Manufacturing Of Electronic Devices Research Articles

Experimental study of flexible sensors based on ultraviolet nanosecond laser induced graphene

Current laser-induced graphene (LIG) methods encounter challenges such as subpar graphene quality and intricate manufacturing of electronic devices using graphene. In order to tackle these issues, this paper proposes a method of using an ultraviolet nanosecond pulse laser to stimulate the formation of graphene. Polyimide (PI) is subjected to laser irradiation in a single step to produce high-quality porous graphene. Subsequently, low-cost flexible pressure and strain sensors are manufactured using graphene. The Raman spectroscopy results demonstrate that the graphene generated has excellent quality (ID/IG = 0.14, I2D/IG = 0.37). Scanning electron microscopy shows that the LIG surface has a uniform porous morphology, with a patterning precision of 100 μm and a sheet resistance of 9.29 Ω/sq. The performance of the flexible pressure sensor was evaluated, demonstrating precise sensitivity (0.75 KPa−1 within 2.5 KPa range), a broad detection range (0–160 KPa), and a minimal detection limit of 20 Pa. The strain sensor exhibited a high level of sensitivity to strain (GF factor of 139), a broad linear range of strain (0–35 %), a low limit of detection (capable of detecting strains as low as 0.6 %), and outstanding durability (no signal distortion was observed even after subjecting it to over 2500 cycles of stretching). Flexible sensors can be worn as electronic skin on fingers, the neck, and the surface of robotic claws. The research results show that ultraviolet nanosecond pulsed lasers, using the LIG process, can produce graphene of higher known quality. The flexible pressure and strain sensors fabricated from this graphene exhibit outstanding performance.

(Invited) Atomic Layer Etching: Basics, New Developments & Applications

Atomic layer etching (ALE) is becoming an important technology for patterning and shaping of electronic and photonic devices. This tutorial briefly recaps the fundamentals of thermal, directional and plasma assisted atomic layer etching. Performance benefits and limitations for ALE in comparison to the continuous processing analogues such as reactive ion etching, radical and vapor etching are the consequence of the cyclic self-limited structure of ALE processes. Selection criteria for the appropriate etching technology for a given task will be presented. The enormous progress in the development of new ALE process and chemistries will be illustrated using published and potential practical applications in the manufacturing of electronic and photonics devices. They include multi-patterning, advanced planar and 3D logic and memory devices, 2D materials, emerging memories comprised of hard to etch materials, power and optical devices and combinations of ALE and atomic layer deposition.

Chitosan-Based Electronics: The Importance of Acid Strength and Plasticizing Additives on Device Performance.

A rise in demand for disposable consumer electronics such as smart packaging, wearable electronics, and single-use point-of-source sensors requires the development of eco-friendly and compostable electronic materials. Chitosan is derived from crustacean waste and offers high dielectric constant values without requiring rigorous purification, making it sustainable for large-scale electronic device manufacturing. When processed in acidic media, the protonated backbone of chitosan pairs with counterions from the acid dissociation to form chitosan thin films with electrical double layers (EDLs) and tunable capacitive properties. We report the importance of the choice of acid when processing chitosan by surveying a series of halogenated and biosourced acids with varying pKa values and solutions with different pH values. Oxalic acid outperforms other acids, with a maximum areal capacitance of 161 nF·mm-2. Tartaric acid and citric acid, despite lower capacitance values, showed promising results with a stable EDL capacitance and high reproducibility, making them optimal for large-area manufacturing. The incorporation of sorbitol as a plasticizer boosts the EDL formation onset of all chitosan-acid combinations to 1 × 103-105 Hz and improves reproducibility. High-performing single-walled carbon nanotube thin film transistors were made using chitosan-based dielectrics treated with different acids with and without sorbitol, leading to transconductance as high as ≈5.2 μS and Ion/Ioff of 105. The capacitors and transistors remain functional after one year of storage in ambient conditions. Overall, this study demonstrates durable high-performance electronics based on chitosan and stresses the importance of processing acid and the use of plasticizing additives, such as sorbitol.

Research on the Current Status and Improvement Methods of Electrolytes for Lithium ion Batteries

Owing to their high energy density among other beneficial features, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) enjoy extensive application across sectors including aerospace engineering, civil transportation, and electronic device manufacturing. Nonetheless, the LIBs electrolyte presents certain drawbacks, which contribute to the diminishing performance of these batteries and pose risks to environmental safety. Considering these issues, the paper begins by presenting the operational principles of LIBs and examining the constituents of the electrolyte and discusses the roles of the individual components. Then, the causes of the problems and proposes improvement strategies are summarized. The working stability of LIBs at extreme temperatures can be improved by a series of measures, such as adding flame retardants and optimizing the composition of electrolytes. The aim of the research is to resolve the current problems with LIBs electrolytes and enhance the applicability and stability of LIBs in various practical situations.

Nonlinear resonance of fractional order viscoelastic PET films under temperature loading

The effects of oven temperature during printing on nonlinear vibration for fractional-order PET films are considered in this paper. The effect of temperature, fractional order modelling and some other parameters are analysed with respect to the response of the resonance. Fractional order kelvin-Voigt ontological relationship is used to describe the characteristics of viscoelastic materials. The differential equations for nonlinear vibrations are inferred according to the second law of Newton and the theory of von Karman. Discretization for nonlinear equations on locomotion using the Bubnov–Galerkin method. Forced co-oscillatory amplitude-frequency response equations for thin-films systems under temperature loading were calculated using the multiple scales method. Results of numeral results show that temperature, and fractional-order visco-elastic modelling influence the membrane's response to resonance. These results provide a basis for studying fractional-order visco-elastic films vibrations and identifying regions of stable operation in moving systems to prevent divergent instabilities for flexible electronic device manufacturing.

Exploring defect engineering in monolayer TiS[formula omitted] for next-generation electronic devices: Insights from first-principles study

Titanium trisulfide monolayer (TiS3) is a quasi-1D crystal with promising applications in a range of fields, including photoelectrochemical cells and thermoelectrics. Despite the emerging importance of monolayer TiS3, little is known regarding its intrinsic defects. In this work, we systematically investigate the stability, electronic, and magnetic properties of native defects in single layer TiS3, using Density Functional Theory. We consider S and Ti monovacancies, divacancies, extended Ti-nS (n=2−8) vacancy complexes, S and Ti antisites, as well as their complexes. We show that the likelihood of the formation of sulfur vacancies is strongly dependent on the symmetrically inequivalent lattice site at which the S vacancy is located. Under S-rich conditions, single sulfur vacancies are shown to be energetically more favorable than divacancies. In contrast, under Ti-rich conditions sulfur divacancies are more favorable than single S vacancies. We show that STi and TiS1 are most likely to form under S-rich and Ti-rich conditions, respectively, with low formation energies of -10.42 eV and -9.18 eV, and are therefore likely to be prevalent in single layer TiS3. We further consider defect levels in the band-gap, and show that several of these intrinsic defects are potential n-type or p-type dopants, while others will form deep electron/hole traps. Further, we show that while a number of these intrinsic defects induce no spin in the host, most intrinsic defects will induce a net magnetic moment in the host. The commonality of these defects in TiS3, will significantly impact applications such as spintronics, thermoelectrics, and the manufacturing of electronic devices.

High-precision inkjet 3D printing of curved multi-material structures: Morphology evolution and optimization

Multi-material printing is a significant developmental trend in the field of rapid prototyping. However, research on the simulation and prediction of multi-material formation is still at the droplet level and unable to calculate the changes in multi-material interface morphologies caused by flow and solidification. Additionally, it is not possible to predict the overall morphologies of the multi-material interfaces in a sample. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-material morphology evolution prediction model based on convolution gradient calculations. Using semi-empirical model of multi-material droplet sliding and spreading, overlapping flow, and the multi-material droplet film solidification model, precise predictions of deposition, flow, and solidification between multiple materials were achieved and extended to curved surface deposition. Based on the prediction results, we designed an iterative optimization method for the droplet distribution and droplet grayscale to realize high-precision jet deposition, solidification, and sintering integrated forming technology for multi-material samples. This method has an interface inclination prediction error of less than 0.8° and height error of less than 10 μm, with the interface inclination approaching 0° after iterative optimization. This method can be used for the high-precision printing of devices such as antennas and metamaterials. Based on microstrip antenna printing results, the center frequency was 14.9 GHz, return loss at the center frequency was 34.22 dB, and return loss was 10 dB in the 13.6–15.4 GHz band, providing a foundation for the conformal manufacturing of high-performance multi-material electronic devices.

Silver Nano-Inks Synthesized with Biobased Polymers for High-Resolution Electrohydrodynamic Printing Toward In-Space Manufacturing.

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing is an additive manufacturing technique capable of producing micro/nanoscale features by precisely jetting ink under an electric field. However, as a new technique compared to more conventional methods, commercially available inks designed and optimized for EHD are currently very limited. To address this challenge, a new silver nanoink platform was developed by synthesizing silver nanoparticles in situ with biobased polymer 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). Typically used as a thickening agent, HEC is cost-effect, biocompatible, and versatile in developing inks that meet the rheology criteria for high-resolution EHD jetting. This approach significantly outperforms the traditional use of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), enabling the stabilization of high solids content (>50 wt %) nanoinks for over 10 months with an HEC dosage 20 times lower than that required by PVP. The HEC-synthesized silver ink displays excellent electrical properties, yielding resistivities as low as 2.81 μΩ cm upon sintering, less than twice that of pure silver. Additionally, the capability to sinter at low temperatures (<200 °C) enables the use of this ink on polymer substrates for flexible devices. The synthesized nanoinks were also found to be capable of producing precise, high-resolution features by EHD printing with smooth lines narrower than 5 μm printed using a 100 μm nozzle. Additionally, a semiempirical model was developed to reveal the relationship between printing resolution, ink properties, and printing parameters, enabling precise printing control. Moreover, for the first time, the unique ability of EHD to achieve precise fabrication under microgravity was conclusively demonstrated through a parabolic flight test utilizing the HEC-based nanoinks. The study greatly expands the potential of printing thin films for the on-demand manufacturing of electronic devices in space.

A numerical inquiry of the MHD radiative thin film nanofluid flow and heat transfer augmentation for Ni and Ta nanoparticles of different shapes dispersed in C 12 H 26–C 15 H 32 over an unsteady, curved stretching surface

Thin films are a versatile technology used in various industries, including light-emitting diodes, magnetic recording media, electronic device manufacturing, and optical coating. They are crucial for studying quantum phenomena, superlattices, and multiferroic materials. Their small size allows for better thermal transport studies due to the combination of thin film flow and nanoparticles. Therefore, this study aims to investigate thin film flow and heat transfer with the effects of thermal radiations, magnetic field, and velocity slip in association with tantalum ( Ta ) and nickel ( Ni ) nanoparticles that emerged in kerosene oil ( C 12 H 26 − C 15 H 32 ) toward a curved stretching surface. A review of the pertinent literature indicates that no research has previously been done on the present problem of an unsteady thin film flow across a curved stretching surface. The problem under consideration is modeled by choosing the curvilinear coordinate system. The controlling nonlinear system of partial differential equations is transformed into the system of ordinary differential equations by using an appropriate similarity transformation and then solved numerically using the BVP 4 C technique in MATLAB . The impact of significant physical parameters on velocity, temperature, skin friction, and Nusselt numbers are depicted through graphs and radar charts. The investigation highlights the significant influence of magnetohydrodynamics ( MHD ) , thermal radiation, volumetric fraction, and velocity slip on the enhancement of nanofluid temperature. It is also noted that cylindrical-shaped Ta nanoparticles exhibited the maximum velocity, while blade-shaped Ni nanoparticles showed the lowest. Moreover, the maximum and minimum temperatures were observed for blade-shaped Ni nanoparticles and cylindrical Ta nanoparticles, respectively. Additionally, the maximum and minimum values of skin friction are found for cylindrical Ni nanoparticles and blade-shaped Ta nanoparticles, respectively. Similarly, the maximum and minimum Nusselt numbers are recorded for cylindrical Ta nanoparticles and blade-shaped Ni nanoparticles, respectively.

Modeling Electrode Shape Changes in Electrodeposition and Electrochemical Dissolution

In the fields of metal production, surface finishing, and electronic device manufacturing, achieving precise control over electrochemical processes is crucial for product quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This paper introduces an open-source modeling tool based on a dynamic mesh technique built on the finite volume method using the C ++ toolbox OpenFOAM. This tool has been validated against both newly proposed analytical solutions and existing numerical and experimental results in various conditions and kinetic controls. The analytical solution predicts the electrode surface position, current, or cell voltage difference for confined electrodes. It considers primary and secondary current distributions with linear kinetics under different electric control modes. Notably, the validation highlights the congruence of the new method with prior studies and underscores its potential to offer enhanced predictive capabilities. Furthermore, this work extends beyond traditional modeling approaches by incorporating pulse reverse plating, which has been successfully modeled using the dynamic mesh method. Additionally, a modified Wagner number (WaPR) is proposed to predict in advance the optimal conditions for achieving a more uniform deposit. This innovative approach contributes to the advancement of theoretical understanding and will improve practical applications in electrochemical deposition and dissolution processes.

Fuzzy Evaluation Model for Lifetime Performance Using Type-I Censoring Data

As global warming becomes increasingly serious, humans start to consider how to coexist with the natural environment. People become more and more aware of environmental protection and sustainable development. Therefore, in the pursuit of economic growth, it has become a consensus that enterprises should be responsible for the social and ecological environment. Regarding the manufacturing of electronic devices, as long as both component production quality and assembly quality are ensured, consumers can be provided with high-quality, safe, and efficient products. In light of this trend, enhancing product availability and reliability can reduce costs and carbon emissions resulting from repairing or replacing components, thus becoming a vital factor for corporate and environmental sustainability. Accordingly, enterprises enhance their economic benefits as well as have the effects of energy conservation and waste reduction by extending products’ service lifetime and increasing their added value. According to several studies, it takes a long time to retrieve electronic products’ lifetime data. Moreover, acquiring complete samples is often challenging. Consequently, when analyzing real cases, samples are usually collected using censoring techniques. The type-I right censoring data is suitable for industrial processes. Thus, this study utilized type-I right censoring sample data to estimate the lifetime performance index. It usually takes a large amount of time to access lifetime data for electronic products and it is often impossible to obtain complete samples since the size of the sample is usually small. Hence, to avoid misjudgment caused by sampling errors, this study followed suggestions from existing research and applied fuzzy tests built on confidence intervals to establish a fuzzy evaluation model for the lifetime performance index. This model helps relevant electronic industries not only evaluate the lifetime of their electronic components but also instantly seize opportunities for improvement.

Continuous dual-network alginate hydrogel fibers with superior mechanical and electrical performance for flexible multi-functional sensors

Hydrogel fibers play a crucial role in the design and manufacturing of flexible electronic devices. However, continuous production of hydrogel fibers with high strength, toughness, and conductivity remains a significant challenge. In this study, ion-conductive sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol composite hydrogel fibers with an interlocked dual network structure were prepared through continuous wet spinning based on the pH-responsive dynamic borate ester bonds. Owing to the interlocked dual network structure, the resulting hydrogel fibers integrated superior performance of strength (4.31 MPa), elongation-at-break (>1500 %), ion conductivity (17.98 S m−1) and response sensitivity to strain (GF = 3.051). Benefiting from the excellent performance, the composite hydrogel fiber could be applied as motion-detecting sensors, including high-frequency, high-speed reciprocating mechanical motion, and human motion. Furthermore, the superior compatibility for human-computer interaction of the hydrogel fiber was also demonstrated, which a manipulator could be controlled to perform different actions, by a smart glove equipped with the hydrogel fiber sensors.

Site-selective core/shell deposition of tin on multi-segment nanowires for magnetic assembly and soldered interconnection

The field of nanotechnology continues to grow with the ongoing discovery and characterization of novel nanomaterials with unconventional size-dependent properties; however, the ability to apply modern manufacturing strategies for practical device design of these nanoscale structures is significantly limited by their small size. Although interconnection has been previously demonstrated between nanoscale components, such approaches often require the use of expensive oxidation-resistant noble metal materials and time-consuming or untargeted strategies for welded interconnection such as laser ablation or plasmonic resonance across randomly oriented component networks. In this work, a three-segment gold–nickel–gold nanowire structure is synthesized using templated electrodeposition and modified via monolayer-directed aqueous chemical reduction of tin solder selectively on the gold segments. This core/shell nanowire structure is capable of directed magnetic assembly tip-to-tip and along substrate pads in network orientation. Upon infrared heating in a flux vapor atmosphere, the solder payload melts and establishes robust and highly conductive wire–wire joints. The targeted solder deposition strategy has been applied to various other multi-segment gold/nickel nanowire configurations and other metallic systems to demonstrate the capability of the approach. This core/shell technique of pre-loading magnetically active nanowires with solder material simplifies the associated challenges of size-dependent component orientation in the manufacture of nanoscale electronic devices.

Structural Morphology of Organic Waste-derived Fiber in X–band Frequency

Sawdust is a by-product or waste product of woodworking such as cutting, sanding, machining, planning, and routing. Saw dust consists of small woodcutting intending to study the structural morphology of organic waste fiber derived in an X-band frequency and synthesis of the rice dust and sawdust. The solid-state method was employed to mix the husk, to obtain the fine power, and the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscope was used to determine the sample absorption rate. The FTIR results show that the best samples are 6.5 g and 6.5 g rice bark and sawdust, with an absorbance rate of 86% and 14% transmission, which will be used for the manufacture of electronic and communication devices.

All-solution-processed ultraflexible wearable sensor enabled with universal trilayer structure for organic optoelectronic devices.

All-solution-processed organic optoelectronic devices can enable the large-scale manufacture of ultrathin wearable electronics with integrated diverse functions. However, the complex multilayer-stacking device structure of organic optoelectronics poses challenges for scalable production. Here, we establish all-solution processes to fabricate a wearable, self-powered photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor. We achieve comparable performance and improved stability compared to complex reference devices with evaporated electrodes by using a trilayer device structure applicable to organic photovoltaics, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes. The PPG sensor array based on all-solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes and photodetectors can be fabricated on a large-area ultrathin substrate to achieve long storage stability. We integrate it with a large-area, all-solution-processed organic solar module to realize a self-powered health monitoring system. We fabricate high-throughput wearable electronic devices with complex functions on large-area ultrathin substrates based on organic optoelectronics. Our findings can advance the high-throughput manufacture of ultrathin electronic devices integrating complex functions.

Chemical modification and doping of poly(p-phenylenes): A theoretical study.

Conjugated polymers (CPs) have been recognized as promising materials for the manufacture of electronic devices. However, further studies are still needed to enhance the electrical conductivity of these type of organic materials. The two main strategies for achieving this improvement are the doping process and chemical modification of the polymer chain. Therefore, in this article, we conduct a theoretical investigation, employing DFT calculations to evaluate the structural, energetic, and electronic properties of pristine and push-pull-derived poly(p-phenylene) oligomers (PPPs), as well as the analysis at the molecular level of the polymer doping process. As a primary conclusion, we determined that the PPP oligomer substituted with the push-pull group 4-EtN/CNPhNO2 exhibited the smallest HOMO-LUMO gap (Eg) among the studied oligomers. Moreover, we observed that the doping process, whether through electron removal or the introduction of the dopant anion ClO4-, led to a substantial reduction in the Eg of the PPP, indicating an enhancement in the polymer's electrical conductivity. DFT calculations were conducted using the PBE0 functional along with the Pople's split valence 6-31G(d,p) basis set, which includes polarization functions on all atoms (B97D/6-31G(d,p)).

Optical Investigation of Reduced Graphene Oxide / Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite Thin Films Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method

The growing need for unique optical properties in the manufacturing of electronic devices has led the world to the field of hybrid materials and their composites. In this study, a simple physical technique was used to successfully manufacture hybrid nanocomposites containing nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) and graphene oxide (GO) powder using the hydrothermal method. For two hydrothermal treatment times (12h and 24h), various samples were created: TiO2, rGO, and TiO2/rGO nanocomposites thin films. Fourier transformer infrared (FTIR) spectra of the samples gave clear evidence for the reduction of GO and the engagement of Ti with reduced graphene by the formation of a Ti-O-C bond. The measurement of the energy band gap obtained by the photoluminescence spectrometer shows a decrease in the energy band gap for all samples after the hydrothermal reaction time increases, for the composite, the band gap decreases to 2.65 eV and 2.64 eV.

Transient nucleation driven by solvent evaporation.

We theoretically investigate homogeneous crystal nucleation in a solution containing a solute and a volatile solvent. The solvent evaporates from the solution, thereby continuously increasing the concentration of the solute. We view it as an idealized model for the far-out-of-equilibrium conditions present during the liquid-state manufacturing of organic electronic devices. Our model is based on classical nucleation theory, taking the solvent to be a source of the transient conditions in which the solute drops out of the solution. Other than that, the solvent is not directly involved in the nucleation process itself. We approximately solve the kinetic master equations using a combination of Laplace transforms and singular perturbation theory, providing an analytical expression for the nucleation flux. Our results predict that (i) the nucleation flux lags slightly behind a commonly used quasi-steady-state approximation. This effect is governed by two counteracting effects originating from solvent evaporation: while a faster evaporation rate results in an increasingly larger influence of the lag time on the nucleation flux, this lag time itself is found to decrease with increasing evaporation rate. Moreover, we find that (ii) the nucleation flux and the quasi-steady-state nucleation flux are never identical, except trivially in the stationary limit, and (iii) the initial induction period of the nucleation flux, which we characterize as a generalized induction time, decreases weakly with the evaporation rate. This indicates that the relevant time scale for nucleation also decreases with an increasing evaporation rate. Our analytical theory compares favorably with results from a numerical evaluation of the governing kinetic equations.

Analyze and evaluate Apple’s investment potential in the current financial market

This research is centered on Apple, Inc., a prominent American-based multinational corporation renowned for its preeminent role in the design, manufacture, and distribution of advanced electronic devices alongside a diverse array of internet services. Established in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (Alex, 2015), Apple has risen to become the world’s largest company, boasting a market capitalization of $3 trillion and a listing on NASDAQ while occupying a significant position within the S&amp;P 500 index (Bob, 2023). Apple’s influence on computing and mobile technology is unparalleled, exemplified by the widespread adoption of its macOS and iOS operating systems in personal computers and mobile devices, contributing to the global popularity of Apple products. Apple is a frontrunner in the computer sector, known for its advanced systems and hardware. MacOS is one of the three major computer operating systems, alongside Microsoft and Linux.

Conducting Gold Nanoparticle Films via Sessile Drop Evaporation.

The deposit patterns obtained from the evaporation of drops containing insoluble solute particles are vital for several technologies, including inkjet printing and optical and electronic device manufacturing. In this work, we consider the evaporation of an aqueous reaction mixture typically used for gold nanoparticle (AuNP) synthesis. The patterns obtained from the evaporation-driven assembly of in situ generated AuNPs are studied using optical microscopy and SEM analyses. The evaporation of drops withdrawn at different reaction times is found to significantly influence the distribution of AuNPs in the dried patterns. The evolution of the deposit patterns is also explored by drying multiple drops on the solid substrate, wherein a drop of a fresh reaction mixture is introduced over the deposit pattern left by the evaporation of the drop dispensed at an earlier time. Using quantitative image analysis, we show that the interparticle separation between the AuNPs in the dried patterns left on the solid substrate decreases when the number of drops is increased. We find optimal conditions to achieve solid-supported AuNP films, wherein the particles are in close physical contact, leading to a conducting deposit. The current through the AuNP deposit is found to increase with increase in the number of drops due to evaporation-driven self-assembly of AuNPs into branch-like structures with reduced interparticle separation. In addition, we also show that it is possible to produce conducting AuNP deposits by drying multiple drops withdrawn from the same reaction mixture. The evaporation-driven assembly of the in situ grown nanoparticles from a reaction mixture presented in this work can be further exploited in optical and electronic device fabrication.