Nanofilms have a thickness of less than 100 nanometers. Established nanofilms are used to fabricate improved products and impart properties in a more concentrated fashion. They are typically deposited by familiar processing methods such as sputtering and atomic layer deposition. Emerging nanofilms, however, are coatings and films based on nanotechnology that are being developed for future use. They may be extracted, for example, from nanoparticles or self-assembled materials and then converted to dispersions for deposition. The majority of these newer materials are projected to be available in 2006. They will be deposited by traditional methods or, in most instances, by processes that are currently being developed.

(July 2, 2004) Jersey City, N.J.&#8212Cookson Electronics Assembly Materials will implement a tin surcharge on all invoices for ALPHA solder paste as soon as the London Metal Exchange (LME) price exceeds $9,500 per metric ton. The surcharge will cover the dramatic increase in the cost of tin, which has more than doubled in the last six months versus the previous two-year average. This calculation is based on official LME pricing. Prices for other metals over the same period have also risen sharply, with copper up 91%, lead up 128%, nickel up 146% and silver up 95%. The surcharge does not address the cost increases for these metals.