Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

First of all, what is MEMS ?• MEMS stands for Micro Electro Mechanical Systems. • It is a technique of combining Electrical and Mechanical

components together on a chip, to produce a system of miniature dimensions ..

• By miniature, we mean dimensions less than the thickness of human hair !!!!

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

The wonder called nanotechnology

• Nanotechnology is the technology of arranging atoms and molecules in a material.

• This allows to alter the properties of a material and build structures of desired features.

• A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.• Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture

devices 80,000 times smaller than the thickness of human hair !!

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

A simple analogy..• The atoms in an object

can be compared to the blocks in a building game.

• In a building game, the blocks can be arranged to create different looking structures.

• Similarly, atoms can be arranged differently to produce a multitude of devices. This forms the basis of nanotechnology.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Outline

• Introduction to MEMS technology• Introduction to Homeland Security• Application of MEMS to Homeland

Security– Military– Biometric Identification– Bio-terrorism– Marine Security

• Conclusion

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Homeland Security• Homeland Security refers to

protection of territory, domestic population and critical infrastructure against external threats and aggression.

• September 11 attacks and the bio-terrorism threats have made Department of Homeland Security a focal point in defending the nation against terrorist attacks.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Application of Mems in Homeland Security

• Homeland Defense – Military Applications

• Biometric Identification Sensors

• Defense against Bio-terrorism

• Marine Security

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Military Applications of MEMS

• Development of agile and advanced military warfare

• Faster access to information in all domains –

AIR, SEA & LAND

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS based Optical Identification and Communication Systems (MOICS)

http://www.tanner.com/Labs/research/technologies/moics/optical_comm.htm

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MOICS

Modulated laser

Signal with dataMEMS mirrors

Controller

ExtractData

Receive DataData

This system would ensure secure communication between sensors in Hazardous environment on battlefields without use of expensive positioning system.

MEMS Mirrors

http://mems.colorado.edu/c1.res.ppt/ppt/oe.review/ppt.htm?

Interrogate unit Remote unit

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Multisensor Microcluster

http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~wise/Research/Overview/Wise_Research.pdf

• This system includes micro-sensors for measurement of temperature, pressure, humidity and position.

• Applications :

Environmental Monitoring

Health Monitoring

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS POLYCHROMATOR

Imagine a soldier on a battlefield looking through a pair of binoculars and detecting from afar the nature of gas being emitted in a smoke cloud. There's no need to obtain a sample of the gas or even get close to it. Instead, the detection is made from a safe one or two miles away using a POLYCHROMATOR employing MEMS to analyze the chemical Species.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS MAGNETOMETER• MEMS magnetometer coupled

with wireless systems can detect tanks, trucks or terrorists with weapons hiding in caves upto depths of 100 feet.

• MEMS Magnetometer sense change in earths Magnetic field without any drive current

http://www.ee.ucla.edu/research/judylab/research/jeffresearch/

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Navigation systems

• “Global Hawk”- High-altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) employing MEMS accelerometer, was flown over battlefields in Iraq for obtaining detailed views of what was happening on the ground (surveillance).

• Development of Inertial Navigation systems using MEMS technology coupled with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to accurately guide projectiles to target.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Handheld Explosive Detectors

• Miniature micro-machined silicon cantilever structures coated with sensitive polymer that detect vapors given off by explosives

• Applications: Explosive detection

technology for airport and building

Detection of land mines Environmental security Public safety applications.

Array of Cantilevers that bend in presence of explosives

http://www.smalltimes.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=6637

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Detection of Land MinesSMART DUST

• Chemical sensors used for detection of land mines unlikely to be detected by Remote Sensing techniques.

• The suspected areas are crop dusted with sensors which react with target chemical to produce a fluorescent pattern later detected by light detection techniques.

• Advantage : more reliable than other detection systems which have high false alarm rate.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Pico-satellites

Use of Radio frequency MEMS Switches in pico-satellites for communication with ground based Antennashttp://www.aip.org/tip/INPHFA/vol-7/iss-1/p26.pdf

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS in Biometrics

Fingerprint Identification

Iris and Retinal Identification

Facial Recognition

www.autostar.com.sg/ biometric_solution.html

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Biometric Identification• Reliable, low cost and convenient method of uniquely

identifying individuals by measuring certain physical and behavioral characteristics

• This sample is then compared with the template or signature, based on the same characteristics established as unique identity of that individual and stored in the security system

• Characteristics: Finger prints, Palm prints, Retina and iris patterns, face patterns, voice, gait.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Tactim

• Sensory receptors in the finger tip have the ability to produce unique personal sound wave specific to each individual.

• MEMS sensors are used to record the sound produced by the rubbing of the middle-fingertip of a person on a wooden plate, thereby providing an authentication system

www.tactim.com

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

MEMS based Fingerprint Sensors

• Determines Finger surface structure independent of moisture conditions.

• The sensor is composed of an array of 60,000 pixels, with each pixel having sensing circuit comprising 102 transistors.

• A finger ridge is detected as the result of mechanical deformation of each pixel

http://www.eetimes.com/at/news/OEG20011114S0068

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Defense against Bio-terrorism

• Recent bio-terrorism in the form of anthrax attacks demands sensors to detect the presence of biological weapons such as airborne bacteria, viruses and other pathogens

• Technology: BioMems lab on a chip Nanotechnology

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Micro-Chem. Lab

http://www.sandia.gov/mstc/technologies/microanalytical/index.html

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Detection using µ-Chem lab• A chemical signature -- or

fingerprint -- is created by separating constituents with chromatography, a process of moving the mixture through separation channels containing a variety of materials. Within about a minute, a small display screen flashes the name and quantity of the components.

• The technique detects compounds at the part per billion level of concentrations.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

15 Minutes of FAME

• Advantage: low power requirements, low cost, hand-held, and lightweight.

http://www.sandia.gov/mstc/technologies/microanalytical/analytic-system.html

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Electronic Tongue

• MEMS Sensors act as “TASTE BUDS” to identify chemical Components in Liquids

• Incorporates number of chemical sensors generating an electronic fingerprint of the tastes.

www.utexas.edu/.../99oc_issues/ oc990120/oc_tongue2.html

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Use of Nanotechnology

• Use of gold nano-particles to detect life-threatening bacteria and viruses such as anthrax and HIV

• This technique is used is used for detecting specific DNA sequences, the genetic material that defines life.

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Coastline and Port Security

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Bottom Stationed Ocean Profiler(BSOP)

• Development of a 10 by 7 foot Bottom Stationed Ocean Profiler - autonomous underwater vehicle

• Incorporates chemical, physical and biological micro-sensors monitoring the waters for toxins or explosives

• The profiler sits underwater, and surfaces on command to collect data and radio it back to the station.

http://isis2.admin.usf.edu/ur/usfmagazine/spring02/rip1.html

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Torpedo activation using MEMS• Torpedos generally carry a arming sensor that

determines whether conditions are right for the torpedos to detonate.

• Mems device are incorporated as arming sensor that are integrated with signal processing electronics and algorithms that

determine when to arm the torpedo Makes the torpedos target specific

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

Conclusion• MEMS and Nanotechnology are the trends

enabling Homeland Security.

• Research and development in this field would provide means to anticipate, deter and defend against terrorist threats and secure our borders against any kind of aggression

Shekhar Bhansali bhansali@eng.usf.edu

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