and mechanical flexibility for open-ended hands-on homeworks. NI Labview is a very popular environment for automation programming, and allows the students to implement their controllers on the brick. The slides from ME80 Fall 2008 are here.

Tufts Research Cluster

The Tufts Research Cluster is a network of linux machines that can be used for a variety of computational jobs. Tufts students, faculty and staff may be eligible for cluster accounts; check the info page linked above. My cluster starter sheet gives some quick information on how to connect to the cluster and run computational software.

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