email : spb@ecs.soton.ac.uk
Tel: 023 8059 6663
University of Southampton
School of Electronics and Computer Science
Electronic Systems Design Group
I joined the University of Southampton Institute of Transducer Technology (USITT) in 1993 where I completed my PhD on the subject of optimising the design of micromechanical silicon resonators and stress isolating packaging. I have since joined the Department of Electronics and Computer Science as a member of the Electronic Systems Design Group and have been researching in the field of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and Microsystems (MST) devices for over 8 years. My current research interests include (click on each for further details):
Thick-film PZT on silicon for sensor and actuator applications
Other research interests include high temperature piezoelectric thick-film materials, magnetic thick-film materials, micromachined ultrasonic devices, magnetostrictive materials and remote sensing.
I have a proven track record in working with other Universities and Industry and am keen to continue such collaborations and to establish new links. See 'Collaborations and Links' for details of past and ongoing joint work.
The following is a brief summary of my curriculum vitae.
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Present Appointment : EPSRC Advanced Research Fellow
email : spb@ecs.soton.ac.uk Tel: 023 8059 6663
Age : 34 |
Work Experience
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01/10/01 - Present |
EPSRC Advanced Research Fellow. University of Southampton, Department of Electronics and Computer Science.
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05/10/00 - Present |
Director, D4 Technology Ltd. Founder and director of small start up company to exploit opportunities in the Microsystems and instrumentation technology fields.
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18/01/98 – 28/09/01 |
Research Fellow. University of Southampton, Department of Electronics and Computer Science. Worked on 2 research projects. The first is a ROPA project investigating the combination of thick-film printed PZT and micromachining processes for use in silicon sensors and actuators. The second project is an industrially funded development of a silicon resonant pressure transducer. |
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18/01/96 - 17/01/98 |
Research Consultant. University of Southampton Institute of Transducer Technology (USITT). Employed on industrial contract developing a resonant differential pressure sensor. Also acted as an independent consultant to Ellison Sensors International. |
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18/01/93 - 17/01/96
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Research Assistant. University of Southampton, USITT. Employed on research project investigating the mechanical design of miniature resonant devices and stress relieving packages for silicon sensors. Part time PhD. |
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Aug’ 1990 - Aug’ 1991 |
Quality / Production Engineer, IBM UK Ltd (sandwich placement). Quality assurance and production engineer. |
Education and Qualifications
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Jan’ 1993 - March 1998 |
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ Part-time PhD. Title of Thesis ‘Mechanical Isolation of Miniature Resonant Sensors and Stress Relieving Packages’. |
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Sept’ 1988 - July 1992 |
University of Portsmouth, Anglesea Building, Anglesea Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3DJ. BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Class 2, Division 1. |
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Sept’ 1986 - July 1988 |
Haywards Heath 6th Form College. ‘A’ Levels - Maths (B), Physics (D) and Economics (A) |
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Sept’ 1981 - July 1986 |
Downlands Comprehensive - 8 ‘O’ Levels including Maths (A), Physics (A), English Lang. (B), Technology (B) |
Research Experience
Research Field - Micromachined silicon sensors, MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and Microsystems development, human biometric systems, vibration energy harvesting.
Key expertise :
Design and development of Microsystems including FE and analytical modelling.
Sensor and instrumentation design.
Mask design and ‘hands on’ silicon Microsystems fabrication.
Active thick-film materials development.
Thick-film sensors development.
Development of Otoacoustic Emission based biometric systems
Research Achievements –
Awarded a prestigious EPSRC advanced research fellowship – 5 years funding to continue my research in the field of Microsystems technology
Microsystems developments include:
Novel fabrication process whereby thick-film piezoelectric materials can be combined with micromachined silicon structures. This work is the first of its kind worldwide.
Designed and fabricated fully functional Microsystems devices that demonstrate this combination of technologies (micromachined silicon accelerometer and resonator).
Responsible for an industrially funded research project investigating micromachined silicon resonant strain gauges in differential pressure sensing applications.
Designed, fabricated and tested a micromachined silicon capacitive pressure sensor for demonstration purposes.
Thick-film PZT ultrasonic actuators for micromotor and microfluidic applications.
Self powered microsystems using micro-generators to obtain power vibrations occurring in the systems environment.
Over 90 publications in both learned journals and presented at conferences and colloquia (see list).
Co-authored 'MEMS mechanical Sensors' book published by Artech House
'Using Otoacoustic Emissions as a Biometric' Paper Awarded Best Paper Prize at ICBA 2004
Member of the EPSRC peer review College.
Investigator/co-authored successful proposals to both industry and the EPSRC. These include:
Resonant sensor development funded by ABB Kent-Taylor (£325101)
ROPA investigation ‘Combined thick-film/silicon micromachined structures’ (£95123).
EPSRC project ‘Self powered microsystems’ (£203559).
EPSRC project ‘Micromachined ultrasonic filter with thick-film piezoelectric drive for microfluidic applications’ (£249092)
Intersect Faraday project ‘Resonant microsensor modules for measurement of physical quantities (REMISE)’ (~£360000)
EPSRC project ‘Thick film sensors for prosthetic hands’ (£188,355)
EU Framework 6 STREP project ‘Vibration Energy Scavenging’ (2.6 million Euros)
Teaching Activities and Departmental Duties
Probationary Supervision of PhD students (Russel Torah (completed August 2004), Matthew Swabey and Andrew Frood)
Lecture on EZ440 ‘Micro-System Technology (MST): From Lab on a Chip to Mobile Phone Applications’ module.
Prepared and run lab on EZ440.
Supervise Pt 3 project students and MSc Projects
Show the department to prospective students on UCAS days.
Professional Qualifications
Member of the IOP (MinstP) Registered number 580547
Chartered Engineer (CEng)
Member of the IEE (MIEE) Membership number 49732288
Member of the IEEE Membership number 41633749
Consultancy Activities
Customers include ABB Kent-Taylor, Druck, ERA Technology, Ellison Sensors International, TransInstruments, Gems Sensors, Weston Medical, Molecular Robotics Inc., First Inertia, Reilor, McBurney Scientific, RLW Inc.
Please click HERE for a list of publications
This page was last updated by Steve Beeby on 18th August 2004
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