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stillingsbetegnelse:
PhD scholarship in Microfabricated Ultrasound Transducers

jobbeskrivelse:

A multidisciplinary research project in the field of microfabricated transducers for ultrasound imaging is being established in collaboration at the Department of Health Technology (DTU Health Tech) at the Technical University of Denmark.

Modern medical ultrasound imaging is made using multi-element piezoelectric transducers. Often the arrays consist of 192 elements with a spacing between elements of one or a half wavelength (?/2). Typically the frequency in ultrasound is between 3 to 15 MHz making the wavelength around 0.5 to 0.1 mm. The pitch is, thus, very small and the kerf between elements is in microns. The height of the elements is around 5-10 mm and the tall elements can be difficult to manufacture. The introduction of 2D arrays for three-dimensional imaging is increasing the problems. Here the elements are ?/2 square and the sub-dicing of the piezoelectric crystal often results in a vary low yield and expensive transducers. Also the interconnection between the elements and the transducer cables is a challenge. The current 2D arrays houses 32 x 32 elements or 64 x 64 elements. This large elements count precludes making connections to all elements and sparse arrays have to be used which impacts image quality in terms of resolution and contrast. New technology is, thus, needed for advancing ultrasound technology.

Recent years has seen the development of integrated transducers based on silicon technology. Using silicon surface micromachining allows for fabrication of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUT). Such CMUT transducers uses fairly standard integrated circuit fabrication technology to make very small (10-20 micron size) ultrasound transducers, which are grouped to form larger elements. Each of these devices have a thin plate that can be actuated by electrostatic forces thus generating an ultrasound pulse. The technology is still in its early stages and can be advanced, but the potential capabilities are large. It is here possible to fabricate any number of elements in any kind of configuration. 2D arrays with a very large array count can be made and there is also the potential to integrate switching capabilities on the die. In this project there will be special emphasis on new microfabrication techniques suitable for CMUTs.

Responsibilities and tasks

The purpose of this project is to fabricate CMUT probes that are suitable ultrasound imaging using the DTU NanoLab clean room facility and use these with the facilities at Center for Fast Ultrasound imaging's (CFU) facilities for ultrasound imaging. DTU NanoLab has a state of the art cleanroom suited for fabrication of micromachined structures. CFU are experts in synthetic aperture ultrasound imaging and has the SARUS experimental ultrasound scanner, which can acquire and process data from 1024 transducer elements in real time. In synthetic aperture imaging it is possible to build up the image from several emissions and different elements can be measured from emissions to emissions. Combining all the data will significantly increase the image quality. The purpose is therefore to make CMUT probes with a large number of elements based on a row-column adressing scheme. These are then interfaced to the SARUS system and commercial scanners for real-time operation and experimentation.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU PhD Guide. http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD/Rules/PhDguide

Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Erik V Thomsen.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus.


You can read more about career paths at DTU here. http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths

Further information

Additional information may be obtained from Professor Erik V. Thomsen, phone (+45) 4525 5766, e-mail: ervt (at) .dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU Health Tech on http://www.healthtech.dtu.dk. http://www.healthtech.dtu.dk/

Application

Please submit your online application no later than 18 March 2019 (local time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here) http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/phd/Applicant/Pre_acceptance-1-

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and scientific advice. Our staff of 6,000 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society, and our 11,200 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government and public agencies.


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jobCategoriesCodes_0: http://data.europa.eu/esco/isco/C2310

abstractJV_contact_0: Please apply using one of the specified channels

positionTypeCode: directhire

contractTypeCodes_0: fulltime

Arbejdsgiver Navn: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

source: DK-STAR