EE Faculty

B.S., 1963, EE, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.S., 1965, EE, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D., 1971, EE, University of Washington

Telephone: (612) 625-8014
Office Hours

E-mail: robbins@ece.umn.edu
Web Page: http://www.ece.umn.edu/users/robbins/

My research interests include sonics and ultrasonics, sensors and microactuators, sputtering, piezoelectric and magnetostrictive materials, and power semiconductor devices. These interests overlap each other to a significant degree.

Research in sonics and ultrasonics includes development of a computer-controlled scanning laser acoustic microscope. This instrument will be used for a variety of nondestructive materials evaluations applications. I have a continuing interest in the development of novel surface acoustic wave devices such as modestly tunable SAW devices based on magnetostrictive thin films deposited on the propagation surface of the device.

Several projects are currently underway in the sensors area. One project involves the development of devices which use sputtered piezoelectric thin films to sense the stresses generated in various metal fabrication procedures such as die forging, milling, and turning. Another project involves the development of acoustical methods, both active and passive, to detect the presence of wood-eating insects (such as termites) in structural wood. I also am interested in developing gas sensors based on surface acoustic wave devices.

Another EE faculty member and I are developing microactuators for powering micromachines on silicon wafers. These microactuators will utilize piezoelectric materials and possibly magnetostrictive materials.

Selected Publications

"Measurement of Surface Acoustic Wave Slowness Curves with a Scanning Laser Acoustic Microscope", with E. Rudd, Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 64, No. 3, p. 1040, 1988.

"A Simple Phenomenological Model of Tunable SAW Devices Using Magnetostrictive Thin Films", with A. Hietala, IEEE Trans. on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Freq. Control, Vol. 35, No. 6, p. 718-722, 1988.

"Insert-Mounted Thin Film Sensors for Real-Time Monitoring of Tool Conditions", with B. Bischoff and S. Ramalingen, Thin Solid Films, Vol. 166, 1988.

"A Linear Piezoelectric Stepper Motor with Sub-Micrometer Displacement and Centimeter Travel", with J. Judy and D.L.Polla, IEEE Trans. on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, UFFC-37, pp. 428-437, 1990.