Jetting of nano-enhanced materials for packaging application
- Reference number
- SM14-0024
- Start and end dates
- 151015-161014
- Amount granted
- 877 500 SEK
- Administrative organization
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Research area
- Materials Science and Technology
Summary
The introduction of nano materials, including fullerene, graphene and carbon nanotubes, into the realm of production processes is one of the most exciting areas of research available today. The purpose of this project is to obtain a deepened fundamental and applied understanding of the utilisation of nano-enhanced fluids. The project will initiate an intimate research research collaboration between the Dept. of Research and development at Mycronic AB and the Dept. of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers. Our goal is to gain fundamental and applied understanding concerning the use of drop-on-demand technology for the deposition of nano-enhanced fluids for the enabling of advanced integration and 3D packaging solutions within electronics production. The fundamental understanding of the material properties of these fluids within this application is also relevant to processes ranging from rapid prototyping, and printing of polymer materials for biotechnical applications. The project is envisioned to consist of two periods. The first period will consist of a formulation phase, where novel nano-enhanced fluids, containing for example graphene and a nano-metal matrix, will be produced with a focus on valid jetting properties and storage stability. The second phase will consist of a period of hardware testing with a demonstration 3D electronic packaging system.
Popular science description
The transistor scaling trend, following Moore’s law for more than 40 years, appears to be slowing down due to critical physical and technological problems that the electronics industry is forced to meet as it moves forward. Strategies for moving forward include increased system level integration, which is already seen in the advances in intricate solutions that package an array of components or functionalities in one electronic package. These efforts toward increased functional densification in order to save precious board space and reduced signal delay include component integration and three-dimensional (3D) integration. The main goal of the project is to gain fundamental and applied understanding concerning the use of a modified inkjet technology for the deposition of fluids that include nano carbon materials for the enabling of advanced integration and 3D packaging solutions within electronics production. The nano materials mentioned above include for example graphene and carbon nanotubes, sheets and tubes of carbon (CNTs). CNTs and graphene have attracted tremendous research interest due to their exceptional electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. The drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet-printing process is a promising approach for large-area electronics. Potentially, it could enable large-scale, low-cost manufacture of graphene for electrical connection points and sensor arrays on component surfaces. The research on inkjet printing of graphene is still in its infancy, and further investigation is needed. By experimenting with the deposition of nano-enhanced fluids with an inkjet technology, this project will take necessary steps to enable the manufacturing of tomorrows electronics.