Brookhaven Lab researchers and collaborators build structures from 2D materials and study how energy and charge move between layers for future devices
Continue readingMaking big leaps in understanding nanoscale gaps
Flaky compound to prevent computer chips from getting fried
A research team from Skoltech, Russia, has improved the properties of a polymer used in 3D printing by adding boron nitride “flakes” to the photopolymer, doubling the material’s thermal conductivity.
Continue readingAmkor advanced packaging enables the car of the future
Amkor Technology, Inc., Tempe, Ariz., a leading provider of semiconductor packaging and test services and the #1 automotive OSAT, is innovating advanced packaging to enable the car of the future.
Continue readingThermo Fisher Scientific’s new-generation fully automated (S)TEM metrology solution for high volume semiconductor manufacturing
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hillsboro, Ore., introduced the Thermo Scientific Metrios 6 Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope ((S)TEM) — a new-generation, fully automated (S)TEM metrology solution to help enhance productivity and deliver data quality assurance for high-volume semiconductor manufacturing.
Continue readingCold spray tantalum coating boosts fusion reactor performance
University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers have used a spray coating technology to produce a new workhorse material that can withstand the harsh conditions inside a fusion reactor.
Continue readingPreviously unknown material could revolutionize cancer treatment
Anew material, created at the little-explored intersection of organic and inorganic chemistry, could not only enable more powerful solar panels, but it could also usher in the next generation of cancer treatments.
Continue readingImec first to demonstrate conductor films on 300 mm wafers with lower resistivity than Cu and Ru
Imec, Belgium, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, provided the first experimental evidence that the resistivity of a thin conductor film on a 300mm Si wafer can be lower than that of Cu and Ru, which are currently used in interconnect metallization schemes, marking a milestone towards enabling low-resistive interconnect with line widths below 10nm.
Continue readingStanford University sends semiconductor investigation to the International Space Station
Researchers from Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., sent an investigation to the space station to leverage microgravity to improve the synthesis of materials for photovoltaic devices designed to convert sunlight into electricity for solar energy applications.
Continue readingWith PowerVia, Intel achieves a chipmaking breakthrough
Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif., devised a process to manufacture, test, and demonstrate positive performance results with its new backside power solution called PowerVia, enabling chipmaking to go two-sided for the first time.
Continue readingSolar Atmospheres of California adds Airbus approval
Solar Atmospheres, Fontana, Calif., has announced that they are now Airbus approved for heat treating.
Frank Trujillo, director of Sales for Solar Atmospheres of California, stated that, “Many Airbus suppliers were in need of a heat treater in the West that could process parts, plates and bars in support of increased Airbus production rates. SCA is proud to be a partner on the Airbus Team!”
With our wide range of furnaces, we are capable of processing very small pieces or loads of 50,000 pounds and up to 24 feet in length. This approval will translate into improved lead-times and greater efficiencies for all Airbus suppliers that require heat treat services in the Western Region.
Nitrex installs nitriding system at Akademi Metalurji
Nitrex Vacuum, Quebec, has installed a turnkey nitriding system at Akademi Metalurji, a full-service commercial heat-treating solutions provider located in Turkey. The project includes a mid-sized pit-type furnace, advanced controls, three process technologies along with accelerated cooling.
The decision to invest in a new nitriding system was driven by the company’s objective to overcome efficiency and quality challenges faced with their previous furnace at the Gebze facility. The prior system consumed excessive amounts of process gases and yielded inconsistent nitriding results. With the addition of a Nitrex NX-1015 pit furnace, Akademi Metalurji can now save on process gases and production time, while also expanding their heat treatment capabilities to accommodate wider-dimensioned parts. The nitriding furnace offers an effective work zone of 39” diameter by 59” high (1000 x 1500 mm) and can handle a load of up to 4400 lbs. (2000 kg). The supplied library of Nitreg-based recipes is tailored to meet different application requirements, resulting in a hardened surface that is highly wear-resistant. For applications like machinery components, tooling, dies, and molds, where Akademi Metalurji specializes, Nitreg delivers improved tooling performance, ensuring longer service life and higher throughput. Ultimately, this leads to tool cost savings for their customers.
The system was successfully installed at the Gebze facility, located southeast of Istanbul, and commenced operations in April 2023. Since then, it has been running smoothly, delivering excellent results.
Wisconsin Oven ships electrically heated horizontal quench system
Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, announced the shipment of an Electrically Heated Horizontal Quench System to a manufacturer of products for the automotive industry. This system will be used for the solution treatment of aluminum.
The maximum temperature for this horizontal quench furnace is 1200°F and interior chamber dimensions of 2′ wide x 2′ high x 2′ long. The system has the capacity to heat 450 pounds of aluminum parts and the steel basket within 60 minutes. Temperature uniformity of +/- 10°F at set points 850°F and 1050° F was verified with a nine point profile test prior to shipment.
This horizontal quench system provides a 15 second quench delay from when the door begins to open until the load is fully submerged in the tank. The quench is manual, where the operator pulls the load out of the oven and onto the quench elevator using a hook. The quench delay time is recorded and enforced using sensors to detect the start and end of the quench operation, and to stop the process if the quench delay time expires.
Applied Materials plans multibillion dollar semiconductor research facility
Applied Materials has announced a landmark investment to build the world’s largest and most advanced facility for collaborative semiconductor process technology and manufacturing equipment research and development (R&D)
Continue readingStretching metals allows researchers to create materials for quantum, electronic, and spintronic applications
A University of Minnesota-led team has developed a first-of-its-kind, breakthrough method that makes it easier to create high-quality metal oxide thin films out of “stubborn” metals that have historically been difficult to synthesize in an atomically precise manner.
Continue readingHardide Coatings partners with Gardner Aerospace to coat Airbus components
Hardide Coatings, UK, has entered into a partnership with Gardner Aerospace, UK, to coat key wing components for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft.
Continue readingBoeing begins construction on new Phantom Works coating facility
Boeing, Arlington, Va., has begun construction on a new facility to house state-of-the-art, post-assembly phases of future military aircraft production.
Continue readingSeco/Warwick to supply a vacuum furnace specifically designed for the MRO industry
Seco/Warwick, Meadville, Pa., will supply a vacuum furnace specifically for the maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) industry. The solution will be utilized for repair solutions for both complex aircraft engines and gas turbines for the energy industry in Hungary.
The furnace on order is a unique solution due to the effective size of the heating chamber. It has been adapted to the AeroSpace Power requirements and has a working area of 1300 x 1000 x 1500 mm. Thanks to this, the furnace can accommodate large components – mainly aircraft parts, as well as gas turbines for the energy sector.
The featured technology on order, in addition to non-standard dimensions, is designed to process work in the presence of two gases: argon (used for partial pressure) and nitrogen, which is used mainly in the cooling process.
Additionally, the furnace will be equipped with a dew point sensor for each of the gases. It is a system which solves one of heat treatment’s very critical operational requirements, which is to control the quality/purity of gas used during the process. Vector also features a partial pressure control system based on three gases (hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen) to help prevent evaporation and sublimation of alloying elements from the load surface during the vacuum heat treatment or vacuum brazing process.
New material offers more durable, sustainable multi-level non-volatile phase change memory
Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the development of non-volatile phase change memory.
Continue readingSeco/Warwick furnace to process Jet Engine components
Seco/Warwick, Meadville, PA, has developed a system to perform clean brazing processes in high vacuum as efficiently as possible, ensuring the highest protection of the treated part surfaces. The solution will be used to process jet engine components.
The German Partner carries out comprehensive repairs of technologically advanced jet engines. The company also has a research center which develops innovative repair techniques for various types of components and entire engines. The group employs several thousand qualified employees in various locations around the world and is a leader among companies repairing and providing full service MRO for jet engines. The purchase of a vertical vacuum furnace will improve production processes and significantly increase the commercial heat treater’s efficiency.
Read further here.
Processing of nano-reinforced aluminum hybrid metal matrix composites and the effect of post-heat treatment: a review
A review from the School of Engineering and Technology, India, describes the increasing demand for cutting-edge materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio and economic considerations. Lightweight materials such as aluminum (Al) and its alloys are attractive, but some properties such as low thermal stability and high wear rate limit the application of aluminum alloys (AA) to some extent. Many researchers have developed various composites to get around these restrictions and increase the performance of aluminum and its alloy. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) with nanoparticles have revealed greater mechanical and tribological properties compared with micron-sized reinforcements. This review summarizes the latest developments in this field.
U.S. government awards GlobalFoundries new $3.1 Billion, 10-year contract for secure chip manufacturing
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded GlobalFoundries, Malta, New York, a new 10-year contract for a supply of securely manufactured, U.S.-made semiconductors for use across a wide range of critical aerospace and defense applications.
Continue readingNavy expanding cold spray welding alternative in fleet repair
The United States Navy has partnered with VRC Metal Systems, a Box Elder, S.D.-based company that specializes in cold-spray technology, to create “pop-up” production cells within 90 days, which will be located near ports.
Continue readingNorman Noble develops higher power system for Nitinol implants
Norman Noble, Highland Heights, Ohio, has developed a high power system to provide the cleanest cut with no HAZ (Heat Affected Zone).
Norman Noble’s vice president of manufacturing, Dan Stefano said, “We are excited to announce the release of our Stealth HP Laser Cutting technology. This state-of-the-art laser cutting process provides for cutting thicker wall Nitinol medical devices HAZ-free while reducing the need for costly secondary operations. This technology, coupled with our fully automated/validated processes, continues to position Norman Noble as a leading contract manufacturer for the production of medical devices and implants.”
Noble STEALTH HP is an ultrashort pulse laser that reduces or eliminates costly deburring and post-processing steps because it can cut with no heat affected zone. These elements increase quality and yield of medical devices. Athermal lasers enable the machining of next generation vascular and orthopedic implants that otherwise would be impossible to produce.
Resonant Link and Cirtec Medical Partner to power the future of implantable medical devices
Cirtec Medical Partner, South Burlington, Vt., and wireless charging leader Resonant Link have announced a strategic partnership to power the future of implantable medical devices.
By combining Resonant Link’s next generation wireless power with Cirtec Medical’s expert product design, development, and manufacturing services, this partnership is expected to deliver medical device makers the best technology, fully integrated components, and faster time to market.
Cirtec Medical’s neuromodulation platforms give medical device makers a path to
reduce development costs and accelerate time to market. Whether bringing a novel therapy to
market or rapidly moving to a next-generation design suitable for high-volume manufacturing,
Cirtec Medical and Resonant Link have the expertise and resources to help medical device
teams deliver smaller, smarter, and scalable devices that clinicians want and patients need.
Medical implant hardening in a SECO/WARWICK furnace
SECO/WARWICK, Meadville, PA, announced that they will supply a Vector vacuum furnace to the Marle Group, a global manufacturer of orthopedic prostheses. The furnace on order will be used for the heat treatment of cobalt implants. Cobalt alloy hardening requires very high temperatures, and the heating process for these materials require a high puriity environment, temperature uniformity and very fast and effective cooling.
In order for cobalt alloys to be used in implantology, they must be deprived of their ferromagnetic properties. This shiny, hard metal loses this property only when it reaches a temperature higher than 1131°C. Such a high temperature makes it necessary to use a vacuum furnace in the implant production process. The furnace can not only provide such a temperature, but also guarantees its maintenance over a longer period of time. As a comparison, the temperature, above which a ferSECO/WARWICK, Meadville, PA, announced that they will supply a Vector vacuum furnace to the Marle Group, a global manufacturer of orthopedic prostheses. The furnace on order will be used for the heat treatment of cobalt implants. Cobalt alloy hardening requires very high temperatures, and the heating process for these materials require a high puriity environment, temperature uniformity and very fast and effective cooling.
One Minute Mentor: Indirectly heated fluidized-bed furnace
Most fluidized-bed furnaces are used at temperatures below 1095 °C (2000 °F), although some manufacturers have furnaces capable of treating components to temperatures through 1205 °C (2200 °F). Initially, the gas flows upward through the permeable base to agitate the particles as the pressure is gradually increased. (b) Eventually, the gas flow is sufficient to lift the small particles of refractory materials and to transform the particle movement into a violent turbulent motion.
In the early 1980s, this furnace technology seemed to be on the right track as an alternative to salt bath technology, showing similar advantages and applications but without the environmental hazard of salt compounds, waste disposal, recycling of salts, and so on. Nowadays it can be concluded that salt bath technology was partially substituted by vacuum technology, but especially for bainitic hardening (austempering processes), salt baths are still commonly used and show a slightly growing tendency, whereas fluidized beds are hardly used any more.
This temperature limitation is related to the wear and tear on the retort materials at high temperatures, which was one of the reasons for the reduced interest in this furnace type after the initial hype.
For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 8.
R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958
UTA scientists look to develop domestic sources for rare earth metals
A multidisciplinary team of University of Texas at Arlington researchers has received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve the supply chain for rare earth metals.
Continue readingMagnetoelectric material can reconnect severed nerves
Magnetoelectric material is first of its kind able to directly stimulate neural tissue
Continue readingCamtek to acquire FormFactor’s FRT metrology business
Camtek Ltd., Israel, together with FormFactor, Inc., Livermore, Calif., entered into an agreement for the acquisition by Camtek of FormFactor, Inc.’s FRT Metrology business for $100 million in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.
Continue readingMA-tek follows big clients as it expands
Materials Analysis Technology Inc., Taiwan, is setting up new laboratories in Kumamoto, Japan, and the US state of Arizona to support its “big clients,” and is eyeing more locations in the future amid the changing IC supply chain landscape.
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