Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1999

Prof. Li Wen Jung Prof. Li's students, who explained that micro- machines are made in much the same way as integrated circuits are made in traditional e l e c t r o n ic engineering 一 w i t h d i m i n u t i ve pa r t s. The m i n i a t u r e bridge has a height of less t h a n one m i l l i me t r e and awidt h of around two millimetres. Many objects, even whole systems, produced in this lab measure less than one t en t h o f a millimetre in height. There are micro- generators for generating electricity f o r i n t e g r a t e d c i r cu i t s, micro- r esona t o r s and mi c r o - ac t ua t o rs which can be used to produce m i c r o - sensors, or used in optical communications and micro-robotic applications. Because the weight and volume of micro- sensors are only a thousandth or a millionth of regularly sensors ， they cost significantly less to launch into space and are therefore frequently used in aeronautics. There are also micro pressure sensors which can be implanted in a prosthetic bone to monitor whether it has moved or come loose due to pressures caused by changes in the patient's weight. This means that doctors no longer have to insert equipment inside patients' bodies to monitor the prosthetic bone. This greatly reduces the latters' pain and discomfort. Prof. L i pointed out that microsystems research is rare among local universities, and of such research that does exist, the University's has the most practical value. Tinier than an ant — the miniature bridge has a height of less than one millimetre and a width of around two millimetres. Collaborative Research of Enormous Potential Prof. Xu and Prof. L i s a i d t h a t the t w o laboratories have a very close working relationship. Recently they began a project that makes use of m i c r o - ma c h i n es to manufacture a micro-robot which can travel inside veins. Such a robot may have great potential in medical application. The pooling of expertise of two state-of- the-art laboratories in research no doubt breeds enormous potential. The Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering has moved into the new Mong Man Wai Building. With increased office and laboratory space, researchers now enjoy i m p r o v e d w o r k i n g conditions and that no doubt will also be reflected in the quality of their research. • Advanced Microsystems Laboratory New Laboratories to Study Robotics and Microsystems 35