Thin Film Alloys

Lehigh University Office of Technology Transfer
posted on 01/14/2008

Description:

Lehigh University has developed a low cost ceramic-reinforced gold nanocomposite. Incorporation of stable ceramic particles provides added hardness to the gold without forfeiting electrical conductivity. The alloy's lifetime is significantly enhanced through its high hardness and low electrical resistivity, making it an ideal candidate for a drop-in radio frequency microelectromechanical system (RF MEMS) switch solution. High conductivity will not attenuate the quality of the emitted radio frequency signal. A United States patent application, US12052838, has been filed on this technology.

The market:

Thin film alloys can be incorporated into RF MEMS switches. As of 2009, the global MEMS market was sized at $7.6 billion. By 2014, the RF MEMS market is expected to reach $13.2 billion growing at a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%.[1] As the fastest growing market segment, RF MEMS is expected to obtain significant market share by 2010.[2] The largest market opportunity for RF MEMS switches lies within the aerospace & defense and mobile phone industries.[3]

The Opportunity:

Lehigh is interested in licensing this technology.

About Lehigh University:

Lehigh University is a leading research university with an enrollment of approximately 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

For More Information on this Technology Contact:

Yatin S. Karpe, Ph.D.
Associate Director

Office of Technology Transfer
Lehigh University
354 Whitaker Laboratory
5 East Packer Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Phone: (610) 758-5841
Fax: (610) 758-5888 fax
Email: yatin.karpe@lehigh.edu
Web: http://www.lehigh.edu/ott

Claire Casola

Licensing Coordinator

Foresight Science & Technology

Phone & Email: 401-273-4844 ext. 17; claire.casola@foresightst.com

http://www.foresightst.com/index.html

[1] "Global Market For Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) To Be Worth $13.2 Billion in 2014." BCC Research web site. http://www.bccresearch.com/pressroom/SMC051C.html (accessed September 10, 2010).

[2] "MEMS market to reach $12.5 billion by 2010." Military & Aerospace Electronics web site. http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/article-display/259780/articles/military-aerospace-electronics/volume-17/issue-7/departments/finish-line/mems-market-to-reach-125-billion-by-2010.html (accessed September 10, 2010).

[3] Johnson, R.C. "RF MEMS aim for cell phone on-a-chip." Mems Investor Journal web site. http://www.memsinvestorjournal.com/2010/07/rf-mems-aims-for-cell-phone-onachip.html (accessed September 10, 2010).

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Advantages

● Gold-vanadium oxide exhibits high hardness and low electrical resistivity compared to other gold alloys – thus, ideal for micromechanical switches. ● Gold-vanadium oxide can be easily adopted into existing semiconductor fabrication facilities. ● Less expensive material when compared to pure gold or gold-platinum

Innovation Details

Detailed Description

For further details please feel free to contact our office.

File Number: 103006-02

Web site: http://www.lehigh.edu/ott

Other Information: A U.S. provisional patent application has been filed.
*Inventors:*
"Richard Vinci":http://expert1.cc.lehigh.edu/LehighE... Associate Professor, RCEAS, Materials Science and Engineering
Thirumalesh Bannuru Research Assistant RCEAS, Materials Science and Engineering
Walter Brown Adjunct Professor, RCEAS, Materials Science and Engineering
*Licensing Opportunities:*
● Exclusive ● Non-exclusive ● Research Sponsorship ● Product Development Partnerships (PDP)
*Contact Information:*
Office of Technology Transfer Lehigh University 354 Whitaker Laboratory 5 East Packer Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: (610) 758-5841 Fax: (610) 758-5888

IP Protection

License Online

This innovation currently is not available for online licensing. Please contact Yatin Karpe at Lehigh University Office of Technology Transfer for more information.

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