MODELING PARTICLE REINFORCED POLYMERS Sandia National Laboratories has developed a system of unique materials knowledge, computer codes, and flow modeling applied to the experimental characterization and modeling flow of particle polymers into complicated molds including particle migration phenomena. Specialized microscopy and X-ray/neutron scattering for characterizing particle microstructure. State-of-the-art equipment for characterizing fluid rheological properties. Computational facilities including Intel Paragon and SNL Teraflops massively parallel computer. Proprietary and unique fluid flow analysis codes. Important applications include: Flip-chip encapsulation via capillary underflow of highly filled polymers. Inexpensive injection molded parts like plastic trays for holding a group of chips in precise dimensional register during high speed automated processing (this level of dimensional stability requires uniform thermal expansion which requires uniform distribution of particles). Coatings. Development of code for modeling injected molded polymers and for materials of particle imbedded polyimides used for inter-layer dielectric in IC and PWB. Potential Benefits Improved quality by reducing voids caused by non-uniform flow and migration of particles that cause defects initiating cracking and delamination. Reduce cost of building expensive prototypes (i.e.; PC chips) by doing computational modeling of a key production process. Demonstrated Achievements Particle structure characterization, computational modeling, and flow visualization on a 40-micron glass particle reinforced epoxy encapsulant. References One US patent. Eighteen (18) publications in refereed journals including Journal of Rheology, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, and Journal of Computational Mechanics. Contribution to over one dozen book chapters and international conference proceedings. Peer-reviewed publications on experimental and computational analysis of particle reinforced fluid rheology. Intellectual property. Gordon-Bell Prize awards for development of boundary element methods for analyzing particle motion during fluid flow. Follow-up This proprietary Sandia capability may be applied to solve challenging problems in the field of polymer and other organic sciences. Sandia has the flexibility to form specific teams of technical experts from any or all of the above capabilities to focus expertise on specific technical challenges. We are interested in making this technology available to companies responsive to partnering with Sandia to develop near/term and/or future applications via licensing or cooperative development agreements. For further information, please respond by mail or fax to Joanne Trujillo no later than December 9, 1998 at: Sandia National Laboratories, MS 1380, P. O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1380. Fax: (505) 843-4163. Please indicate the date and title of this CBD notice. E-MAIL: Joanne Trujillo, jmtruji@sandia.gov. Posted 11/25/98 (W-SN274869).

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