Plenary Speech: Micro- and Nano-Technologies for Automotive Research

In this talk, current and future research directions for micro- and nano-technologies applicable to the automotive sensor market will be presented. There exists an opportunity for new research to provide new micro- and nano-technologies that in the short run may not yet compete with the existing automotive sensor technologies, but in the long run are likely to surpass them. Historically, automotive sensor technology has been transitioning through three phases, from 1) early phases in which simple driver information is generated, to 2) computer-in-the-loop control systems to 3) complete driving experience mode selection. This existing technology is in phase 3, and for this phase to be successfully completed, new sensors that have higher resolution, greater bandwidth and lower cost must be developed. The new micro- and nano-technologies will provide that solution. A number of micro- and nano-sensors, currently under development, will be described and reviewed. These include 1) resonant micro strain sensors to determine the smallest deflections of even the most rigid of metal automotive parts, 2) micro sensors that show promise of measuring temperature, acceleration, pressure and strain inside the automobile engine combustion chamber, 3) nanowire and nanotube sensors made using a new, room temperature fabrication method that allows the nanowires and nanotubes to be fabricated directly on CMOS chips and 4) miniaturized, low-cost, micro RF systems to detect the presence of pedestrians in the path of the vehicle. These sensors, and others, promise to revolutionize the automotive sensor market.