Critical reflection

 

Module reflection

At the beginning of the course, I was quite nervous about what this course has installed for me. As English has been my weakest language, I am worried that I could not communicate well. Throughout the course, I feel that it has helped me to speak more fluently and also write more concisely. In the beginning, students are asked what are the key things they want to learn by the end of this course, mine was speaking fluently and writing concisely. There are many activities that, encourage students to practice their writing and speaking skills. 

I like the way this course has been conducted, as it gives students many opportunities to hone their writing and speaking skills. Activities such as writing a formal letter and design summary, taught me how to write fluently, concisely and identify the mistakes that I often make while writing. After completing our formal letter and posting on the blog, students are required to comment on each other posts to give constructive feedback and point out what were the mistakes they made. The feedback section, allows me to learn much faster from other people's mistakes. As for speaking, there are many times where I need to present to others on the key points for certain topics like what is considered a good PowerPoint slide and what are the do and don't to do for PowerPoint slides. These small group presentations enable me to slowly, get used to speaking to my peers and gain confidence. 

I believe that in the future, these skills will be very useful in the workforce. As engineers, there will be many chances, where we have to give a presentation or report to our superior about our task progression. The presentation skills that we learned such as posture, tone, and eye contact will enable me to look confident and professional.

Project reflection

The technical report project has taught me the importance of teamwork, I am fortunate to be part of Green Goer, all my members are very capable and talented. Initially, when I heard that the proposal word requirement is 2000 words, I was intimidated by it and thought it would be a difficult task. However, with the help of each member, we slowly completed the proposal, which seems to be a daunting task, but with the help of one another, we can complete it. I learned what is a good PowerPoint slide should be like. A good PowerPoint slide should consist of only keywords and it would be even better if it can be elaborated by using images. Lastly, I also learn how to give a good presentation. 

In the past, I would use to cram all information onto my slides and thought that the audience would read the slide and understand. However, too many words on the slides would bore people and this is not the best way to convey information. I realize that the slide should just be a complementary tool, for the presenter to capture the attention of the audience. After making my slides to be short and concise, I felt more relaxed and easier to present, as I was able to freely explained in my own words. 

Speaking confidently and writing fluently are the key skills that I think would help me in my future career. It would help during interviews, presenting, or even writing a summary report of the product to let customers know what are its features. These would give me an edge in the workforce, as nowadays most people are working from home, employers emphasize more on good communication skills for the team to be on the same page.

Best regards, 

Sum Jin Yao 

Summary Analysis Draft #4

MEC 1281

Summary Analysis

Draft 4

By Sum Jin Yao

9 April 2021

According to the article "Soft robotic arm uses flexible sensors to understand its position" by Matheson (2020), MIT researchers have found a way to program a soft robotic arm to understand its structure in 3D space, using "motion and position data from its sensorized skin" (Rob.M, 2020).

 These soft robots are built from highly flexible materials, alike to "those found in living organisms" and are supported as "safer, and more adaptable, resilient and bioinspired alternatives to traditional rigid robots". Traditional sensors reduce a soft robot’s functionality and also complicate its manufacturing process.

 The researchers describe it as a system of soft sensors that wrap over the robot's body and that feedback to the internal AI to provide the robot "awareness of motion and position of its body". The article mentions their future goal is to advance artificial limbs, to be skillful to grip and operate objects in the environment, and also to incorporate body sensors in robotics.

 The soft robot's materials have "piezoresistive" properties. This means when its original shape undergoes any physical changes, its electrical resistance changes with it. The material shape is "inspired by kirigami”, with a variety of patterns etched on the rectangular silicone sheets. This changes the elastic of the material. However, I believe that the disadvantages of a piezoresistive sensor --- thermal dependence and external stresses --- outweigh its advantages.

 One of the disadvantages of the piezoresistive sensor is that the pressure sensor output varies under different temperatures. This is backed by the research article "Effects of Temperature and Residual San tresses on the Output Characteristics of a Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor", written by Anh Vang Tran. et al. (2019) stating that "temperature variations can change the values of the resistors". Additional supporting article (Liu, Y. et al., 2016) referring that higher temperatures will cause a drift in sensitivity output. Another problem that is resulted from high temperature is current leakage. Liu Yan, et al. (2016) said that when the temperature is above 150 degrees Celsius, there will be current leakage and reverse current flow. This will lead to an inaccurate sensitive output. The other problem with high temperatures is that metals such as aluminum, gold, or titanium will diffuse into the silicon membrane. Thus, silicone can only function as it is intended under a certain temperature, which greatly limits its use.

 Another disadvantage of the piezoresistive sensor is that external stress can occur during the processes of chip fabrication and packaging, which will affect the performance. This is supported by the research article "Thermal-Performance Instability in Piezoresistive Sensors: Inducement and Improvement", written by Liu Yan, et al. (2016) states that "There are mainly three sources of performance perturbation in the fabrication and packaging". The piezoresistive sensor is fabricated by placing resistors on top of the silicone membrane that is in high-stress regions (Anh Vang Tran. et al., 2019). The membrane requires fabrication before resistors can be placed on top of it. During this fabrication residual stress such as thermal, intrinsic, and quenching stresses are formed in the membrane. This would affect the output of the piezoresistive sensor.

 In conclusion, the disadvantages of the piezoresistive sensor, temperature dependence, and also external stresses that occur during processes of chip fabrication and packaging, outweigh its benefits. These disadvantages make the device not compatible in various extreme climate environments and also are more likely to make it prone to inaccurate sensor output.

 

References

Matheson, R. (2020, February 16). Soft Robotic Arm Uses Flexible Sensors to Understand Its Position. Control Engineering. www.controleng.com/articles/soft-robotic-arm-uses-flexible-sensors-to-understand-its-position/

Liu, Y., Wang, H., Zhao, W., Qin, H., & Fang, X. (2016, November 24). Thermal-Performance instability in piezoresistive sensors: Inducement and improvement. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5190965/

Anh, V., Zhang, X., & Zhu, B. (2019, February 26) Effects of Temperature and Residual Stresses on the Output Characteristics of a Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor. IEEXplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8653271

Avent Abacus. (2019) Capacitive vs piezoresistive pressure sensors. https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/solutions/technologies/sensors/pressure-sensors/core-technologies/capacitive-vs-piezoresistive-vs-piezoelectric/

Summary analysis draft 3

MEC 1281   

Summary Analysis 

Draft #3

By Sum Jin Yao

22th Feb 2021

According to an article by M,Rob. (2020), MIT researchers have found a way to program soft robotic arm to understand its structure in 3D space, using "motion and position data from its own "sensorized skin".

These soft robots are built from highly flexible materials, alike to "those found in living organisms", are supported as "safer, and more adaptable, resilient and bioinspired alternatives to traditional rigid robots". Traditional sensors reduce a soft robot functionality and also complicate its manufacturing process.

The researchers narrate it as a system of soft sensors that wrap over the robot's body, that feedback to the internal AI to provide the robot "awareness of motion and position of its body". The article mention, their future goal is to advance artificial limbs, to be skilful to grip and operate objects in the environment, and also to incorporate body sensors in robotics.

The soft robot's materials have "piezoresistive" properties, this mean when its original shape undergoes any physical changes, its electrical resistance changes with it. The material shape is "inspired by kirigami”, with a variation of patterns etched on the rectangular silicone sheets, this changes the elastic of the material. However, I believe that the disadvantages of piezoresistive sensor such as thermal dependence and external stresses outweighs its advantages. Other sensors such as piezoelectric is far better and could be used instead.

One of the disadvantages of piezoresistive sensor, is that the pressure sensitivity output varies under different temperature. This is backed by the article (Anh,V. et al. , 2019) stating that "temperature variations can change the values of the resistors", also with additional article (Liu,Y. et al., 2016) stating that at higher temperature will cause a drift in sensitivity output. Another problem that is resulted from high temperature is current leakage. The article by (Liu,Y. et al, 2016) said that when temperature is above 150 degree Celsius, there will be current leakage and reverse current flow. This will lead to inaccurate sensitive output cause by the high temperature. The other problem with high temperature is that metals such as aluminium, gold or titanium will diffuse into the silicon membrane. Thus, it can only function as it is intended under certain temperature, which greatly limit its uses.

Other disadvantages of piezoresistive sensor, is that the external stress can occur during the processes of chip fabrication and packaging, it will affect the performance.  This is supported by the article (Liu,Y. et al. , 2016) stating that "There are mainly three sources of performance perturbation in the fabrication and packaging". Piezoresistive sensor is fabricated by placing resistors on top of the silicone membrane that are in high-stress regions (Anh,V. et al. , 2019). The membrane requires fabrication before resistors can be placed on top of it, during this fabrication residual stress such as thermal, intrinsic and quenching stresses are formed in the membrane. This would affect the output of the piezoresistive sensor.

In conclusion, the disadvantages of piezoresistive sensors such as temperature dependence and also external stresses that occur during processes of chip fabrication and packaging, outweighs its benefits. These, disadvantages make the device not compatible in varies extreme climate environments and also are more likely to be prone to inaccurate sensitivity output.

 References:

Liu.Y, Wang,H. (2016, Nov 24) Thermal-performance instability in piezoresistive sensors: Inducement and improvement.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5190965/

Avnet (n.d) Capacitive vs piezoresistive vs piezoelectric pressure sensors.

https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/solutions/technologies/sensors/pressure-sensors/core-technologies/capacitive-vs-piezoresistive-vs-piezoelectric/

Anh,V. (2019) Effects of Temperature and Residual Stresses on the Output Characteristics of a Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor.

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8653271

Summary Analysis draft 1

According to an article by Rob.M. (2020), MIT researchers have found a way to program soft robotic arm to understand its structure in 3D space, using "motion and position data from its own "sensorized skin". 

These soft robots are built from highly flexible materials, alike to "those found in living organisms", are supported as "safer, and more adaptable, resilient and bioinspired alternatives to traditional rigid robots". Traditional sensors reduce a soft robot functionality and also complicate its manufacturing process.

The researchers narrate it as a system of soft sensors that wrap over the robot's body, that feedback to the internal AI to provide the robot "awareness of motion and position of its body" 

The soft robot's materials have "piezoresistive" properties, this mean when its original shape undergoes any physical changes, its electrical resistance changes with it. The material shape is "inspired by kirigami",  with a variations of patterns etched on the rectangular silicone sheets, this changes the elastic of the material. However, I believe that there other sensor such as piezoelectric sensor which is more suitable and superior than piezoresistive sensor.

One of the disadvantage of piezoresistive sensor, is its pressure sensitivity vary under different temperature. Since piezoresistive works by detecting strain in the material, it is important to note that molecules behave differently in certain temperature. Thus, it can only function as it is intended under certain temperature, which greatly limit its uses.

Another disadvantage of piezoresistive sensor, is that external stress that occur during the processes of chip fabrication and packaging, will affect its performance. During passivation process, silicone is coated with silicone dioxide and silicone nitride, the process induces stress to the passivation layer, this could detriment the performance of devices with thin diaphragms. 

Overall, the disadvantages of piezoresistive sensors outweighs its benefits, while the advantages of piezoeletric sensors easily make make the device more compatible in varies environments and cost efficiency. 

References:

Liu.Y, Wang.H( 2016, Nov 24) Thermal-performance ubstability in piezoresistive sensors: Inducement and improvement.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5190965/

Capacitive vs piezoresistive vs piezoelectric pressure sensors (n.d) Avnet Retrieved 17 February, 2021, from

https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/solutions/technologies/sensors/pressure-sensors/core-technologies/capacitive-vs-piezoresistive-vs-piezoelectric/

Summary draft 2

According to an article by Rob.M. (2020), MIT researchers have found a way to program soft robotic arm to understand its structure in 3D space, using "motion and position data from its own "sensorized skin". 

These soft robots are built from highly flexible materials, alike to "those found in living organisms", are supported as "safer, and more adaptable, resilient and bioinspired alternatives to traditional rigid robots". Traditional sensors reduce a soft robot functionality and also complicate its manufacturing process.

The researchers narrate it as a system of soft sensors that wrap over the robot's body, that feedback to the internal AI to provide the robot "awareness of motion and position of its body" 

The soft robot's materials have "piezoresistive" properties, this mean when its original shape undergoes any physical changes, its electrical resistance changes with it. The material shape is "inspired by kirigami",  with a variations of patterns etched on the rectangular silicone sheets, this changes the elastic of the material. 

The article mention, their future goal is to advance artificial limbs, to be skillful to grip and operate objects in the environment, and also to incorporate body sensors in robotics.

The soft robotic arm is built from a material that is similar to living organisms,  it should also discuss about what are the functions it can do and it's limitations.

References:

Rob.M. (2020). Soft robotic arm uses flexible sensors to understand its position. Retrieved from https://www.controleng.com/articles/soft-robotic-arm-uses-flexible-sensors-to-understand-its-position/

Summary draft 1

 According to an article by Chris (2020), MIT researchers have found a way to program soft robotic arm to understand its structure in 3D space, using "motion and position data from its own "sensorized skin". 

These soft robots are built from highly flexible materials, alike to "those found in living organisms", are supported as "safer, and more adaptable, resilient and bio-inspired alternatives to traditional rigid robots". 

The researchers narrate it as a system of soft sensors that wrap over the robot's body, that feedback to the internal AI to provide the robot "awareness of motion and position of its body" 

The article mention, their future goal is to advance artificial limbs, to be skillful to grip and operate objects in the environment, and also to incorporate body sensors in robotics.

References:

Rob.M. (2020). Soft robotic arm uses flexible sensors to understand its position. Retrieved from https://www.controleng.com/articles/soft-robotic-arm-uses-flexible-sensors-to-understand-its-position/

Effective communication

Dear Prof Brad,

I am Sum Jin Yao, your student from MEC1281 T6, I graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. After my National Service, I decided to further my studies in Mechanical Engineering program offered by Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). 

I am always a hands-on person, I like the process of brainstorming ideas for solution, it allows my creative to run freely. I am also intrigued by how things work and why did it works. I remembered when I was in preschool, my parents brought me lots of toys that required built from stretch. This could be the reason why I today I am still interested in mechanics. 

I believe one of my communication strength is, I am not afraid to speak with strangers. I always believed that, I can learn something new from everyone, it could be their experiences, achievements or even their point of views. As a result, I tend to make friends quite easily. 

I believe one of my communication weakness is, sometimes when I lack the vocabulary to express myself or ideas effectively. As my parents do not speak English at home, I lack the chances to practice using English. Sometimes, people could not fully understand what I am trying to convey to them, and could even leads to misunderstanding.

At the end of the course, I hope I would be able to express myself more freely and concise, regulate my ideas more fluently and lastly how to make a impactful short conversation. I hope with these improvements, I will be able to make an strong and good impression.

Yours student,

Sum Jin Yao