Biography

 

Dr Ward graduated from the department of physics at Imperial college in 1978 and went on to obtain a PhD in physics from Warwick University for his work on the EXAFS of the passive films on stainless steels before joining the UK ministry of defence at RSRE Malvern in 1985. There he worked a range of micro technologies, including II/VI semiconductors, radiation hard electronics and finally led the research group in micro systems technology. In 1999 he joined the University of Birmingham where he has established a research group with interests in resonant pressure sensors, micro fluidics and a variety of micro machined sensors. He has received funding from government bodies and directly from industry. His current research interests include networked sensors and nano power supplies. He is a chartered Engineer, a member of the EPSRC peer review college and a Fellow of the IET.

 

Talk

 

 

New directions in nano mechanics at the University of Birmingham UK

 

In this talk I will report on the results of our research work in silicon micro machines. This will include work on a range of sensors including pressure sensors, rhemometers, flow sensors and resonators. I will then indicate how we have sought to identify and exploit the unique features of micro and nano machined devices, features that some may consider deleterious. Finally I will look to the future and describe some of the new proposals and ideas that we are working on that may be suitable topics for potential joint projects. Topics to be covered here include wireless sensor networks, micro/nano power supplies and bio inspired systems.