New Approach for Sensors and Connecting Objects Involving Microelectronic Multidisciplinarity for a Wide Spectrum of Applications
O. Bonnaud1,2
1Department Microelectronics and Sensors, University of Rennes 1, France
2GIP-CNFM, Minatec, France
Abstract- The fabulous evolution of the field of microelectronics and nanotechnologies was mainly governed by the reduction of dimensions during the last fifty years. This increasing of the circuit integration that is observed in a large spectrum of applications represents today the key factor of the evolution of the next ten years. In parallel, since the beginning of the 2000's, the evolution becomes different by involving not only the reduction of dimensions of the elementary devices, but also the integration of systems involving these circuits. This means an opening of the spectrum towards a multidisciplinary aspect in order to combine an electronic circuit with physical, biological, or chemical sensors, which can include signal treatments and communication modules, as well as actuators. These functions appear fundamental for the control and the improvement of the environment. After a presentation of the present situation and the possibility of developing connecting objects, a special attention is paid to the development of sensors and actuators based on thin film technologies and large area electronics. They are well adapted to create heterogeneous architectures leading to new sensors able to analyze chemical or biological species, and particularly suitable for the analysis and the monitoring of the environment. In addition, these new objects need new skills and new know-how. The formation of engineers and doctors must be adapted and include practice in dedicated environment. This point is approached in the last part of the paper.
Keywords-Microelectronics, microsensors, connecting objects for environment control, multidisciplinary approach, practice-oriented pedagogical approach