Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Analytical And Fea Analysis Of Silicon Micro-Machined Capacitive Pressure Sensor, Eoghan O'Donoghue

Theses

This thesis is concerned with the electro-mechanical characterisation of MEMS capacitive pressure sensors and the determination of models to describe their behaviour.

The finite element software package ANSYS is validated as a tool for the examination of the electro-mechanical behaviour of capacitive pressure sensors. It is then used to incorporate the effects of applied load, voltage and residual stress into a model of the sensor structure. The capacitive pressure sensor is modelled both in 3D and also in 2D axis-symmetric modes. The error between the 2D and 3D models is quantified.

The behaviour of structures under electrostatic actuation is investigated. …

Finite Element Analysis And Testing Of An Inkjet Cartridge Die, Dylan Ryan

Theses

This project investigates the application of finite element and experimental analysis in the design and testing of silicon based semiconductor components. In a thermal inkjet printer the ink cartridge contains a print head (or die), the head fires numerous droplets simultaneously to form pixels and letters. The inkjet cartridge die consists of a thin film layer, containing the integrated circuits that make up the thennal inkjets, mounted on a polysilicon substrate structure.

A number of incremental changes to the design and manufacturing processes related to the manufacture of these inkjet cartridge dies is made. In past instances when changes were …

Thermal Assessment Of Silicon-Based Composite Materials Used In Photovoltaics, Pavlos K. Bataglannis

Theses

Photovoltaics are devices that convert sunlight directly to electricity. It is well established that the conversion efficiency of mono and poly-crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic modules is inversely related to their temperature. Substantial improvements in operational performance can thus be achieved if the thermal energy accumulating in the material can be effectively dissipated.

Accurate modelling of modules would allow possible methods of thermal dissipation to be evaluated, and as a crucial component of the model, the thermal properties of the constituent materials of PV modules needed to be known. Special consideration needed to be given to the interfaces between dissimilar materials and …