Collaborative Research Projects

With a firm commitment to research and development to bring new products to the market place in a timely fashion to enhance current and future customer processes, SAFC Hitech has achieved a global reputation based on state-of-the-art science. To maintain a highly focused precursor development program input from all our customers is highly valued and furthermore collaborative research projects with single or multiple groups in the supply chain have historically provided ground breaking advances.

SAFC Hitech remains highly active in a wide range of chemical development fields and its well respected research team continues to be highly sought as the partner of choice to provide solutions to new technology barriers. The success of the team in securing local, regional and international financial support to perform this work is reflected in its correct funded projects as listed below and highlights the economic relevance of this sector to the technology advances targeted at government levels across the world.

These projects highlight the diversity of topics under investigation and the world class caliber of the institutions both academic and industrial who are our collaborators.

ETOE 2

• Title: Advanced lighting, lasers and displays
• Partners: CIP, Bookham, LSA, Sheffield and Surrey Uni
• Summary: The project goal is develop a reliable technology for higher temperature operation of long wavelength optoelectronic components to reduce power and cost whilst adding functionality. The partners will investigate advanced integrated processing for devices including the use of novel precursors for insitu etching of Al Q structures.

• Title: Improved processes and materials for energy saving glazing
• Partners: Pilkington, Liverpool Uni
• Summary: Low emissivity glass is playing an increasing role in improving building energy efficiency with a key feature a thin coating with appropriate refractive index to capture solar energy and reduce heat loss. Alternative precursors and deposition technologies will be developed to enable next generation products to be brought to market for low impact buildings.

• Title: Materials for next generation capacitors and memories
• Partners: ASMI, ST Microelectronics, NXP, Infineon, IMEC, Genitech, Conti Temic, CEA-LETI, Bronkhorst, Oxford Instruments, Air Liquide, R3T, IHP, Aixtron, Tyndall, TU Eindhoven, Helsinki Uni
• Summary: The project aims to develop high k capacitor modules with metal electrodes for future memory and capacitor applications. ALD, PEALD and CVD, AVD technologies will be developed with new precursors designed specifically for each deposition technique to achieve optimum performance. In addition phase change memory modules will be targeted.

• Title: Semiconductor Nanomaterial for Advanced Photovoltaic Solar cells using new concept of nanocrystal and conductive host
• Partners: CEA, ST Microelectronics, TU Delft, Tyndall Institute, Uppsala Uni
• Summary: SNAPSUN is focused on Si-based nanotechnology and nanoscience studies to create a breakthough semiconductor nanomaterial along with related processes that will allow the fabrication of high efficiency PV devices. Embedding nanoparticles in host matrices to enhance performance will require significant precursor development to solve compatibility issues. Resource will also be applied to basic understanding of the science involved at nanoparticle interfaces.

• Title: Lightweight Lead Acid Battery for Low Carbon Vehicles
• Partners: TWI, Fibretech, Plurion, MIRA
• Summary: To increase efficiency and range of electric vehicles weight reduction for the power storage system is being targeted for the dominant industry standard, lead acid batteries. This robust technology employs solid lead electrodes and in the project the aim is to develop alternative composite materials that have equivalent performance but are significantly lighter. Deposition of thin films using novel precursors and processes will be developed. The product life cycle will also be studied for safety and cost effectiveness.

Technology Strategy Board

European Commission