Smart Sensors: Manufacture, Functionalize, Power-up and Integrate

通过微纳系统技术相结合的自主和嵌入式传感器的制造和集成，正在为先进制造(AM)、人工智能(AI)、物联网(IoT)和健康技术带来自我供电的高带宽设备的革命性变化。 更具体地说，纳米和微米级传感器是广泛应用的基础，从健康和环境(如气体、生物分子、压力、温度)监测到无线互联网服务。由于这些设备的数量已达数百亿，颠覆性创新的潜力是巨大的。 将微纳传感器集成到便携式电路板及其机电封装中是非常具有挑战性的。这些器件的集成和封装需要多次沉积不同介质和金属的层。这些层之间的原子失配增加了电阻，产生了噪声，降低了灵敏度，并增加了检测时间。 此外，除了高响应性、高灵敏度和高选择性外，成本降低、规模扩大、兼容性、批量生产、自供电和简单性都是非常有价值的补充[Yavuz，纳米和微电子机械系统(N/MEMS)的材料设计、制造、封装和可靠性》，Wiley，2019]。 通过这项研究开发的拟议传感器有可能改善我们的生活质量，如更安全的食物、水和健康监测，以及更安全的环境和邻里。因此，为制造这些绿色和智能传感器而开发的技术将在未来10年内促进加拿大的经济、社会和环境[加拿大基础设施(IC)：建设更美好的加拿大：2016-2019年投资加拿大计划进展报告；农村机会，国家繁荣：加拿大农村经济发展战略》]。 拟议的计划旨在教育和培训高素质人才(HQP)，以解决IC确定的“AM、AI和物联网等互联技术方面的知识、专业知识和培训缺口”。该计划将为HQP创造一个独特的创新环境，释放HQP开发尖端传感器的潜力，为他们提供从制造、集成、包装和测试方面的网络到生物传感的“广泛的跨学科培训和知识”。HQP将为工作做好准备，并能够过渡到作为工程师、项目经理和技术专家的劳动力大军。通过这一创新计划培训的HQP将最大限度地将知识转移到加拿大至关重要的行业和公共部门。培训将侧重于项目管理、沟通、职业道德、安全、公平、多样性和包容性、平等就业机会(EEO)以及知识产权法规。

The manufacturing and integration of autonomous and embedded sensors through a combination of micro-- and nano--systems technologies have been revolutionizing self--powered, high bandwidth devices for advanced manufacturing (AM), artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and health technologies. More specifically, nano- and micro-scale sensors are the building blocks for a vast range of applications, from health and environmental (such as gas, biomolecules, pressure, temperature) monitoring to wireless Internet services. As these devices have numbered in the tens of billions, the potential for disruptive innovation is immense. Integrating micro- and nano--sensors to portable circuit boards (PCBs) and their electro--mechanical packaging are very challenging. The integration and packaging of these devices require the multiple deposition of layers of different dielectrics and metals. The atomic mismatch between these layers increases electrical resistance, creates noise and reduces sensitivity, and increase detection time. Moreover, cost reduction, scale up, compatibility, volume production, self-powering, and simplicity are very valuable additions, in addition to, high responsivity, high sensitivity, and high selectivity [Yavuz “Materials Design, Fabrication, Packaging and Reliability of Nano and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (N/MEMS)”, Wiley, 2019]. The proposed sensors developed through this research have the potential to improve our quality of life such as safer food and water and health monitoring, and securer environment and neighborhood. Therefore, the technology developed to manufacture these green and smart sensors will enhance Canada's economy, society and environment within the next 10 years [Infrastructure Canada (IC) “Building a Better Canada: A Progress Report on the Investing in Canada plan 2016-2019”; "Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada"]. The proposed program aims to educate and train highly qualified personnel (HQP) for addressing the “gap in knowledge, expertise and training in connected technologies such as AM, AI and IoT” identified by IC. The program will create a unique environment for innovation that unleashes the potential of HQP to develop cutting edge sensors by providing them with “broad interdisciplinary training and knowledge” from network- to bio-sensing in manufacturing, integrating, packaging and testing. HQP will be job ready' and able to transition to the workforce as engineers, project managers and technology specialists. HQP trained through this innovative program will maximize knowledge transfer to critically important Canadian industries and public sectors. The training will be focused on project management, communication, work ethic, safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, equal employment opportunity (EEO), and intellectual property regulations as well.