11-11/12 :: November/December 2011

nanotimes EU-Projects

given that such expansion can lead to cracks and crack propagation of structures. Along the way, in- vestigators sought to address critical issues related to conductance at the interface of the composite‘s two components.

The team developed novel techniques to measure interfacial thermal contact resistance (TCR), which they employed for both glassy carbon substrates and diamond substrates. Given the lower than expected thermal conductivities of the copper carbon nano- fibre composites, the team carried out a thorough investigation. Although poor interfacial thermal con- ductance did play a role, the more important cause was that the carbon fibres lost their graphite structure during processing.

Both transmission electron microscopy and a novel technique based on Raman spectroscopy were used to characterise this effect. The latter enabled study of many important parameters much more rapidly than previously possible.

In summary, the Interface project enabled detailed investigation of interfacial thermal conductance in copper carbon nanofibre composites, elucidating the cause of relatively low conductivities observed and providing tools for interfacial engineering research related to future metal-carbon composite structures.

Contact: Maria REYES ELIZALDE-GONZALEZ (Ms), Centro de Estu- dios e Investigaciones Tecnicas de Gipuzkoa, Spain: http://www.ceit.es/

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Micro-manufacturing – LED Displays

The “High-throughput production platform for the manufacture of light emitting components” (LIGHT-ROLLS) project brings together researchers from industry and research institutes in eight coun- tries. They will set up a pilot production line to make flexible LED display systems.

Their manufacturing platform is based on RMPD® -

rotation, a patented process technology to generate three-dimensional (3D) polymer structures using a fast generative manufacturing process. Other innova- tions to be incorporated are new self-assembling chip methods and high-resolution and speed-conductive track generation and interconnection based on ink- jet and laser printing technologies. The team has built a prototype for the rotation unit and confirmed the validity of the concept. They have also developed a suitable surface functionalisation process for the self-assembly of dies, and selected and tested sui- table inks and print heads that are compatible with other system parts. The team has successfully valida- ted the integration of a 2x2 array of 0.25 mm, blue GaN LED chips on to a flexible substrate using the RMPD®

-mask process. The overall thickness of the part is 1mm.

Work on the EU-funded project will continue until the end of 2012.

Contact: David GONZALEZ (Mr.), Edificio Centros Tecno- logicos, Parque Cientifico y Tecnologico, Spain: http://www.prodintec.com