QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – Nihon Superior has established a new center in conjunction with an Australian university to research electronics materials and soldering.

The Centre for Manufacture of Electronic Materials, part of the University of Queensland's Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology school, officially began operation July 1. NS CMEM will carry out research in several areas related to materials for electronic and electrical application and energy storage; soldering will be a major focus, the firm says.

More than half of the funding will be provided by Nihon Superior, which also will provide additional in-kind support in the form of materials and services.

Staff includes director associate professor Kazuhiro Nogita, senior research fellow Dr. Stuart McDonald, five research staff, and two post-graduate students. Currently, three undergraduate students are also contributing.

The centre has access to nanoindentation equipment, electron microscopies, and three synchrotrons. Equipment is also available for directional solidification, laser welding, and measurement of solder fluidity.