LMTS Research

The LMTS focuses on highly reliable microsystems for space and aerospace applications. Below are the main research projects in the LMTS.

Publications: for all publications and conference proceedings from the LMTS, follow this link to: LMTS Publications.

CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS

1. Electro-Active Polymer Actuators (EAP)

Dielectric elastomer actuators based on dielectric electroactive polymers (S. Akbari, M. Niklaus, A. Punning). We are developing high stroke actuator that combine large displacements (250 microns for a 1 mm x 1 mm device), high speed (kHz), high force (mN) with low power consumption (microwatt) and simple fabrication.

More information On EAP actuators

2. Ionic Propulsion using ionic liquids

(C. Ataman, J. Favre). Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) and colloid thrusters (electrospray) are much more efficient than chemical propellants and lend themselves well to being miniaturized and batch fabricated for use in very small spacecraft. Thrust is at the microNewton level, and can be increased to the milliNewton level by creating arrays of emitters. We are developing a Silicon MEMS-based colloid thrusters using ionic liquids as the ion source. At left is a picture of a Si nozzle we microfabricated in the EPFL and Uni Neuchatel cleanrooms.

More information on ionic liquid ion/nanodrop sources

3. Chip-scale atomic clock

Micromachined Rubidium cell for chip-scale atomic clock (V. Venkatraman) : a single chip solution for both light source and reference cell, being developed in collaboration with the LTF at the Université de Neuchatel and the LPM at the EPFL We have demonstrated a hermetically sealed plasma light source for a variety of gases.

Sensors and Actuators 2009 article

4. MEMS-based Gravity Gradient sensor

(K. Ghose) We are developing a MEMS-based Earth sensor, that measures the gravity gradient torque in order to determine the vector to the Earth center. The device is a Pyrex-SOI stack, consisting of a 4cm long pendulum, suspended by a 5 micron wide 1mm long Si spring. Sensing is performed optically.

Transducer 2009 proceeding

PAST RESEARCH TOPICS

Earth Sensor based on oxygen airglow

Low cost earth sensor based on visible light. (N: Scheidegger) We have demonstrated the feasibility and completed a preliminary design of a very compact (1 liter, 750 gram), low power (4 Watt) low-cost Earth Sensor based on imaging atmospheric oxygen emission at 762 nm (airglow, as seen in the NASA photo on the left, courtesy of C. Nicollier). Collaboration with the laboratory of prof .Charbon and Oerlikon Space. Details can be found at this ESA webpage and in the files linked below The payload of our SwissCube satellite is based on this research, and will image the airglow phenomenon from low-Earth orbit

Report to ESA on Earth Sensor concept and feasibility

A new concept for a low-cost Earth sensor: Imaging oxygen airglow with arrays of single photon detectors, 2007 AAS conference

SwissCube Cubesat (1kg satellite)

Orignally conceived by the LMTS and the EPFL Space Center, SwissCube is a 1 kg satellite that was launched on September 23, 2009. SwissCube was built with the participation of a dozen labs at the EPFL and at several partner institutions, with all work coordinated by the EPFL Space Center. For more details, please go to the SwissCube website. The LMTS (N. Scheidegger) is responsible for the payload instrument, which is an optical system to image oxygen airglow in the upper atmosphere.

Wireless Sensor Networks for Planetary Exploration

As part of the EU FP6 eCUBES program, we investigated how Wireless sensor networks (WSN) could be used for planetary exploration. We are developed scenarios and hardware to demonstrate how networks of compact and low-power sensors enable exploration of planets and asteroids in ways that rovers and orbiting imagers cannot (e.g. climate and weather information, seismic data, chemical composition and time evolution). We have demonstrated multi-hop communication in a highly dynamic environment: 5 paragliders, each equiped with a GPS-enabled node.
The following movie and presentation show the successful outcome of this research.

Acta Astronautica article 2009