AI-Assisted Optimization of Electromagnetic MEMS Actuator Designs

Research & Development

What it collects

Operational data

Anonymized data

Simulation outputs from COMSOL finite-element software, representing electromagnetic field and physical performance data for candidate MEMS actuator geometries. No personal information is involved.

Government of Canada AI Register — 2526-NRC-CNRC-018

Run by: National Research Council Canada (NRC)
Where: No fixed location
Kept: Not stated by the Helpful Places.
Shared with: Not stated by the Helpful Places.

What it is for

Research & Development

This system uses an AI algorithm to design and optimize electromagnetic actuators used in deformable mirrors for correcting optical distortions caused by atmospheric turbulence. It is intended for applications in optical communications and astronomical observations. The system is developed and used internally by National Research Council Canada employees, and does not process personal information. The use of AI in this system is disclosed to users.

What it collects and what happens to it

Data taken in

Operational data

Anonymized data

Simulation outputs from COMSOL finite-element software, representing electromagnetic field and physical performance data for candidate MEMS actuator geometries. No personal information is involved.

Government of Canada AI Register — 2526-NRC-CNRC-018

Processing

Optimization

Surrogate-Assisted Multi-Objective Optimization (SAMOO): a machine learning surrogate model approximates the expensive COMSOL simulation to efficiently search for Pareto-optimal actuator designs across multiple competing electromagnetic and structural objectives, even when training data from simulations and prototype fabrication is very limited.

Government of Canada AI Register — 2526-NRC-CNRC-018

What it does

Deciding (Analytical AI)

Human decides

The system predicts and scores candidate MEMS actuator designs using surrogate-assisted multi-objective optimization, ranking design candidates according to electromagnetic performance criteria. Human researchers interpret the ranked outputs and decide which designs to fabricate or refine.

Government of Canada AI Register — 2526-NRC-CNRC-018

Outputs

A recommendation or prediction

Anonymized data

A ranked set of optimal MEMS actuator design configurations (geometries, material parameters) identified as Pareto-optimal candidates. These are advisory outputs — researchers decide which designs to validate, prototype, or take forward.

Government of Canada AI Register — 2526-NRC-CNRC-018

Run by

National Research Council Canada (NRC)

National Research Council Canada is the Government of Canada department responsible for deploying and operating this AI system, which is used exclusively by GC employees for research purposes.

Government of Canada AI Register — 2526-NRC-CNRC-018

Built by

Not stated by the Helpful Places.

Kept for

Not stated by the Helpful Places.

Shared with

Not stated by the Helpful Places.

Stored

Not stated by the Helpful Places.

How to read the colours

Can it identify you?

Anonymized data: Data about people with the link to who is broken. Stripped of identifiers, blurred, aggregated, or noised so this system can’t reasonably tie a record back to an individual.
Pseudonymous data: Each person’s data is tied to a token (hash, ID, template) that lets this system recognise the same person across events, but the token itself doesn’t reveal a name. Reidentification is possible with extra information.
Identifiable data: The data either contains a direct identifier (name, address, account name, recognisable face or voice, plate number) or carries a token this system uses to look up legal identity during processing.

Who completes the loop?

Human decides: This mode suggests; a person decides what to do next. The AI is always advisory — a human is in the loop on every decision. Example: a triage tool ranks cases for a clinician who chooses which to see first.
Human executes: This mode decides; a person carries out the result. Example: an optimizer plans the day’s trash-collection routes, and drivers run them.
Autonomous: This mode decides and acts on its own. No person reviews each decision or carries out the resulting action.

Definitions from the DTPR standard. Amber is about your data, violet about who decides. The fuller the shape and the deeper the colour, the more identifying the data or the less a person is involved.

What you can do

Ask about this system

Questions go to the Helpful Places, not the vendor.

Your rights

Right to Algorithmic TransparencyThe use of AI in this system is disclosed to users. Users are GC employees at National Research Council Canada who interact with the system directly in a research context and have visibility into the AI methodology employed.

Risks and safeguards

No risks or safeguards have been published for this system yet.