Updated on: Monday, January 11, 2010
A lecture on ‘Micro and Nanotechnology' was organised in the last week of December at Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam, with the support of Commonwealth Science and Technology Academy for Research (C-STAR).
Students and faculty members interacted with Ash M. Parameswaran, director, Institute of Micromachine and Microfabrication Research, Simon Fraser University, Canada. In his address, Dr. Parameswaran talked about MEMS processing technologies.
He described the fabrication and working of various commercial applications of MEMS devices including the threshold accelerometer for airbag trigger, anti-lock braking, and power glove. He also detailed the use of carbon nanotubes for the study of DNA and proteins, gene gun and nanotechnology simulations.
A. Kalanidhi, vice-chairman, C-STAR, stressed the need for the students to study the recent developments taking place in their field of specialisation, apart from learning prescribed courses in the curriculum. Only then students would be able to cope with the requirements and expectations in their future employment.
Collaborative research projects on MEMS and the possibilities for faculty/student exchange programmes were also discussed during the meeting. L. Sujatha, coordinator, National MEMS Design Center, Regional Engineering College, Tiruchi, gave a brief note on MEMS activities being carried out by the college.