Integrated Circuit Chips

Prior approaches to bonding a SiC sensor and a SiC cover member relied on either electrostatic bonding or direct bonding using glass frits. The problem with the former is that its relatively weak bond strength may lead to debonding during thermal cycling, while the latter requires the creation of apertures that can allow sealant to leak. Glenn's innovation uses NASA's microelectromechanical system direct chip attach (MEMS-DCA) technology that can be bulk-manufactured to reduce sensor costs. The MEMS-DCA process allows a direct connection to be made between chip and pins, thereby eliminating wire bonding. Sensors and electronics are attached in a single-stage process to a multifunctional package, which, unlike previous systems, can be directly inserted into the housing. Additional thick pins within the electrical outlet allow the package to be connected to external circuitry. Furthermore, because the top and bottom substrates' thermomechanical properties are similar to that of the sensors, the problem of mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion is significantly reduced, minimizing thermal cycling and component fatigue. By protecting sensors and electronics in temperatures up to 600°C, approximately twice what has previously been achievable, Glenn's innovation enables SiC components to realize one of their most exciting possibilities - direct placement within high-temperature environments.

To avoid catastrophic failure, traditional electrical ohmic contacts must be placed at some distance from the optimal position (especially for sensors) in high-temperature environments. In addition, conventional metallization techniques incur significant production costs because they require multiple process steps of successive depositions, photolithography, and etchings to deposit the desired ohmic contact material. Glenn's novel production method both produces ohmic contacts that can withstand higher temperatures than ever before (up to 600°C), and permits universal and simultaneous ohmic contacts on n- and p-type surfaces. This makes fabrication much less time-consuming and expensive while also increasing yield. This innovative approach uses a single alloy conductor to form simultaneous ohmic contacts to n- and p-type 4H-SiC semiconductor. The single alloy conductor also forms an effective diffusion barrier against gold and oxygen at temperatures as high as 800°C. Glenn's extraordinary method enables a faster and less costly means of producing SiC-based sensors and other devices that provide quicker response times and more accurate readings for numerous applications, from jet engines to down-hole drilling, and from automotive engines to space exploration.

SiC fiber tows and preform materials are commonly used as reinforcements in CMCs, to make parts for use in harsh, high-temperature environments such as aircraft engines. These materials are desirable for numerous high-temperature applications because of their very low weight and outstanding thermo-chemical inertness. However, the multiple-step process using electric furnaces to produce these materials have numerous drawbacks: they are very expensive ($10,000 to $25,000 per spool); they involve high temperatures (greater than 2000°C); they require high power (more than 700 watts); and they produce much wasted material. Glenn innovators have discovered an efficient way to improve the quality and strength of SiC fiber tows using a unique microwave-furnace design that induces molecular heating. Glenn's innovation relies on microwave sintering to convert a polymer to ceramic fibers/tows/yarns, or to manipulate commercially available SiC fibers to increase strength and improve other qualities. Not only can higher quality tows be produced, but also - for the first time - old, damaged, or otherwise unusable fibers can be improved and recycled, thereby saving significant costs by increasing yield. Even entire engine components can be placed in the furnace and restored. The desired results can be achieved in minutes rather than the usual hours or even days. Glenn's low-temperature microwave process provides greater control with less power, while also eliminating plasma generation and minimizing arcing events. Because this method also facilitates the shaping of the SiC fiber after initial processing, fabricating preforms with 2D or 3D architectures becomes simpler. Glenn's creative processing method makes producing SiC tows and preforms much less expensive, opening them up for increased use in a broad range of applications.

Aimed at structural applications up to 2700°F, NASA's patented technologies start with two types of high-strength SiC fibers that significantly enhance the thermo-structural performance of the commercially available boron-doped and sintered small-diameter “Sylramic” SiC fiber. These enhancement processes can be done on single fibers, multi-fiber tows, or component-shaped architectural preforms without any loss in fiber strength. The processes not only enhance every fiber in the preforms and relieve their weaving stresses, but also allow the preforms to be made into more shapes. Environmental resistance is also enhanced during processing by the production of a protective in-situ grown boron-nitride (iBN) coating on the fibers. Thus the two types of converted fibers are called “Sylramic-iBN” and “Super Sylramic-iBN”. For high CMC toughness, two separate chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) steps are used, one to apply a boron nitride coating on the fibers of the preform and the other to form the SiC-based matrix. The preforms are then heat treated not only to densify and shrink the CVI BN coating away from the SiC matrix (outside debonding), but also to increase its creep resistance, temperature capability, and thermal conductivity. One crucial advantage in this suite of technologies lies in its unprecedented customizability. The SiC/SiC CMC can be tailored to specific conditions by down-selecting the optimum fiber, fiber coating, fiber architecture, and matrix materials and processes. In any formulation, though, the NASA-processed SiC fibers display high tensile strength and the best creep-rupture resistance of any commercial SiC fiber, with strength retention to over 2700°F.

In conjunction with academia and industry, NASA's Glenn Research Center has developed a range of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based and Silicon Carbide (SiC)-based microsensor technologies that are well-suited for many applications. The suite of technologies includes hydrogen and hydrocarbon leak detection sensors; emissions sensor arrays; and high-temperature contact pads for wire bond connections. Currently used to protect astronauts on the International Space Station, the hydrogen and leak detection sensors have many Earth-based applications as well. They can function as a single-sensor unit or as part of a complete smart sensor system that includes multiple sensors, signal conditioning, power, and telemetry. The system can comprise sensors for hydrogen, hydrocarbons, oxygen, temperature, and pressure. The emissions sensor array features a gas-sensing structure that detects various combustion emission species (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides) over a wide range of concentrations. In addition, the emissions sensor array remains highly sensitive and stable while providing gas detection at temperatures ranging from 450 to 600°C. These new sensors provide a combination of responsiveness and durability that offers great value for a wide range of applications and industries.