aktina metallisation 040909

Aktina: Ultra high performance metal on glass, ceramic and plastic: 

Aktina: Ultra high performance metal on glass, ceramic and plastic Aktina Ltd www.aktina.co.uk

Background: 

Background Spin out from University of Dundee, Materials Science Group Materials Science at Dundee is well known, very highly regarded in UK Same department created the first amorphous silicon thin film transistor that is the basis of all TFT displays, photovoltaic cells in calculators etc. In 2000, group developed a nano-engineered film for binding metals to insulators much better than existing methods University created Aktina as a spin out to commercialise this invention Latest Samsung 241MP TFT display, still based on the Dundee invention of the amorphous silicon thin film transistor

Where you can benefit from Aktina innovations: 

Where you can benefit from Aktina innovations Has potential everywhere you require a metal film onto an insulator Some of these applications are shown below RFID SMD Devices LCD Metallisation OLED RoHS Compliance

Aktina film: process: 

Aktina film: process Aktina fluid applied as a liquid Very simple to apply Creates a thin film (<200nm) of zirconia with palladium seeds Acts as an anchor between metal and substrate Liquid developers available as alternative to heat or UV for some substrates Acts as a catalyst for electroless plating, defining what to plate Eliminates the need for photoresist Compatible with almost all electroless plating processes

Benefits in Display Applications: 

High conductivity traces allow larger display areas, with greater contrast and intensity compared to ITO glass alone. Reduced border areas by increasing the pitch and conductivity of tracks. Provides the opportunity to solder components directly to the glass, and even rework without lifting the metal Benefits in Display Applications Picture: Metal lines on glass. Below ~ 10um, lines are not visible at normal viewing distances.

Further Benefits in Display Applications: 

Further Benefits in Display Applications Bond is ultra high strength: glass usually fails before metal bond Allows direct mount of components, and supports rework Can metallise plastics, for curved displays or OLED Silver imaged onto polyester

Strength of Aktina metals on glass: 

Strength of Aktina metals on glass Supports repeated soldering operations, even with copper on glass

Strength of Aktina metals on glass: 

Strength of Aktina metals on glass Bonds of over 81kgcm-2 (1150 psi) on untreated glass means glass fails before bond. See glass particles and mass still stuck to the copper

Benefits in SMD Metallisation: 

Eliminates need to prepare a rough surface to key the metal, avoids use of hazardous chemicals Improved surface flatness compared with metal pastes and colloids, enhances solderability Very high metal conductivity Wide choice of metals (Ni, Sn, Cu, Ag, An and others) Ultra high bond strength of 152kg/cm2 (2175psi) on untreated allumina enables repeated solder operations and rework High bond strength even at high temperatures Totally lead free for RoHS requirements Benefits in SMD Metallisation SMD Components such as these are the basis for all modern electronics

RoHS will have a major impact: 

From 1 July 2006, all electrical components used in consumer applications in Europe, must be lead and Cadmium free under EC Directive on the Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). RoHS includes everything from light bulbs to computer parts for home use. Lead free solders demand better surfaces to achieve high yield. RoHS will affect competitive position of electronic vendors. Vendors with components that achieve good lead-free yield in SMT will achieve higher sales. The Aktina process gives outstanding surfaces for high yields with lead free solders and pastes. The Aktina process is in itself RoHS compliant. RoHS will have a major impact RoHS will affect all electronic goods and components manufactured or sold in Europe from 1 July 2006, and it is not just Europe:

Where Aktina can help with RoHS: 

IC Packages SMD component metallisation to produce better surfaces for soldering Display metallisation Hybrid assemblies Connectors Where Aktina can help with RoHS

Actions to follow up: 

Aktina process can improve performance of a wide range of products Review where metal is used on insulators in your company May affect multiple departments and groups Useful to assign a “Champion” to be review all metallisation Aktina contact point: Professor Jim Cairns james@aktina.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1382 344401 Actions to follow up