Automation of Measurement Tools for Porous Silicon Characterization

The Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) offers a research opportunity focused on developing software routines to automate the characterization of reactive porous silicon. The project involves automated ignition of reactive porous silicon as well as optical characterization via image capture and storage. Participants will develop machine learning algorithms based on acquired images to determine the overall structural integrity of reactive porous silicon both post-etch and pre-ignition. These automated algorithms will be trained to identify surface cracking and inadequate oxidizer filling to monitor device performance. Additionally, the project includes developing test routines for Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices using Verilog and Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language in support of current customer efforts. This opportunity is part of the ARL-RAP program, which is designed to increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army.