EdX

Micro and Nanofabrication (MEMS) (edX)

Micro and Nanofabrication (MEMS) (edX)

Learn the fundamentals of microfabrication and nanofabrication by using the most effective techniques in a cleanroom environment. Microfabrication and nanofabrication are the basis of manufacturing for nearly all modern miniaturized systems that are ubiquitously used in our daily life. Examples include; computer chips and integrated sensors for monitoring our environment, cars, mobile phones, medical devices and more.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Micro- and nanofabrication can be taught to students and professionals by textbooks and ex-cathedra lectures, but the real learning comes from seeing the manufacturing steps as they happen.

In this engineering course, we will go a step beyond classroom teaching to not only explain the basics of each fabrication step but also show you how it’s done through video sequences and zooming into the equipment.

What you'll learn

  • How to select the correct fabrication process for a specific micro-device or microsystem
  • Establish the workflow for the cleanroom processes
  • Identify how physical and chemical phenomena govern miniaturized systems for various applications
  • Resource planning for a given microsystem fabrication

Course Syllabus

Week 1: MEMS and cleanroom introduction
This module introduces the basics of electromechanical systems (MEMS) and cleanroom fabrication.

Week 2: Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
This module on chemical vapor deposition or CVD describes in detail basic principles of CVD and will show you the cleanroom infrastructure that is used to run a CVD process.

Week 3: Physical vapor deposition (PVD)
This module on physical vapor deposition describes in details the two main PVD methods; thermal evaporation and sputtering.

Week 4: Lithography
This module on lithography describes in details the two main resist patterning methods: optical and electron beam lithography.

Week 5: Dry etching
This module on dry etching describes etching in a gas environment. We will introduce etching directionality and anisotropy and give a few simple rules for choosing dry etching processes for specific materials in a plasma reactor and provide theoretical concepts that characterize a plasma in a dry etching equipment.

Week 6: Wet etching
This module on wet etching describes etching in a liquid environment. We will introduce anisotropic wet etching of silicon substrates, where certain lattice planes are etched and others not, isotropic etching of silicon, and finally thin membrane microfabrication techniques using wet etching.

Week 7: Inspection and metrology
This module describes methods of inspection and metrology based on four technique categories: optical, mechanical, charged beam and electrical.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Fundamentals of Manufacturing Processes (edX)

Study the processes used to manufacture products ranging from toys to smartphones, and learn fundamental principles and practical considerations that enable production at scale. Have you wondered how something was manufactured? Do you want to learn what it takes to turn your design into a finished product at scale? This course introduces a wide range of manufacturing processes including machining, injection molding, casing, and 3D printing; and explains the fundamental and practical aspects of manufacturing at scale.

This course is archived
5-12 Weeks
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) (Coursera)

In this course, learners will be introduced to the concept of the Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT, learn how it is applied in manufacturing, and what businesses should consider as they decide to implement this technology. Considerations include information technology infrastructure, the business value of implementing IIoT, and what needs to happen across the organization to ensure successful implementation.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Supply Chains for Manufacturing: Capacity Analytics (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Supply Chains for Manufacturing: Capacity Analytics (edX)

Learn about various models, methods and software tools to help make better decisions for system design in manufacturing systems and supply chains. You will learn about frameworks and models for structuring key system design issues and trade-offs that arise in today’s supply chains and manufacturing systems.

Aug 11th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Factory Automation: Shaping the Future of Manufacturing (Coursera) Coursera
Starweaver

Factory Automation: Shaping the Future of Manufacturing (Coursera)

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of factory automation, covering foundational concepts to practical applications. Participants explore the evolution of automation technology, including robotics and control systems, witnessing its role in optimizing production processes and enhancing productivity. Through real-world case studies, they learn how automation improves efficiency, safety, and innovation in manufacturing.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
CAM and Design Manufacturing for Mechanical Engineers with Autodesk Fusion 360 (Coursera) Coursera
Autodesk

CAM and Design Manufacturing for Mechanical Engineers with Autodesk Fusion 360 (Coursera)

With design for manufacturing, our design process focused on the design over its cost, but always keeping in mind how parts needed to be made. With manufacturing at the core of a design, we're able to fix potential problems in the design phase rather than after production. In many cases, the end product is made up of an assembly of different pieces to simplify manufacturing or to achieve specific design goals. Each piece represents a certain tolerance and put together, things might not work or fit if they weren’t accounted for in the design.

Nov 11th 2024
4 Weeks
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering (Coursera)

This Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) course and the Digital Thread courses featured earlier in this specialization bring together the concepts from across digital manufacturing and design, forming a vision in which the geometry of a product is just one way of describing it. MBSE is where the model resulting from the evolution of system requirements, design, analysis, verification and validation activities is the focus of design and manufacturing.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Digitalisation in the Aerospace Industry (Coursera) Coursera
Technische Universität München - TUM

Digitalisation in the Aerospace Industry (Coursera)

The online course Digitalisation in Aerospace aims at making you aware of special production requirements connected with digitalisation. You will learn about the role of robotics and automation in manufacturing and gain a better understanding of differing perspectives on research and manufacturing as well as the points where these intersect.

Nov 2nd 2026
3 Weeks
General AI in Action: From Theory to Real-World Impact (Coursera) Coursera
Coursera Instructor Network

General AI in Action: From Theory to Real-World Impact (Coursera)

General Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proven its value across industries. As learners explore the world of AI, they need to familiarize themselves with the myriad of possibilities available for leveraging AI to get faster results, better outcomes, and improved efficiencies. Most AI applications generally considered, involve marketing and retail. However, AI has expanded far beyond meeting and exceeding customer expectations. There are current AI use cases around the world; for learners to understand and prepare for the future, they need to know how AI is being used beyond retail spaces.

Jul 6th 2026
1 Week
Perspectives in Digital Transformation: Manufacturing (Coursera) Coursera
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB

Perspectives in Digital Transformation: Manufacturing (Coursera)

Are you interested in learning how Digital Transformation is driving the manufacturing sector in Latin America and the Caribbean? This course will help you identify challenges and opportunities that digitalization can offer in the industry. Along with specialists from BID Invest and the private sector, you will learn firsthand about the tools and best practices that illustrate the potential of digital solutions, with a cross-cutting focus on sustainability.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise (Coursera)

Enterprises that seek to become proficient in advanced manufacturing must incorporate manufacturing management tools and integrate data throughout the supply chain to be successful. This course will make students aware of what a digitally connected enterprise is, as they learn about the operational complexity of enterprises, business process optimization and the concept of an integrated product-process-value chain.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks