The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and RWTH Aachen University are using synchrotron radiation to study laser processes in real-time, making it possible to visualize phenomena like vapor capillaries and melt movements. This research aims to optimize battery and microelectronics production and to develop new materials. The team is working on systems for high-resolution imaging and phase contrast visualization, which are crucial for understanding material properties and behaviors.
Recent #Materials Science news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Researchers have developed a novel hybrid material that doubles thermoelectric efficiency by separating heat and electrical charge transport.
➁ The hybrid material combines an alloy of iron, vanadium, tantalum, and aluminum with a bismuth-antimony mixture, forming a compact structure that enhances energy conversion.
➂ This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy harvesting in miniaturized electronics, especially for IoT devices, offering both performance and cost-effectiveness.
➀ Researchers have developed a new approach to model seed particles with 100 to 200 atoms;
➁ The shapes of the tiny particles depend on the solvent composition and temperature;
➂ This research can suggest promising routes for growing nanoparticles with desired sizes and shapes.
➀ Battery production is crucial for industrial and climate policy, with a growing demand for energy storage systems. Challenges include raw material dependence and supply chain fragility.
➁ Advanced laser technology offers solutions for efficient, precise, and sustainable battery production, addressing issues in material processing, electrode production, and recycling.
➂ Innovations in electrode production, cell assembly, and module/pack production are highlighted, along with the integration of AI for process optimization and predictive maintenance.
➀ A research team led by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has developed an electronic skin capable of sensing and tracking magnetic fields with a single global sensor. This technology could enable new applications in virtual reality and underwater smartphone interaction.
➁ The e-skin is lightweight, transparent, and breathable, imitating the interaction between real skin and the brain. It uses a magnetosensitive functional layer as a global sensor surface, improving energy efficiency and mimicking real skin's functionality.
➂ The technology uses tomography, a method also used in medical MRI or CT scans, to reconstruct the position of signals, making it suitable for applications in robotics and human-machine interaction.
➀ Researchers from Rice University studied relaxor ferroelectric materials, finding that their fundamental properties change unexpectedly when reduced to thin films at a scale comparable to their internal polarization structures;
➁ The study focused on lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT), a widely used ceramic material, and observed an unexpected effect: the material exhibits enhanced performance before losing its unique properties;
➂ The research could inform the development of next-generation nanoelectronic devices and has potential applications in low-voltage magnetoelectrics, pyroelectric energy conversion, capacitive energy storage, and nanoelectromechanical systems.
➀ Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University investigated the adsorption of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on platinum-gold nanostructures.
➁ The study reveals the importance of void design in materials for next-generation sensors and gas separation technologies.
➂ The findings highlight the role of diffusion in nanoscale voids as a key factor in structural transformations and gas transport.
➀ The Fraunhofer Institutes for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU and for Production Technology and Applied Materials Research IFAM have achieved a breakthrough in materials research with the composite material HoverLIGHT, which sets new standards for machine tool construction.
➁ HoverLIGHT combines aluminum foam and particle-filled hollow spheres to achieve an unprecedented combination of lightness, rigidity, and vibration damping.
➂ In a joint project with an industrial partner, it was proven for the first time that HoverLIGHT dampens vibrations by a factor of 3 better than conventional materials in series machines, while saving 20 percent in weight.
➀ Researchers have identified a lithium-titanium-phosphate material with negative thermal expansion properties as a potential solution to the problem of reduced performance of lithium-ion batteries in cold environments. ➁ The material's unique crystal structure allows for efficient lithium-ion storage and transport at low temperatures, maintaining high capacity and discharge rates. ➂ This discovery could lead to improved battery performance in cold conditions, benefiting applications such as electric vehicles and aerospace.
➀ The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is organizing the 4th Quantum Matters in Materials Science (QMMS) workshop; ➁ The workshop focuses on quantum phenomena in emerging materials and aims to streamline efforts in experimental and computational research; ➂ Key topics include the discovery of new materials, optimization of known quantum materials, and challenges in integrating next-generation materials into integrated circuits.
➀ Researchers from IISc and UCL have developed a machine learning method using transfer learning to predict material properties; ➁ The method is particularly useful for applications like semiconductors and energy storage; ➂ The study employs Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and the Multi-property Pre-Training (MPT) framework to enhance predictive power.
➀ Discusses the trends in optical communication with a focus on the elements involved in the technology; ➁ Explains the challenges and bottlenecks in achieving high bandwidth, high capacity, low cost, high reliability, and low power consumption; ➂ Explores the use of materials like niobium acid lithium, bismuth, and indium gallium arsenide for enhancing bandwidth and capacity; ➃ Introduces the concept of low-power optical modules and their importance in high-speed data centers; ➄ Addresses the issues of material reliability and heat management in optical chips and packaging.
➀ The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS has developed a patented method with GEM Recovery Systems GRS to analyze antimony particles in rock using modern sensor technology. This allows for the identification of rare earths and minerals in rock and separation from worthless materials, increasing independence on this critical raw material. ➁ Antimony is a key component in many products, including semiconductor technology, solder, and car batteries. China and Russia are major suppliers, but China is imposing export restrictions on the rare material. ➂ The researchers are developing a sensor-based sorting technology to identify the metal in mining operations. This new technology could significantly reduce resource consumption and investment costs in the mining industry.
➀ The study explores the role of Ti and Pt electrodes in resistance switching variability of HfO2-based resistive random access memory. ➁ It investigates the mechanism of electroforming in metal oxide memristive switches. ➂ The research examines the impact of oxygen vacancies in HfO2-based gate stack breakdown. ➃ It also looks into the direct observation of oxygen movement during resistance switching in NiO/Pt film. ➄ The paper discusses the development of electronic synapses using layered two-dimensional materials.
➀ Nanoscale metallic multilayer composites (NMMCs) consist of alternating layers of different metals at the nanoscale, offering unique properties not found in bulk materials. ➁ These composites exhibit enhanced mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties, making them suitable for advanced applications in industries like aerospace and electronics. ➂ The review discusses various synthesis and characterization techniques, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to fully understand and optimize these materials for future technological advancements.
➀ Researchers at Georgia State University have discovered novel states of matter in a two-dimensional system under extreme conditions of near absolute zero temperatures and intense magnetic fields. ➁ The team observed the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) and found that FQHE states split and intersect in new ways when a supplementary current is applied. ➂ This discovery challenges existing theories and has potential implications for quantum computing and materials science.
➀ Li Shangkui, a medical professional turned entrepreneur, founded Jiangxi Yue'an New Materials, a company that has developed ultra-fine iron powder using carbonyl iron technology. ➁ The company's products have significant applications in electronics, automotive, and defense sectors, challenging international giants in the field. ➂ Yue'an New Materials has successfully navigated market shifts by diversifying its product portfolio and focusing on high-value applications, such as synthetic diamonds and soft magnetic materials.
1. Researchers have developed a coating using special organic molecules to improve the efficiency of monolithic Perovskite/Silicon tandem solar cells. 2. The coating allows for the production of these cells on industrial microstructured standard silicon wafers, potentially reducing costs. 3. A team from Chinese universities and research institutes has introduced a surface passivation strategy using CF3-TEA to compensate for surface defects in Perovskite layers, enhancing the efficiency and stability of the cells.
1. Researchers from Technical University of Berlin and Fraunhofer IZM developed a simulation to assess the quality of wire bonds in semiconductors. 2. The simulation helps understand how new, more durable wire materials affect bonding quality. 3. This innovation aids in reinterpreting shear codes for novel wire types, improving quality management in microelectronics.
1. Researchers have developed a new semiconductor alloy made of silicon, germanium, and tin for on-chip energy harvesting. 2. This material can convert waste heat from computer processors back into electricity and is compatible with CMOS chip production processes. 3. The research, published in ACS Applied Energy Materials, highlights the potential for more sustainable and efficient IT devices by reducing the need for external cooling and power.