MILPITAS, CA – SEMI FlexTech announced new projects featuring novel interconnect and integration strategies to move innovations to market-ready products. The projects include thin batteries, printed audio speaker systems, and flexible fan-out wafer-level packaging advances.

“The SEMI FlexTech R&D program is driving significant advances in the infrastructure required to support world-class manufacturing capabilities for FHE devices and products,” said Dr. Melissa Grupen-Shemansky, SEMI CTO for flexible electronics and advanced packaging. “These projects are on the cutting edge of integration and demonstrate the value of collaboration in innovation to bring new products to market.”

Led by ITN Energy Systems, in partnership with Molex, ENrG, Sunray Scientific, and University of Rhode Island, the project aims to develop ultra-thin charge control circuits for an optimized ultra-thin battery as a renewable, self-recharging, lightweight, flexible power source. The battery will power sensor systems for mobile applications. Compared to commercially available batteries, the power package is expected to be smaller, feature greater sensitivity and response time, enable lower power consumption and support optimal temperature and humidity ranges.

The team will first demonstrate a monolithically integrated power module with integrated ultra-thin charge control circuitry and photovoltaics. It will then explore integrating a sensor system into the battery system and, ultimately, creating a working power module that includes a sensor, signal processing, and telemetry within a package less than 250µm thick. The project is scheduled to last 15 months and is funded at $2.4 million, with a 48% cost share by industry partners.

Led by UCLA in partnership with i3 Microsystems, the second new contract is for the demonstration of a new electrode array that identifies muscle fatigue in training combatants and provides rehabilitation therapies from neural-trauma or neuropathic disorders. The team will create an advanced electromyography electrode array and commercial CMOS chip in a fan-out-wafer-level-package (FOWLP) based on a biocompatible platform for heterogeneous integration. The FOWLP enables a small form factor, with the biocompatibility enabled by a new molding compound. The project is scheduled for 18 months at a total of $1 million, with a 50% cost share.

Parc LogoPARC, a Xerox Company, developed, fabricated and demonstrated a highly-flexible wireless audio-actuated system. The PARC team collaborated with other consortium members to use a novel material set, including thinned die, die attach compounds, audio material, resistor material, and substrate. The team evaluated the performance and flexibility of the die attach, measured robustness and performance of the components and printed circuitry, and then developed an integration and test process. The project lasted one year, with total funding of $572,000 at 50% industry cost share.

ITN Energy Systems, in partnership with Lucintech, ENrG, and Molex, created an ultra-thin (less than 250µm thick), solid-state, lithium, secondary battery for printed devices with integrated photovoltaic cells for self-recharging. The resulting power component is ideal for Internet of Things, wireless, wearable and sensor capabilities for flexible and printed devices. Compared to other commercially available products, the prototype provides the highest lifecycle energy in the smallest volume without sacrificing operational capabilities. The project spanned 15 months at a total of $983,000, with a 52% industry cost share.

SEMI FlexTech selects and funds projects under a cooperative agreement with the US Army Research Laboratories.

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