Sensors Microsystems Electronics

The research group Sensors Microsystems and Electronics (SME) is active in the study, development, fabrication and experimental characterization of sensors, microsystems, electronic circuits and instrumentation. The scientific and applicative goals include: detection of physical, chemical, physiological quantities through sensors and electronic techniques; sensor signal acquisition, processing and monitoring; energy conversion and management for powering autonomous sensors and microsystems; innovative applications in emerging fields using nonconventional technologies. Research activity The SME group operates within national and international research projects with competitive public funding, and within research and development programmes in collaborations with companies and institutions in Italy and abroad. The activities include studies and analyses of principles and techniques, proposals of innovative solutions, development of devices, circuits and systems in the form of prototypes assisted by multi-domain simulations, experimental characterization in laboratory tests and on-field validation. Topics of expertise cover: - Energy Harvesting for battery-less autonomous sensors and microsystems with wireless communication. - MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) and silicon microsystems. - Embedded sensors and electronics in hybrid technologies (film deposition, 3D printing and additive manufacturing) for applications in mechatronics, Internet of Things (IoT), pervasive sensing and structural electronics. - Piezoelectric and pyroelectric films and devices, with associated electronics, for sensors, actuators, acoustic-wave and ultrasound transducers, thermal detectors. - Contactless interrogation of passive sensors with associated electronic circuits. - Low-noise techniques and electronic circuits with high signal-to-noise ratio for sensors and instrumentation. - Sensors and electronic instrumentation for fluidics and microfluidics. - Wearable sensors and electronics for physiological parameters and biomedical applications.