Microfluidic systems and methods for screening plating and etching bath compositions
Lead Inventors: Alan C. West, PhD. and Mark Willey, PhD. Problem or Unmet Need:The composition of electrolyte baths used in inorganic metal finishing (e.g. electroplating and chemical etching) has a great impact on product quality (e.g. bonding, corrosion and wear resistance) and rate of deposition or etching. However, electrolyte components are traditionally screened one at a time, making optimization of electrolyte baths expensive and time-consuming. In addition, electrolyte baths for metal plating and etching are often environmental and health hazards, driving the need to reduce consumption of these chemicals. Consequently, there is a need for screening plating and etching bath compositions in a rapid, parallel, and cost-effective manner. This technology describes a microfluidic system and methods for screening electrolyte bath compositions for their effect (during metal and alloy deposition and etching processes) on substrates. The system and methods utilize screening devices with microfluidic channels in parallel, mechanisms for easily attaching and detaching substrates onto the devices, controlled movement of fluids, and electrochemical control or characterizing of plating and etching processes. The screening device allows the investigation of multiple electrolyte bath compositions in a single test setup, which may reduce the time, cost, and amount of chemicals and material required for optimization.
Rapid due to simultaneous testing of multiple electrolyte bath compositions Cost-effective due to simultaneous analysis and miniaturization (which reduces amount of material and chemicals needed) Reduces occupational and environmental hazards due to reduction of generated chemical and material waste
Optimizing electrolyte bath compositions for electroplating, electroless plating, electrochemical etching, chemical etching, and electropolishing of metals and alloys
This technology describes a microfluidic system and methods for screening electrolyte bath compositions for their effect (during metal and alloy deposition and etching processes) on substrates. The system and methods utilize screening devices with mi...
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