Micro/Nanomechanical Devices: Introduction

This lecture introduces the course ME-426 on Micro/Nanomechanical Devices, covering the objectives, the instructor's background, and the course content. It explains the importance of reducing device size, the course objectives, and key concepts like energy loss mechanisms and nonlinear dynamic behavior. Practical matters such as class structure, evaluation, and workload are also discussed, along with the course schedule and required materials. The lecture concludes with take-home messages on scaling laws, transduction of motion, force/stress, dynamical behavior, and quality factor.