General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
SL-DRT-26-0661
Direction
DRT
Thesis topic details
Category
Engineering science
Thesis topics
Reinventing Microspeakers: From Planar Limits to 3D Designs for Ultrasonic Modulation Loudspeakers
Contract
Thèse
Job description
Are you looking for a PhD at the intersection of acoustics, microsystems, and innovation? This project may be for you.This PhD focuses on the design, fabrication, and experimental validation of an innovative MEMS microspeaker concept based on ultrasound demodulation. Conventional micro transducers face a major limitation: they require large planar surfaces to displace sufficient air at low frequencies, leading to increased device size and manufacturing cost. This project explores an alternative architecture using vertical blade structures, exploiting the third dimension together with ultrasound demodulation to improve electro acoustic efficiency while reducing device footprint.
Building on preliminary exploratory work, the objective of the PhD is to develop a complete MEMS loudspeaker demonstrator. The work will include physical modeling, multi-physics simulation, device design optimization, microfabrication process development, and experimental electro acoustic characterization. Particular attention will be given to identifying and overcoming the physical and technological limitations governing device performance.
The candidate will design and simulate the device architecture and contribute to the definition of the fabrication process in close interaction with microfabrication specialists. The PhD work will also include acoustic and electrical characterization of the fabricated devices in order to validate the proposed concepts and compare experimental results with modeling predictions. The PhD will take place in a multidisciplinary environment, providing access to expertise in acoustics, MEMS design, microfabrication processes, and electro acoustic measurement.
University / doctoral school
Electronique, Electrotechnique, Automatique, Traitement du Signal (EEATS)
Université Grenoble Alpes
Thesis topic location
Site
Grenoble
Requester
Position start date
01/10/2026
Person to be contacted by the applicant
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
En savoir plus
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=dg28vQYAAAAJ&hl=fr
https://www.leti-cea.fr/cea-tech/leti