SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Multifunctional Platelet Composites for Tin Whisker Mitigation
- Notice Date
- 4/27/2017
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Sandia Corp. (DOE Contractor), Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800, MS: 0115, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87185
- ZIP Code
- 87185
- Solicitation Number
- 17_475
- Archive Date
- 6/13/2017
- Point of Contact
- David V. Wick,
- E-Mail Address
-
dvwick@sandia.gov
(dvwick@sandia.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Background Information: In order to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, pure tin is replacing lead-tin alloys in commercial electronic devices. Unfortunately, tin can grow whiskers that can lead to electrical short circuits or metal vapor arcing, both of which threaten the long-term reliability of electronic systems for weapons, satellites, military, and automotive applications and can cause critical systems to fail catastrophically. A current method of whisker mitigation utilizes coatings based on both glassy or rubbery unfilled polymers, but such coatings are not impenetrable to tin whiskers. Seeking a more reliable method of whisker mitigation, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has filed for patent protection on a composite coating comprised of platelet-shaped particles such as Ni or MgF2 coated Ni/Al dispersed in silicone or epoxy. When the platelets are oriented with their directors normal to the tin-plated surface, they create a multilayer barrier resembling that found in nature (e.g., abalone shell). Platelet orientation is easily controlled using surface modification to prevent the polymer from wetting the platelet surface, extrusion, and applying magnetic or electrical fields. Platelet-filled composites vastly outperform conventional unfilled polymers. In tests conducted in a thermal cycling environment known to promote whisker growth, tin-plated commercial capacitors and transistors coated with the Sandia composite exhibited no signs of whisker penetration, whereas those coated with conventional polymers showed whisker penetration. Whisker penetration was not observed on composite-coated, tin-plated copper test coupons which normally exhibit a high density of tin whiskers, some hundreds of microns long, when uncoated. In addition to it's increased penetration resistance, Sandia's composite enhances thermal conductivity and dielectric properties, and reduces out-of-plane gas permeability. U.S. Patent Application No. 14/926,545 (SD 13208.0) "Multifunctional Composite Coatings for Metal Whisker Mitigation" Technology Highlights: • Increased reliability of electronic systems • Proven performance in varied temperatures/humidity • Easy application methods • Enhanced thermal conductivity & dielectric properties • Reduction of out-of-plane gas permeability Opportunity Description: SNL is seeking partners to further develop and commercialize this coating technology. Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) and Licensing Agreements are available. Sandia invites interested parties to provide a detailed description of relevant background, experience, expertise, and capabilities that could be brought into a collaborative partnership with Sandia. Specific requirements are as follows: Mandatory Requirements: 1) U.S. companies able to enter into a CRADA agreement with Sandia National Laboratories, which requires in-kind contribution in the form of laboratory staff and instrumentation 2) U.S. companies capable of providing a minimum of $200K funds-in 3) Demonstrated experience in coating technologies Desired Requirements: 1) Demonstrated experience, expertise, and capabilities in consumer electronics, electronic weapons systems, satellites, aircraft, and/or automotive industries. 2) Demonstrated successful partnering and teaming relationships with R&D organizations In addition to evaluating the provided information as outlined above, Sandia will evaluate all responses and select prospective parties with which to engage in further discussions based on the following criteria, pursuant to Sandia's technology transfer mission: 1) How will the respondent deploy the technology for the benefit of the U.S. public good? 2) How will the respondent's deployment of the technology benefit U.S. economic competitiveness? Sandia is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract DE-AC04-94AL85000. Primary Point of Contact: David V. Wick Licensing Executive Sandia National Laboratories dvwick@sandia.gov Keywords: Platelet Composites, Coatings
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOE/SNL/SN/17_475/listing.html)
- Record
- SN04487534-W 20170429/170427234400-06f11db33bf24fb15aa6641e6a36f0b3 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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