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2322075

Project Grant

Overview

Grant Description
Sbir Phase I: The Next Generation of High-Speed Dielectric Materials -The Broader/Commercial Impact of This Small Business Innovation Research (Sbir) Phase I Project Centers on Developing a High-Speed, High-Performance Insulator Platform for Printed Circuit Boards (Pcbs) That Will Significantly Enhance Performance in Networking, Communications, and Computing.

While Pcb Manufacturing Has Seen Significant Advances, Innovation in Insulator Technology Has Been Lacking for Two Decades. This Gap Has Led to Suboptimal Performance in Signal Integrity, Data Rates, Efficiency, Heat Generation, Form Factor, and Cost. Such Limitations Can Be Overcome by Replacing Fiber-Reinforced Laminates with Non-Reinforced, Low Loss Materials.

By Developing a Novel Class of Insulating Materials, the Project Will Enable Faster Processing Speeds and Higher Data Rates to Facilitate the Development of Next Generation Electronics. This Project Aims to Work with Us-Based Pcb Manufacturers to De-Risk Supply Chain Bottlenecks and On-Shore Manufacturing Jobs.

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I Project Aims to Develop Novel, Synthetic Polymer Alternatives to Current Fiber-Reinforced Materials for Printed Circuit Boards (Pcbs) That Are Skew-Free with a Low Dielectric Constant (Dk) and Low Dissipation Factor (Df). Pcbs Are Paramount for All Electronics but Result in High Signal Loss Due to the Anisotropy of the Fiber-Reinforced Laminate Materials Traditionally Used.

As Demand for Higher Data Rate Rises, Skew-Free, Ultra-Low Loss, and Low Dk Materials Are Needed. Current Dielectric Materials Have Non-Uniform Dielectric Properties, So Transmission Lines Encounter a Different Effective Dk, Causing Skew and Limiting Data Rates.

By Developing Synthetic Polymer Films as an Alternative to Traditional Pcb Dielectric Materials, the Team Aims to Develop Low Dk (? 2.8) and Low Df (? 0.0026) Materials That Are Inherently Skew-Free and Low Loss. Novel Thermosetting Polymer Formulations Must Be Developed and Characterized.

Successful Evaluation of Materials with Properties Conducive to Pcbs Can Then Be Taken Through Pilot Manufacturing to Determine Their Viability in Large-Scale Manufacturing Environments. Finally, These Low Dk, Low Df Materials Can Be Used to Create Prototype Pcbs to Evaluate Their Reliability Before Generating More Complex Pcb Structures Required for High-Density-Interconnect-Type Applications.

This Award Reflects Nsf's Statutory Mission and Has Been Deemed Worthy of Support Through Evaluation Using the Foundation's Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts Review Criteria.- Subawards Are Not Planned for This Award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE I", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23515
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Berkeley, California 94710-2427 United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Thintronics was awarded Project Grant 2322075 worth $272,771 from National Science Foundation in October 2023 with work to be completed primarily in Berkeley California United States. The grant has a duration of 5 months and was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs.

SBIR Details

Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I:The Next Generation of High-Speed Dielectric Materials
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project centers on developing a high-speed, high-performance insulator platform for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) that will significantly enhance performance in networking, communications, and computing. While PCB manufacturing has seen significant advances, innovation in insulator technology has been lacking for two decades. This gap has led to suboptimal performance in signal integrity, data rates, efficiency, heat generation, form factor, and cost. Such limitations can be overcome by replacing fiber-reinforced laminates with non-reinforced, low loss materials. By developing a novel class of insulating materials, the project will enable faster processing speeds and higher data rates to facilitate the development of next generation electronics. This project aims to work with US-based PCB manufacturers to de-risk supply chain bottlenecks and on-shore manufacturing jobs._x000D_ _x000D_ This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop novel, synthetic polymer alternatives to current fiber-reinforced materials for printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are skew-free with a low dielectric constant (Dk) and low dissipation factor (DF). PCBs are paramount for all electronics but result in high signal loss due to the anisotropy of the fiber-reinforced laminate materials traditionally used. As demand for higher data rate rises, skew-free, ultra-low loss, and low Dk materials are needed. Current dielectric materials have non-uniform dielectric properties, so transmission lines encounter a different effective Dk, causing skew and limiting data rates. By developing synthetic polymer films as an alternative to traditional PCB dielectric materials, the team aims to develop low Dk (≤ 2.8) and low DF (≤ 0.0026) materials that are inherently skew-free and low loss. Novel thermosetting polymer formulations must be developed and characterized. Successful evaluation of materials with properties conducive to PCBs can then be taken through pilot manufacturing to determine their viability in large-scale manufacturing environments. Finally, these low Dk, low DF materials can be used to create prototype PCBs to evaluate their reliability before generating more complex PCB structures required for high-density-interconnect-type applications._x000D_ _x000D_ This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
S
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515

Status
(Complete)

Last Modified 10/6/23

Period of Performance
10/1/23
Start Date
3/31/24
End Date
100% Complete

Funding Split
$272.8K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$272.8K
Total Obligated
100.0% Federal Funding
0.0% Non-Federal Funding

Activity Timeline

Interactive chart of timeline of amendments to 2322075

Additional Detail

Award ID FAIN
2322075
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
DY27HPVGUGS3
Awardee CAGE
None
Performance District
CA-12
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla

Budget Funding

Federal Account Budget Subfunction Object Class Total Percentage
Research and Related Activities, National Science Foundation (049-0100) General science and basic research Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) $272,771 100%
Modified: 10/6/23