Category Archives: LEDs

February 3, 2012 — Hanwha L&C of Korea signed a letter of intent (LOI) to obtain manufacturing and distribution rights to ElectriPlast from Integral Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: ITKG) (OTCQB: ITKG), hybrid conductive plastics maker. The LOI is applicable for various parts of Asia.

ElectriPlast is a non-corrosive, electrically conductive resin-based material that can be molded into various shapes and sizes, reducing component weight by up to 40% compared to plastics, rubbers and other polymers. Applications include power electronics, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), connectors, batteries, semiconductors, sensors and antennae, and more.

Independent testing of ElectriPlast, over several months, showed that it met or exceeded Hanwha L&C’s conductivity, shielding (both electric and electro-magnetic) and mechanical strength requirements.

Specifically, the LOI contemplates Integral and Hanwha L&C entering into definitive agreements granting an exclusive license to manufacture and distribute ElectriPlast in Korea. The LOI further contemplates a non-exclusive license to distribute ElectriPlast in China, Japan and Taiwan, as well as a right of first refusal to extend the exclusive license to manufacture in Korea to China, Japan and Taiwan and to make the non-exclusive license to distribute in China, Japan and Taiwan an exclusive license.

The LOI is non-binding and calls for the completion of certain milestones by the parties. Definitive agreements could be executed as early as H1 2012.

Integral Technologies Inc. engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of electrically conductive hybrid plastics used primarily as raw materials in the production of industrial, commercial and consumer products and services worldwide. Integral is the original researcher, developer and 100% owner of all intellectual property surrounding the ElectriPlast technology, and markets the ElectriPlast product through Integral’s wholly owned subsidiary, ElectriPlast Corp.

Hanwha L&C is part of the Hanwha Group, a global diversified company with nearly $30 billion in annual revenue that operates in three main sectors: manufacturing & construction, finance and services & leisure. Hanwha L&C is in the construction materials field and has expanded into auto lightweight materials, electronic materials, and photovoltaic materials, as well as other high-value pioneering industries.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

February 2, 2012 — Rice University studied the fluorescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in new research, finding that the lengths and imperfections of individual nanotubes affect their fluorescence. This research focused on the light SWCNTs emit at near-infrared wavelengths.

The brightest nanotubes of a given length show consistent fluorescence intensity. The longer the nanotube, the brighter it fluoresces. "Maximum brightness is proportional to length," noted Bruce Weisman, who led the research. Weisman found a "well-defined limit" to the SWCNTs brightness. Brightness among nanotubes of the same length varied widely, likely due to damaged or defective structures or chemical reactions that allowed atoms to latch onto the surface.

Figure. Carbon nanotubes of varying fluorescence in a solution at Rice University.

Also read: Nano wire/CNT stack forms better photocatalytically active filter

Former graduate student Tonya Leeuw Cherukuri analyzed 400 individual nanotubes of a specific physical structure known as (10,2). The researchers applied spectral filtering to selectively view the specific type of nanotube. "We used spectroscopy to take this very polydisperse sample containing many different structures and study just one of them, the (10,2) nanotubes," Weisman said. "But even within that one type, there’s a wide range of lengths."

Weisman, Cherukuri, and postdoctoral fellow Dmitri Tsyboulski isolated 1 or 2 nanotubes at a time in a dilute sample, finding their lengths by analyzing videos of the moving tubes captured with a special fluorescence microscope. The movies also allowed Cherukuri to catalog their maximum brightness.

The researchers called these CNTs "fluorescence underachievers," because only a few bright ones fluoresce to their full potential. Most are only 50-20% of their potential brightness.

By studying the nanotubes, Rice University hopes to discover how their fluorescence is affected by growth methods and processing. This way, the researchers could minimize damage during nanotube manufacturing, potentially lessening or eliminating the dimming.

"These are insights you really can’t get from measurements on bulk samples," Weisman said.

Weisman said brightness properties may be important to medical imaging and industrial applications.

Graduate student Jason Streit is extending Cherukuri’s research, developing a way to automate the experiments to image and analyze dozens of nanotubes at once.

The research was supported by the Welch Foundation, the National Science Foundation and Applied NanoFluorescence.

Bruce Weisman’s Rice U. lab published the results in the current issue of the American Chemical Society journal ACS Nano. Access the ACS Nano article "How Nanotubes Get Their Glow": http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn2043516

See a video of fluorescent carbon nanotubes moving in a solution at http://youtu.be/4ceWLcOMxz0. SOURCE: Jason Streit/Rice University.

Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities. Go to http://www.rice.edu to learn more.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

February 1, 2012 — Semiconductor materials company Soitec (Euronext Paris) completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Altatech Semiconductor S.A. The final purchase price was EUR15 million.

Altatech Semiconductor gives Soitec access to specific equipment needed in its light emitting diode (LED) strategy. The buy will also support Soitec’s Plug&Sun stand-alone mini solar tracker system manufacturing ramp up. Altatech develops high-efficiency equipment for emerging semiconductor markets. It is based on high-tech semiconductor production technologies.

Also read: Soitec, Sumitomo Electric scale GaN engineered wafers to 6"

The acquisition was financed partly in cash and partly using Soitec stock, purchased by BNP Paribas Exane on the market under the share buy-back program approved by the shareholders during the combined ordinary and extraordinary meetings held on June 24, 2011. Selling shareholders are bound by certain holding requirements for the portion of the purchase price to be paid in Soitec stock.

Altatech Semiconductor is located in Montbonnot-Saint-Martin near Grenoble, France.

Soitec manufactures revolutionary semiconductor materials for energy and electronic applications. For more information, visit www.soitec.com.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

February 1, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — Novaled AG has been certified according to the ISO 9001:2008 international quality management standard by external auditors DQS GmbH. Novaled develops and manufactures organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs).

DQS auditors reviewed all of Novaled’s quality-related aspects as to compliance with the ISO 9001:2008 international quality management standard over the course of several days. “Novaled AG has…high internal and external quality standards,” noted Thomas John, DQS GmbH auditor, adding that the company has a high level of customer satisfaction.

Novaled has been following the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) Business Excellence Model for many years. The assessment was conducted throughout Europe in January 2011. The company received the “Recognized for Excellence” award with a 5-star rating.

In 2011, Novaled also won the Deutscher Zukunftspreis, Germany’s Federal President’s Award for Innovation and Technology, an annual prize honoring teams of creative people that realize breakthroughs in science and commercialize the results.

Novaled AG is an expert in the organic light emitting diode (OLED) field and specializes in high efficiency long lifetime OLED structures and organic electronics. Learn more at www.novaled.com.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

January 31, 2012 – BUSINESS WIRE — Cambrios Technologies Corporation, transparent conductor developer, appointed John LeMoncheck as president and CEO, and announced a $5 million Series D-3 financing round from Samsung Venture Investment Corporation. Dr. Michael R Knapp, Cambrios founding president and CEO, led the CEO search and will now become chairman.

Cambrios will use the funding and strategic leadership to accelerate product introductions and commercial growth in multiple consumer electronic device markets.

LeMoncheck’s background includes technology and consumer electronics industries and forging commercial partnerships. As president and CEO of SiBEAM, a pioneer in 60 GHz-based millimeter wave wireless technology, LeMoncheck developed the company into a leader in multi-gigabit communications for the consumer electronics market and successfully led the acquisition of the company by Silicon Image (NASDAQ:SIMG). Prior to SiBEAM, he was vice president of Consumer Electronics and PC/Display Products for Silicon Image, where he led to the company’s successful launch and commercialization of the HDMI standard, now used in over 2 billion devices as the preferred digital conductivity solution for consumer devices. He’s also served in roles at TeraLogic, Arithmos Inc., and Synaptics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UC San Diego and researched VLSI for imaging and pattern recognition applications at Caltech.

Cambrios’ transparent conductor solutions offer leading-edge optical and conductive properties for the touch, display, photovoltaic and lighting markets, LeMoncheck said.  

Samsung Venture Investment Corporation’s $5 million investment follows close discussions for collaboration on important and valuable projects with the Samsung Group over the past several years. "This is a very important milestone for the overall penetration of ClearOhm materials in our target markets," said LeMoncheck.

Cambrios ClearOhm is a coating material for plastic or glass, and an alternative to vacuum-deposited ceramic materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO). It can consistently achieve better transmission and resistance than ITO, Cambrios asserts. The product is available already deposited on PET film or another substrate, or as a transfer film.

Cambrios makes nanotechnology-based transparent electrodes for consumer device electronics. Learn more at www.cambrios.com.

Subscribe to Solid State Technology

January 31, 2012 — The Thick Film Division of Heraeus Precious Metals has announced a new name, Celcion, for its Insulated Aluminum Materials System. Celcion allows light emitting diode (LED) circuits to run cooler than metal-core printed circuit boards (MCPCBs).

Celcion, a Thick Film Materials System designed to insulate aluminum substrates, takes the same fit and form as traditional MCPCBs, while providing thermal conductivity and high dielectric breakdown strength. It is a simplified additive process that is faster, easier to use, and requires less materials than MCPCBs. The system allows circuits to be built directly onto aluminum substrates, eliminating the need for thermal interface materials (TIMs). This allows Celcion circuits to run 10°C cooler than MCPCBs.

Also read: LED test standards, packaging material challenges

Traditionally, MCPCBs are constructed using a subtractive process. Celcion features a selective additive process, applying material only where it is needed. It is reportedly faster with less waste, and enables inexpensive, fast-implementation design changes.

Figure. Actual thermal reading of LED circuits. Celcion-packaged LED reading is on the bottom. SOURCE: Heraeus.

With cooler circuits, fewer LEDs can be used to achieve the same light output. This suits high-power applications, such as general illumination, signs, signals and displays. It also offers increased performance benefits in power electronics, heaters and automotive manufacturing.   

Heraeus will feature Celcion at Booth 508 during the Strategies in Light 2012 conference and exhibition, Feb. 7 – 9, Santa Clara, CA, Booth 508. Through live, on-site product demonstrations, Heraeus will show how Celcion is used in manufacturing LEDs, and why it is a viable alternative to traditional MCPCBs.

Heraeus launched a website, http://celcionled.com/, to showcase the Insulated Aluminum Materials System. A video on the site describes the differences between the traditional MCPCB process and Celcion, and how LED performance is increased.

Heraeus Precious Metals North America Conshohocken LLC, Thick Film Division, is a worldwide supplier of thick film pastes, LTCC materials and precious metal powders to the hybrid microelectronics industry. The Thick Film Division offers products for thermal management applications, including LED packaging, power modules, and electronic heating units.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

January 30, 2012 — Gamma Scientific, light measurement instrumentation maker, introduced a low-cost spectrometer for quick and accurate testing for light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The RadOMA Lite linear CCD array spectrometer tests LED intensity and total flux.  

With near real-time speed and NIST-traceable measurement, the RadOMA Lite accepts an SMA905 fiber-optic input that can be connected to a various optics, including integrating spheres for total flux measurements or CIE127 Conditions A and B for intensity measurements. The RadOMA Lite features an 800kHz readout speed and slit options that can achieve resolutions between 0.5 and 3.0nm.

The custom RadOMA-Lite Windows software package for LEDs includes a simple, intuitive interface with automated report generation and a USB 2.0 interface.

Flexible custom configurations and application support are also available.

RadOMA spectroradiometers use a backside-thinned CCD detector with Gamma Scientific’s OMA optical multi-channel analyzer platform. The detector is a CCD Linear Array – 2048 pixels – 14μm x 200μm sensing pixel size – 1800 V/(l*s) @660nm sensitivity. It covers a spectral range of 380-780nm. Gratings: 600G/mm.

Gamma Scientific will be showcasing the RadOMA Lite and their complete line of LED test and measurement solutions in booths 501 and 600 at the Strategies in Light conference in Santa Clara, CA from February 7-9, 2012.

Gamma Scientific offers solutions for the LED and Solid-State Lighting (SSL) industries, ranging from single-device characterization to high-volume production testing, as well as measurement of integrated lamps and lumenaires. Learn more at http://www.gamma-sci.com/applications/led_test_measurement/.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

Last year has been an outstanding one for LED-related equipment sales. However, this former bright sky overclouds for capital expenditures in 2012, and many market analysts project around 18% decay for this years’ equipment sales. But to keep things straight, this number is mainly related to MOCVD sales, making up for about 50% of the LED equipment pie in one fab. In fact, downstream processes — including lithography, bonding, testing or packaging — are expected to further increase in capex for 2012.

Changing requirements

Traditionally, the most important factor for LED manufacturers has been tool cost. This was especially true for any downstream process after MOCVD growth. Today, these requirements are changing. More complex chip layouts for higher lumen output and increased LED efficiencies demand more sophisticated processes and equipments. Having said that, the focus of LED makers is shifted to more traditional values of equipment requirements, such as higher automation, enhanced yield and increased throughput.

It’s all about efficiency

Based on the Department of Energy LED manufacturing roadmap, costs are still a factor of 5-8 too high to trigger mass adoption of solid state lighting technology and efficiently compete with alternative technologies. This cost target directly rolls back to LED manufacturers and hence the equipment supplier, demanding for more efficient manufacturing technologies. Therefore, three general decision factors have been established, namely capital efficiency, footprint efficiency and cost of ownership. Capital efficiency basically tells the number of processed wafers per unit time for any capital dollar spent. Footprint efficiency gives the wafer output per unit time for any square-metre of fab space. Efficient use of precious fab space is very closely linked to how profitable a LED fab can be operated. Combining these factors lead to cost of ownership, being traditionally used in semiconductor industry rather than the LED industry.

Applying the above metrics to any process step illustrates their importance. As an example, optical lithography is the general applied patterning technique for LED manufacturing. With three to seven lithography layers – depending on application and LED complexity – any advantage in these metrics is multiplied several times. Thus, mask aligners can considerably leverage manufacturing cost. The newly developed EVG620HBL has been optimized according to these metrics. The system delivers industry-leading throughput and more than 20% increased capital efficiency as well as footprint efficiency.

Upcoming technical challenges

Another hot topic is patterned sapphire substrates (PSS), which enable higher light extraction and a reduced defect density. Looking into the future, feature sizes of PSS will be further minimized into the sub-micrometer range, leading to so-called nanometer PSS (NPSS). These NPSS substrates show considerable advantages, including further reduced defect density and increased extraction efficiency compared to micron-sized PSS. In this way, the overall LED efficiency is improved. Even a comparatively small increase in overall LED efficiency can considerably reduce the required chip area for a certain lumen output. Hence, LED efficiency is an important lever for cost reduction. Furthermore, when using NPSS, cost reduction is enabled by shortened sapphire etching and shortened growth time in the MOCVD, due to reduced feature size of NPSS substrates. On the other hand, manufacturing cost of NPSS is the same as standard PSS. With nano imprint lithography (NIL) and PHABLE, EVG has two different, cost-efficient technologies implemented in its portfolio.

In conclusion, with MOCVD market saturation, the focus of the LED industry is shifted to downstream processes. Increasing process yield and cost efficiency will be a central aspect for future equipment decisions of LED manufacturers. Advanced manufacturing technologies, to increase overall LED efficiency, are generating added value to current process flows.

Thomas Uhrmann (left) is Business Development Manager, EV Group, and Thorsten Matthias (right), is Business Development Director, EV Group.

 

January 27, 2012 — Near-eye micro-display maker MicroOLED introduced a 5.4-million-pixel-density, 0.61"-diagonal, low-power-consumption organic light-emitting diode (OLED) microdisplay on silicon.

The ultra-compact 5.4 million-pixel microdisplay with a sub-pixel pitch of 4.7µm2 doubles the pixel density of comparable products, MicroOLED reports. The company eliminates the gap between pixels, which means no black matrix. This increases image quality to levels suitable for defense, medical, and professional camera applications. High contrast (maximum 100,000:1) and high uniformity (96%) also generate high picture quality. The micro-display can operate on as low as 0.2W, even when the fully digital video input is embedded.

"The current trend in replacing optics with electronics components fits excellently with our ability to produce this exceptional picture quality in miniature format," said Eric Marcellin-Dibon, CEO of MicroOLED. It can be used in imaging applications including medical head-mounted displays, professional cameras, night-vision googles for military apps, and more.
 
The 5.4 million-pixel density microdisplay comes in full color (16 million colors), SXGA or monochrome formats (2,560 by 2,048 pixels), both with digital video input.   

MicroOLED makes highly power-efficient micro-displays with superior image quality for mobile near-to-eye viewing devices used by consumers, medical professionals, and the defense and security industry. MicroOLED is a privately held company with headquarters, R&D and a new 300,000-unit production facility located in Grenoble, a renowned center of excellence in France for chipset and nanotechnology development. The company is led by a management team highly experienced in advanced technologies, including several years’ research & development in OLED technology from CEA-LETI, a leading European micro-and nanotechnology research center. Learn more at http://www.microoled.net/.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!

January 26, 2012 — Umicore will consolidate production of its germanium-based optics products in the US, citing a majority market in the country. Umicore will phase out optics production in Olen, Belgium, consolidating all germanium optics production in its Quapaw, OK facility over the course of 18 months.

The market for these optics devices, used in thermal imaging systems, is predominantly US-based, said Umicore representatives. With demand for Ge optics declining in recent years, Umicore decided to bring operations closer to the client base and reduce production capacity.

Also read: Silicon Germanium: SiGe for mainstream semiconductor manufacturing

Umicore has undertaken actions, including a re-employment plan for the 89 fixed-contract workers affected, to minimize the impact on its employees at the Olen site. All temporary workers will be offered alternative employment possibilities elsewhere in Umicore’s Belgian operations. In total, 1,033 people are employed by Umicore at the Olen site.

Umicore is a global materials technology group with four business areas: Catalysis, Energy Materials, Performance Materials and Recycling. Learn more at www.umicore.com.

Visit the new LEDs Manufacturing Channel on ElectroIQ.com!