Category Archives: Materials and Equipment

September 13, 2007 — Unidym, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corp., announced that U.S. Patent No. 7,265,174 has been issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. With respect to transparent conductive films, Clemson University has exclusively licensed this patent to Unidym.

Unidym develops and manufactures carbon nanotubes for applications in the electronics industry. Unidym, which recently merged with Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc. (CNI), possesses a foundational patent portfolio that, according to the company, “covers nearly every aspect of carbon nanotube manufacturing and processing.”

U.S. Patent No. 7,265,174 includes composition of matter claims covering nanotube-based films that are electrically conductive and at least 80% optically transparent. It is the latest addition to Unidym’s extensive patent portfolio on carbon nanotechnology, now numbering over 70 issued U.S. Patents.

“The issued patent covers products that Unidym is currently developing for the touch screen, flat panel display, solar cell and solid state lighting markets,” stated Art Swift, President and CEO of Unidym. “With its March 22, 2001 priority date, this patent predates any similar composition of matter claim that we know of.”

September 12, 2007 – IBM says it has developed a new semiconductor technology that enables single-chip radio frequency (RF), integrating RF/analog functions including multimode/multiband RF switches, complex switch biasing networks, and power controllers.

The technology, named CMOS 7RF SOI, built using 0.18-micron process technologies and silicon-on-insulator, provides a low-cost alternative to chips built with compound semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs). Using SOI also can minimize insertion loss and maximize isolation to help avoid issues such as loss of signal or dropped calls, potentially enabling significant cost advantages to mobile handsets, IBM explained in a statement.

Initial hardware evaluations have been completed, and design kits are expected to be released sometime in 1H08. The technology is being targeted at applications requiring integrated multimedia functionality but also lower costs, an appealing combination for emerging markets (e.g. China, India, and Latin America), IBM notes.

Later improvements to the single-chip technology could integrate other capabilities, such as filtering, power amplification and management, and receiver/transmitter functions, that are currently either too costly or technically unfeasible to build into mobile devices, IBM said.

(September 7, 2007) CLEVELAND &#151 Nanomaterials have established a $1B market, primarily for use in electronics production, according to “World Nanomaterials,” from the Freedonia Group, Inc. The report suggests that more conventional uses &#151 wafer-polishing slurries or reinforced plastic composites &#151 still consume the volume of nanomaterials, but novel materials &#151 nanotubes and dendrimers &#151 will grow in popularity over the coming 10–20 years.

September 7, 2007 – Researchers at the U. of Illinois say they have devices an electrohydrodynamic jet (“e-jet”) printing process that can produce patterns and functional devices with better resolution “significantly exceeding” other inkjet technologies, with potential application in large-area circuits, displays, and phototovoltaic modules.

The paper, posted online in Nature Materials, describes e-jet printing using electric fields to pull fluid out of a nozzle, unlike conventional inkjet printers which use heat or mechanical vibrations to propel the droplets. In their work, a gold-coated nanoscale nozzle (~300nm dia.) is mounted on a computer-controlled mechanical support, and an organic coating on the gold ensures clean flow of the ink through the nozzle toward the target, with droplets ejected onto a moving substrate to produce patterns. They say the method can produce linewidths down to 700nm and 250nm dots. Thin-film transistors with aligned arrays of single-walled carbon nanotubes, and e-jet-printed source/drain electrodes, were printed on flexible plastic substrates, “with properties comparable to similar devices fabricated with conventional photolithographic methods,” they claim, in a statement.

“As an industrial process, this work opens up the possibility for low-cost and high-performance printed electronics and other systems that involve materials that cannot be manipulated with more common patterning methods derived from microelectronics fabrication,” stated Placid Ferreira, Pro. of Mechanical Science and Engineering. Fellow U. Illinois prof. John Rogers added that the high-resolution form of e-jet printing can also be used for diverse systems “such as printing microarrays of DNA spots for bioanalysis, or printing carbon nanotubes and other classes of nanomaterials.”

The e-jet method can also work with various organic and inorganic inks, including suspensions of solid objects such as nanoscale silicon rods, and with results also “extending to the submicron range,” the researchers noted.

By Gail Overton and Valerie Coffey, Small Times guest contributors

September 7, 2007 — SPIE’s Optics + Photonics show, held August 26-30, 2007, emphasized nano and solar technologies, “which are immensely important to our future,” said Akhlesh Lakhtakia, professor of engineering science and mechanics at Pennsylvania State University and editor of SPIE’s Journal of Nanophotonics, which explores the fabrication and application of nanostructures that generate or manipulate light. “But this emphasis on the nano and solar future has its feet firmly planted in the past glories and ongoing research in optics and photonics, a foundation from which all future technologies emerge,” continued Lakhtakia, who was among the event’s plenary speakers.

His presentation, titled “Brave New Nanoworld, without Apologies to Aldous Huxley” discussed the societal issues surrounding nanotechnology and educational strategies necessary for students and the general public to embrace its “socially transformative power.”

The event began, however, with an all-conference plenary consisting of two presentations; the first on “Technology to Enable our Solar Technology Future” by Thomas Feist, manager of the Thin Films Laboratory in Micro and Nano Structures Technologies at GE Global Research, the second on “The Concept of the Photon: Updated” by Marlon O. Scully of Texas A&M and Princeton University. Feist explained that the adoption of new solar-energy technologies will be speeded by systems that seamlessly integrate with existing building architectures such as the use of photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles and organic PV window glass. Feist applauded the Solar America Initiative being led by the U.S. Department of Energy, and provided an overview of the organic and inorganic solar-energy technologies such as roll-to-roll compatible dye-sensitized solar cells and classic silicon or crystalline PV technologies, respectively, that have the potential to achieve 80% conversion efficiencies.

The six nano-focused plenary sessions began with a visually exciting presentation on “Optically Driven Mechanical Micro/Nanosystems in Classical and Quantum Realms” by professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop, head of the School of Physical Sciences and a Director of the Centre for Biophotonics and Laser Science at the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia). Her many videos displayed in real time the optically induced rotation of birefringent calcium carbonate nanoparticle spheres and other nanomachines within fluids by using the orbital angular momentum of light. Even though Rubinsztein-Dunlop pointed out that renowned Caltech researcher Richard Feynman said that we don’t have to be useful (when it comes to working in the field of nanotechnology), we can just have fun (which these videos certainly are), she also explained how the properties of these spinning nanoparticles can be used to non-invasively determine the viscosity of fluids in the eye and even of intra-cellular fluids–a tiny “microviscometer” thanks to the ultra-small dimensions of these emerging nanomachines.

In the “Plastic Optoelectronics and Aligned Carbon Nanotube Devices” plenary, Professor of Nanomaterials at the University of Dayton, Liming Dai, described how polymer-infused carbon nanotubes can replicate the feet of a gecko and be used to produce smart membranes that can support tremendous weight on smooth surfaces. Even though Dai joked in his presentation that perhaps we can all be Spiderman someday, the image he displayed of a tiny membrane supporting a rather large weight as it clung tightly to a vertical piece of glass was not a joke; instead, it was a practical application of biomimetics working in concert with nanotechnology.

And if you thought being Spiderman was enough, how about the possibility of making tiny nanomachines that could undertake ‘The Fantastic Voyage’ of entering the human body and performing both diagnostic and curative tasks? Such a scenario was presented by Michael J. Heller, professor at the University of California, San Diego, who presented “Nanotechnology: New Tool for Diagnostics and Treatment of Cancer.” Heller discussed how in-vivo “Motherships” are being developed from a combination of specialized nanoparticles and integrated chip devices that could detect, for example, individual cancer cells and deliver chemotherapy agents directly to the affected cells.

New product announcements at Optics + Photonics 2007 included the MicroPhase three-dimensional topography solution from PhaseView-USA, a low-cost profiling system based on patented Digital Phase Technology that can measure in the nanometer range and be retrofitted to existing microscopes.

Gail Overton is Associate Editor and Valerie Coffey is Senior Editor at Laser Focus World, a sister publication to Small Times.

September 5, 2007 – Kulicke & Soffa Industries Inc. says revenues for its September quarter will be about 6.6% higher than initially thought, to $226 million, primarily due to more orders for its wire bonding equipment from large subcons.

Company chairman/CEO Scott Kulicke noted that the new orders were made possible by “adjustments” in the company’s manufacturing capacity and supply chain schedules. “This demand for our Maxum Ultra wire bonders provides an opportunity for the Company to satisfy our customers’ quick delivery needs and grow our leading market position,” he said in a statement.

Dr. Jeannette Benavides developed Nanotailor’s process (Photo: NASA GSFC Innovative Partnerships Program Office)

September 5, 2007 — A new company based in Austin, Texas, Nanotailor Inc., has licensed NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) fabrication process with plans to make high-quality, low-cost SWCNTs available commercially.

According to NASA, SWCNT production has been cost-prohibitive until now. “The nanotech industry is growing by more than 40% a year, but multi-walled carbon nanotubes have been the primary technology used. Single-walled technology just hasn’t taken off because of the cost,” notes Nanotailor president Ramon Perales. “If we can get the cost down, we can be a step ahead and make higher quality nanotechnology more affordable.”

NASA Goddard says its SWCNT manufacturing process is “simpler, safer, and much less costly” than other methods. Developed by retired GSFC researcher Dr. Jeannette Benavides, “the key to the innovation is the ability to produce bundles of SWCNTs without using a metal catalyst, dramatically reducing pre- and post-production costs while generating higher yields of better quality product.”

Nanotailor has built and tested a prototype and plans to go to market by the end of 2007. The company expects device integrators and nanotechnology-based device companies to be among its first customers, though Nanotailor hopes to cater to a wide variety of industries and research organizations. “All industries currently using multi-walled tubes will be able to benefit from this technology,” notes Nanotailor chief technology officer Reginald Parker. “We’re lowering the cost per gram while greatly improving the integrity of the nanotubes.”

Other start-up companies that have licensed the NASA process include Idaho Space Materials in Boise and E-City NanoTechnologies in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

September 4, 2007 – “Abrupt” shutdowns and delays caused by a “construction incident” at its Pasadena, TX facility has caused MEMC Electronic Materials to reduce its 3Q07 sales by about 5% below its $500 million target, though the company says it will likely recover those sales in 4Q.

The accident, characterized as a “construction incident” at its polysilicon facility’s expansion project caused by an electrical subcontractor, resulted in a power outage to the entire site for part of the day. While the facility is “in the late stages of recovery” from the incident, “the unplanned and abrupt shutdown of high temperature and pressure chemical operations,” complicated by heavy rains in the area, have delayed recovery at the operation and the site’s expansion project.

As a result, MEMC says it will lose about a week’s worth of production in the current quarter, pushing sales down by about 5% below its previous estimates of $500 million, with margins about flat vs. 2Q07 “due to associated costs.” The Associated Press noted that Thomson Financial analyst surveys expected $504.1M in sales.

The company hopes to recover some of the lost production in 4Q and minimize the impact to full-year targets, including the company’s capacity expansion, noted Nabeel Gareeb, MEMC president/CEO in a statement, adding that “the specific quantification” of such a recovery would be known after the end of this quarter.

Cohu Selects CFO


September 4, 2007

As VP of finance and controller at Delta Design, Jones managed fiscal business for the semiconductor equipment supplier, beginning in 2005. A CPA, he has 14 years experience in corporate finance and general management, and nine years experience in public accounting. Cohu supplies test handling, burn-in, and thermal solutions for semiconductor sectors.

IN THE NEWS


September 1, 2007

IMAPS Turns 40


Stephen M. R. Covey will kick off IMAPS 2007 with strategies for leadership.
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SAN JOSE, CA – IMAPS 2007, November 11-15 in San Jose, will mark IMAPS’ 40th year in the industry with an international presence, professional development courses and technical sessions, and an open-attendance marketing forum. IMAPS began in the Silicon Valley region as the International Society for Hybrid Microelectronics (ISHM), and will celebrate the anniversary by returning to the area. Its 2007 symposium and exhibition, chaired by Greg Caswell, will host translated sessions from Japanese and Chinese contributors – bringing technology and business developments in Asia to the U.S. base. This year initiates IMAPS’ collaboration with China Electronics Packaging Society (CEPS) and China Institute of Electronics (CIE), which involves delegations from the China societies.

Keynote speakers will also bring international themes to the conference. Stephen M. R. Covey, co-founder and former CEO of the Covey Leadership Center, will present the conference’s “kick-off” keynote. The Covey strategy is globally recognized from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Steven R. Covey, Ph.D., the keynoter’s father. Jim Miller, VP of product operations, Cisco Systems, will also speak. Miller manages new product introductions (NPIs) and lifecycle management for the global manufacturing organization. He holds a BS in aerospace engineering from Purdue University, a MS in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a MS in management from the Sloan School of Management at MIT. He was named an “MIT Leaders for Manufacturing” fellow. Another industry veteran, Dongkai Shangguan, Ph.D., Flextronics International, will round out the keynote roster. Shangguan, VP for assembly technology and platform realization under Flextronics’ corporate technology group, develops advanced packaging solutions and design for manufacturing (DfM) and excellence (DfX) strategies. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and materials from Tsinghua University, China, and the University of Oxford, U.K., respectively, and an MBA from San Jose State University (CA).

Names in the News

Henkel Corporation promoted Michael Todd, Ph.D., to vice president of product development and engineering for semiconductor and assembly technologies. Todd will maintain his duties related to product development in mold compound, die attach, wafer-level underfill, and chip-scale packaging (CSP) underfill at the company’s Irvine, CA, headquarters, and will expand these initiatives to Henkel’s Yantai and Linyuangong, China; Tainan, Taiwan; and Hemel Hempstead, U.K., facilities. To align R&D and applications efforts with customer requirements in key U.S., Europe, and Asia regions, Todd plans to focus on materials that enable reduced footprints and costs savings.


Michael Todd, Ph.D.
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Todd holds a Ph.D. in materials science engineering from the University of California, Irvine, and is a member of Advanced Packaging’s Editorial Advisory Board.

Randy Castillo joined J. P. Sercel Associates (JPSA) as field service engineer, bringing 18 years experience with laser and electromechanical fields. He will perform customer service and support, and will provide applications support. He has served in the U.S. Marine Corps. as a communications specialist servicing Navy sonar systems, and held positions with Honeywell, Electro Scientific Industries (ESI), Laser Services, and Laser Advantage.


Randy Castillo
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Ken Gilleo, Ph.D. joined the technical advisory board of Mirror Semiconductor Inc., bringing chemistry, electronics, and packaging experience to the start-up packaging company.Gilleo, owner, ET-Trends LLC (Warwick, RI), and author of MEMS/MOEMS Packaging (McGraw-Hill, NY), holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Connecticut and has worked in electronics sectors for 40 years. Mirror remaps off-the-shelf die to create new interconnect pin-outs without altering die performance.


Ken Gilleo, Ph.D.
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France-based ViTechnology appointed Jean-Yves Gomez as CEO, aiming to leverage Gomez’s experience in semiconductor and optoelectronics manufacturing toward its existing competencies in automated optical inspection (AOI) and measurement (AOM) markets. I’ve confronted the challenges of electronics assembly and optical inspection – miniaturization and a high mix of components – from a semiconductor standpoint, Gomez said, adding that he will use these experiences to further the company’s long-term strategies in these sectors. Gomez served in various market research, product development, engineering, and production positions with Thomson Semiconductors (subsequently SGS-Thomson and STMicroelectronics) from 1984 through 2007.


Jean-Yves Gomez
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F&K Delvotek was awarded a 2006 Supplier Excellence Award by sensor supplier Sensata Technologies, who has been using F&K wire bonding systems for many years. The award reportedly reflects outstanding performance and continuous improvement in supplying materials, equipment and services in 2006. Sensata evaluates nominees based on six criteria: cost, environmental responsibility, technology, responsiveness, assurance of supply and quality.