Is there a niche for vib and heat transfer people in NanoTech?

[Tobalcane]

I have been thinking of consulting, but the field I’m in (electronic packaging/vibration and heat transfer analysis) is pretty much established with its own experts. So I’m kind of looking for another field to transfer my skills. I have been reading that nanotechnology is the wave of the future and just understanding this area. My question is there a call for vibration and heat transfer analysis people in the nanotechnology arena?

Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.


Go Mechanical Engineering
Tobalcane

 

[wado]

I currently have the possibility to independently contract for a former employer doing machinery design and documentation work. I'm verbally guaranteed 6 months but I need to determine my future market. Since documentation and 'clean up' work would be a foot into the door for new clients, I'm concerned that after investing $12,000+ into Unigraphics software I would be limiting my market to only UG users.

My questions are: 1) Is it normal for small design firms to purchase multiple CAD software to accommodate clients? 2) Is there a list of companies that currently have UG seats in the Northeast (or entire USA)?

Any comments or suggestions appreciated!!

 

[GregLocock]

1) Yes

2) Anyone associated with GM.

Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[imagitec]

Nanotechnology is a broad category. More specific areas of study relative to your expertise are MEMS (micro electro-mechanical systems), MOEMS (micro opto electro mechanical systems), and microfluidics. In Europe, the catch-all acronym is MST (micro systems technology).

I worked for a manufacturer of equipment used in the production of MST devices. In particular, I worked on the substrate bonder product line (

http://www.suss.com/main.php?rad_id=453

&

http://www.suss.com/main.php?rad_f=163&rad_id=633).

I learned about our customers' applications directly and through the literature. Any traditional mechanical application that you can imagine is being scaled down to the micro-level, and all the traditional disciplines apply. For example, an air bag sensor is a spring-mass-damper system, with the damping provided by a specific atmosphere hermetically sealed in the device. Optimizing the design is a cross-discipline problem involving mechanics as well as a knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing materials and processes.

There are courses and degrees in MST, FEA programs tailored for MST, and many web sites dedicated to MST. I'll post some links when I have more time. It's an exciting field for mechanical engineers.

Rob Campbell, PE
Finite Monkeys -

http://www.livejournal.com/users/robcampbell

 

[imagitec]

SUSS' competitor has good papers on the subject:

http://www.evgroup.com/technical_papers_sub1.asp?mrkt_id=1

Rob Campbell, PE
Finite Monkeys -

http://www.livejournal.com/users/robcampbell

 

[imagitec]

And

http://www.evgroup.com/technical_papers_sub1.asp?mrkt_id=6

Rob Campbell, PE
Finite Monkeys -

http://www.livejournal.com/users/robcampbell

 

[Tobalcane]

Hi Rob! I see that you are using your PE title now. How does it feel?

I’m just ready to take the exam on Oct 29. I’ve done the practice NCEES exam and I feel pretty good, but the NCEES exam did feel easy. Now I’m doing the PPI’s practice exam and this one seems harder, but still doable.

Thanks for the info on the MEMS stuff!


Go Mechanical Engineering
Tobalcane

 

[imagitec]

It feels pretty good. I hand't received notice by the time I started interviewing for my current job, so it wasn't on my resume. I wish it was, so I could have asked if it made a difference. (My wife and I decided to move from Vermont back to New Hampshire to be closer to family. My new job is doing optomechanical design for a defense contractor.)

The practice exam was a good approximation. I thought it was a little easier than the actual exam, but that might have just been nerves.

Good luck.

Rob Campbell, PE
Finite Monkeys -

http://www.livejournal.com/users/robcampbell