Sensors & Actuators Course | Microfabrication | Prof. Hardik Pandya IISc | NPTEL
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 7696 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Control and Instrumentation, Robotics |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the World of Microsystems: A Deep Dive into Sensors and Actuators
In our increasingly automated and data-driven world, the silent workhorses enabling innovation are sensors and actuators. These fundamental components form the bridge between the physical and digital realms, allowing machines to perceive their environment and act upon it. For engineering students and professionals looking to build a career at the forefront of robotics, biomedical devices, IoT, and smart systems, a deep understanding of these microsystems is not just beneficial—it's essential.
We are excited to present a comprehensive, 12-week course designed to demystify the design, fabrication, and application of modern sensors and actuators. This course, led by a distinguished expert from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights into microfabrication technologies.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Hardik Jeetendra Pandya
This course is guided by Prof. Hardik J. Pandya, an Associate Professor in the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) at IISc Bangalore. A visionary researcher and educator, Prof. Pandya heads three laboratories at IISc focused on pioneering a new class of biomedical devices and technologies.
His impressive academic journey includes a Ph.D. from IIT Delhi and postdoctoral stints at the University of Maryland and Harvard Medical School. Leading a dynamic team of 28 scholars, he has a proven track record of mentoring talent, with alumni securing positions at top global institutions like Intel, NVIDIA, Texas Instruments, Samsung, and A*STAR.
Prof. Pandya's research is translational, focusing on minimally invasive technologies for cancer diagnosis, e-nose systems for disease screening, and neuroprotective therapies. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the SERB Early Career Research Award (2017), the ISSS Young Scientist Award (2020), and the INAE Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship (2023). With multiple granted patents and publications in high-impact journals like Nature Microsystems and Nanoengineering, his expertise brings real-world, cutting-edge relevance to the course curriculum.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This undergraduate/postgraduate level course is meticulously structured to take you from foundational concepts to advanced design and simulation. Over 12 weeks, you will gain a holistic understanding of how microsensors and actuators are conceived, built, and integrated into functional systems.
Intended Audience: Engineering Students and Faculty from related disciplines.
Prerequisites: Basic Electronics. A background in Physics, Science, or Engineering is preferred.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Basics of Energy Transformation: Transducers, Sensors and Actuators |
| Week 2 | Understanding of Thin Film Physics: Application in MOSFET and its variants |
| Week 3 | Thin Film Deposition: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Techniques |
| Week 4 | Thin Film Deposition: Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Techniques |
| Week 5 | Photolithography for Patterning and Overview of Etching Methods |
| Week 6 | Various Gas Sensors: Optical, MOS, FET, Piezoelectric, Polymer, Nanostructured |
| Week 7 | Design & Fabrication of Microsensors: Force, Pressure, Strain Gauges & Applications |
| Week 8 | Working Principles of Actuators: Piezoelectric, Piezoresistive, Micropumps |
| Week 9 | Microfluidics Basics: Photomask Design (Clewin), PDMS Moulding, Device Bonding |
| Week 10 | Simulation, Optimization & Characterization of Sensors using COMSOL Multiphysics |
| Week 11 | Sensor Interfacing with Microprocessors to Build Electronic Systems |
| Week 12 | Static/Dynamic Characteristics, Calibration of Sensor-based Systems |
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand Fundamentals: Grasp the core operating principles of sensors and actuators.
- Master Microfabrication: Learn key techniques like CVD, PVD, and photolithography used to build micro-devices.
- Explore Sensor Variants: Dive deep into electrochemical, gas, force, and pressure sensors.
- Learn System Integration: Understand how to interface sensors with signal conditioning circuits and microprocessors.
- Gain Practical Simulation Skills: Use industry-standard COMSOL Multiphysics software to simulate and characterize sensor designs before fabrication.
- Evaluate Performance: Learn the critical parameters for assessing sensor accuracy and reliability.
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
The course will be supplemented with instructor-provided notes and key chapters from authoritative texts, including:
- Sensors and Signal Conditioning by Pallás-Areny & Webster
- Handbook of Modern Sensors by Jacob Fraden
- Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators by Stefan Johann Rupitsch
- Microsystem Design by Stephen D. Senturia
- Fundamentals of Microfabrication by Marc Madou
Why Enroll in This Course?
This isn't just another theoretical course. It's a guided journey into the heart of microtechnology led by an active researcher whose work is translating into life-saving medical devices. You will gain:
- Industry-Relevant Skills: Hands-on knowledge of design software (Clewin, COMSOL) and fabrication processes highly valued in semiconductor, MedTech, and R&D sectors.
- Research-Oriented Perspective: Insights from a lab that is actively pushing boundaries in cancer diagnosis and biomedical sensing.
- A Strong Foundation: A systematic understanding that prepares you for advanced studies or a career in electronics, robotics, instrumentation, or biomedical engineering.
Whether you aim to contribute to the next generation of smart sensors, develop innovative biomedical tools, or simply build a robust foundation in microsystems, this course on Sensors and Actuators is your definitive starting point. Enroll today and begin building the technologies of tomorrow.
Enroll Now →