Technical Session Descriptions
Each year SVC explores the lastest in vacuum coating and related processes and their role in high-tech applications. This year's technical program is renewed with traditional topics examining proven technologies applied to unique processes and applications. Plus, the Symposia topics focus on particular hot topics and issues of interest to individuals and industries using vacuum coating processes.
Submit an Abstract for a Poster Presentation or the Heuréka! Session by March 2, 2012
Forum Sessions
Executive Forum
Funding and Tools to Get Your Product to Market
Donald M. Mattox Tutorial Presentations
Program Committee
Program Chair: Wolfgang Decker, VAST Films Ltd., Darlington, PA (724/827-8827, w.decker@vastfilm.com)
Past Program Chair: Ladislav Bardós, Uppsala Univeristy, Uppsala, Sweden (46/184 7130 34, ladislav.bardos@angstrom.uu.se)
Asst. Program Chair: Scott Walton, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (202/767-7531, scott.walton@nrl.navy.mil)
“Lab to Fab” Vacuum Coating Manufacturing Processes
The Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC) brings unmatched expertise in thin film processes and large-area manufacturing to the Silicon Valley. “Lab to Fab” focuses on both the materials and processes needed to bring device prototypes to a large-scale manufacturing environment.
This theme covers prototype development, materials selection, deposition techniques, processing tradeoffs, process control and monitoring, reactor engineering, quality control, and explores the pitfalls of making thin film-based products in a large-scale high volume environment. The SVC emphasizes process technology to take deposition rates well beyond nm/min. Scaling of processes and equipment will follow the lead of the large-scale glass coating and the high rate roll-coating industries which have been quite successful in fabricating and manufacturing cost effective products. Various types of deposition processes will be compared to vacuum thin film processes in terms of rate, uniformity, and contamination issues affecting ultimate yield. Rate limiting steps will be discussed along with yield challenges for scaling to higher production rates. Specific new developing technology areas that will be emphasized include:
• Nanotechnology
• Touch Panels
• Flexible Electronics
• Solid State Lighting
• Energy Storage and Energy Saving Technologies
Keynote Speaker:
Robert Praino, Chasm Technologies, Canton, MA: "Some Implications of 'Nanotech' on Transitioning from Lab to Market"
Invited Speakers:
Contributed by the Emerging Technologies TAC
Robert D. Cormia, Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, CA: “From Lab to Fab - Training Technicians for an Innovative Economy”
Alex Beavers, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA: "Depositing Copper on Flexible Polymers with the Help of a Nano-Coating"
Contributed by the Optical Coating TAC
Mike Weber, 3M, St. Paul, MN: “Recent Advances in Multilayer Polymeric Interference Reflectors”
Symposium Organizers: Carl M. Lampert, Star Science (707/794-0333, cmlstar@sonic.net); Ric Shimshock, MLD Technologies LLC (650/938-3705, rshimshock@mldtech.com); Ludvik Martinu, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada (514/340-4099, ludvik.martinu@polymtl.ca), Bettina Weiss, SEMI (408/943-6998, bweiss@semi.org); Susan Murray (858/245-6896, customasic@gmail.com), Chris Stoessel, Southwall Technologies Inc. (650/798-1242, stoessel@attglobal.net )
New Materials and Processes for Photovoltaics Manufacturing
Following on the success in Chicago 2011, major issues of thin film photovoltaics will be addressed to understand how it can compete with the declining cost of wafer-based PV. Many thin film PV devices require changes to bridge the performance gap between “hand crafted” champion devices and manufacturable large-area devices. This theme will look at new materials and processes to move manufacturing from low quality devices to large-area higher quality devices of commercial importance. The emphasis will be on, but not limited to:
• New materials, green processes (e.g. Kesterites, TCOs)
• New production technology for large-area, high-yield manufacturing
• Investigation and understanding of device performance and fabrication limitations
• Other thin film devices including CIGS, CdTe, thin film silicon, organics
• Road mapping and scale-up, including materials and design improvements
Keynote Speaker:
Eicke Weber, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Freiburg, Germany: "New Materials and Processes for Photovoltaics Manufacturing"
Invited Speakers:
Contributed by the Optical Coating TAC
Juan Antonio Zapien, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong: “Challenges and Opportunities of Emerging PV Technologies”
Contributed by the Coatings for Cleantech Energy Conversion, Storage and Related Processes TAC
Paula Mints, Navigant, Palo Alto, CA: "An Overview of the Market for PV Technologies"
Walajabad S. Sampath, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: "Mass Production of Photovoltaic Modules: Low Cost Fabrication, Performance and Potential"
Rommel Noufi, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO: "Technical Barriers in Manufacture of CIGS Thin Film Solar Cells"
Symposium Organizers: Wolfgang Diehl, Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Germany (49/531 2155 515, wolfgang.diehl@ist.fraunhofer.de); David Sanchez, Materion Advanced Chemicals (954/261-2120, david.sanchez@materion.com); Volker Sittinger, Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Germany (49/531 215 5512, volker.sittinger@ist.fraunhofer.de); Tim Gessert, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (303/384-6451, tim.gessert@nrel.gov)
WebTech Roll to Roll Coatings for High-End Applications
WebTech is the new forum for flexible web and roll-to-roll (R2R) processing at the SVC. It is the podium to present new achievements in web processing, and encompasses manufacturing techniques, products, market developments and economical aspects of this versatile high-volume manufacturing method.
New for 2012, we emphasize flexible web subject areas focusing on flexible electronics, energy efficiency and energy generation. Significant progress and increasing markets are strongly moving flexible technology forward to capture the inherent cost advantages of roll to roll manufacturing. Application areas include touch screens, lightweight conformal lighting, moldable battery storage, lightweight flexible and portable solar cells, and building integrated solar cells (BIPV). Other areas include films for energy efficiency and light modification. Still yet other development is on higher quality substrates and thin flexible glass. Lower temperature processes are needed to deposit films on polymer substrates. New thin flexible glass creates new challenges in a R2R coating environment.
Presentations on materials, deposition processes, manufacturing techniques, market analysis and economical perspective in the following application areas related to R2R processing are welcome:
• High-volume productivity improvements for metallization, decorative applications, window films and food packaging
• R2R manufacturing integration
- Combinations of vacuum and atmospheric processes
- Hybrid organic/inorganic materials deposition
- High-resolution/high-speed patterning and printing
• Flexible electronics
- Flexible touch screens
- Flexible and bendable displays
- Light management films
- Electromagnetic shielding
- Electronic back planes for driving electronics
- Smart packaging films for security, anti-counterfeiting, and thermal history
• Flexible/large area lighting
• Thin film/flexible batteries and energy storage
• Flexible thin film solar cells
• High performance substrates, diffusion barriers and sealing techniques for roll-to-roll processing
• Energy efficient films for glazing in buildings, vehicles and spacecraft thermal control
Invited Speakers:
Lawrence Gasman, NanoMarkets LLC, Glen Allen, VA: "Market Opportunities for R2R Thin Film Coating"
Vishal Shrotriya, Solamer Energy Inc., El Monte, CA: "Printing Low-Cost Organic Solar Cells"
WebTech Roll to Roll Coatings for High-End Applications TAC Co-Chairs: Chris Stoessel, Southwall Technologies Inc. (650/798-1242, stoessel@attglobal.net ); Carl M. Lampert, Star Science (707/794-0333, cmlstar@sonic.net); Alberto Argoitia, JDSU Flex Products Group (707/525-6830, alberto.argoitia@jdsu.com)
Coatings for Cleantech Energy Conversion, Storage and Related Processes
Thin films play a vital role in many clean technologies, including coatings for smart glazing, coatings to make smarter buildings, and solar thermal technology, including new high temperature selective absorbers for concentrating solar power. This year’s Coatings for Cleantech Energy Conversion, Storage and Related Processes session will cover topics of importance to Cleantech industries. Photovoltaic technology will be explored in-depth in its own focus symposium “New Materials and Processes for Photovoltaics Manufacturing.”
Submissions of original papers to the Cleantech session are welcome.
Nanotechnology applied to energy efficiency
• Smart windows and energy efficient coatings
- Methods for electrochromic manufacturing cost reduction
- Method for defect reduction and yield improvement
- Deposition equipment development
- Nanochromics
• Thin film battery technology (e.g LiCO2, LiMn2, LiFePO4)
- Large storage arrays for electric vehicles and grid
• Self-cleaning and surface modification coatings
- Hydrophobic and oleophobic
- Ice formation resistance
• Air and surface cleaning
• AR coating and substrates
Energy conversion and storage
• Solar power thermal conversion technology
- Cermets for high temperature absorbers
- Corrosion resistant coatings for steam plants
- CSP coatings for reflectors and surfaces
• Solid state lighting
- Manufacturing cost reduction
• Radiative cooling coatings and systems
- Performance improvements
Green Manufacturing Processes
• Lower environmental impact deposition processes
Cleantech Business
• Venture business aspects of new coatings and technology
• Market assessment
• Government–industry consortia
Invited Speakers:
Geoff Smith, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia: “Cool Roofs: Coatings, Glazings and Structures for Enhanced Thermal Performance”
Ivan Parkin, University College London, London, United Kingdom: “Metal Oxide Thin Films from Photocatalysts to Thermochromics”
Coatings for Cleantech Energy Conversion, Storage and Related Processes TAC Chair: Carl M. Lampert, Star Science (707/794-0333, cmlstar@sonic.net). Assistant TAC Chairs: Michael Andreasen, Vacuum Edge (707/365-7433, michael.andreasen@vacuumedge.com); Wolfgang Diehl, Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Germany (49/531 2155 515, wolfgang.diehl@ist.fraunhofer.de); Tim Gessert, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (303/384-6451, tim.gessert@nrel.gov); Claes G. Granqvist, Uppsala University, Sweden (46/184 713 067, claes-goran.granqvist@angstrom.uu.se); Ric Shimshock, MLD Technologies LLC (650/938-3705, rshimshock@mldtech.com); David Sanchez, Materion Advanced Chemicals (954/261-2120, david.sanchez@materion.com)
Tribological and Decorative Coating
The increased concern in energy conservation has led to the increased interest for tribological and decorative coatings in the automotive and aerospace industries. Corrosion and tribo-corrosion are wear problems of interest in applications of bio-fuels, diesel and petrol. Chromium replacement issues are already of importance for some time and solutions including these coatings fit in the program. Plastic materials as well as hybrid coatings with PVD are solutions to solve the corrosion and Cr-replacement problems. New technologies, such as HIPIMS and other energetic deposition techniques, have increased the options for depositing high performance coatings. Presentations on up scaling these processes are solicited.
Coatings and tribological wear systems may be extremely complicated. Presentations are encouraged that address the role of modelling possibilities in the complex chain – from coated component up to the system performance in the engine/application.
In summary presentations are solicited in the following areas:
• Developments of low friction coatings for high and low temperatures.
• Nanostructured coating systems for components and tools, including coatings produced with energy assistance
• Machine technology for high volume applications, eventually including pre-treatment and post-treatment technologies
• Coatings on plastics and metals for decorative applications
• Applications of coatings in combustion engine and turbine applications
• Coatings for cutting difficult work piece materials
• Coatings for moulding and forming tools
• Coatings for corrosion/erosion resistance in low and high temperature applications
• Biocompatible coatings for medical applications
• Surface treatment for tribological applications
• Modelling of coatings and coating systems
Invited Speakers:
Richard Chromik, McGill University, Montréal, Canada: “In Situ Tribometry: Shedding Light on the Tribology of Hard Coatings”
Tribological and Decorative Coating TAC Chair: Roel Tietema, Hauzer Techno Coating Europe BV, The Netherlands (31/77 3559 774, rtietema@hauzer.nl). Assistant Chair: Jolanta Klemberg-Sapieha, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada (514/340-5747, jsapieha@polymtl.ca)
The “Emerging Technologies” session is the forum for groundbreaking new trends in the thin film coating industry. Such trends may be either the application of established coating technologies in innovative ways to expand into new applications, or creative new developments in coating technologies that overcome long-standing roadblocks in the industry. Technologies that successfully cross over from early-stage feasibility studies into commercially viable industry solutions are a primary focus of this session.
The emergence of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) processes for high-volume capability through fast-sequence processing that enables roll-to-roll production promises a dramatic improvement of the commercial viability of ALD for many new applications, and is a continued focus area for 2012.
Topics of strategic interest for the “Emerging Technologies” session are:
• ALD processes for high-volume capability through fast-sequence processing
• Thin film applications in alternative energy storage, conversion and generation
• Economically viable alternatives to classic transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) for example with nanotubes and nanowires
• New transparent oxide electronics applications: TFTs and new p-type material junction devices
• High-performance electronics on flexible transparent substrates and roll-to-roll processing
Contributed talks and posters are solicited for these areas. New and innovative topics that advance the use of thin film processing in modern technology applications are always welcome.
Invited Speakers:
Eric Dickey, Lotus Applied Technologies, Hillsboro, OR: “Advances in Roll to Roll Atomic Layer Deposition”
Steven M. George, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO: "Metalcones: Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Films Fabricated Using Atomic and Molecular Layer Deposition Techniques"
Emerging Technologies TAC Co-Chairs: Clark Bright, 3M Company (520/746-7061, cibright@mmm.com); Chris H. Stoessel, Southwall Technologies Inc. (650/798-1242, stoessel@attglobal.net); Carlo Misiano, Romana Film Sottili S.r.l, Italy (39/064 423 0163, carlo.misiano@libero.it)
High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering - HIPIMS
High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) is a recent technology that is moving from laboratory scale to production. The combination of increasing understanding of the physics of HIPIMS discharges and the up-scaling and industrial implementation promote and accelerate this transition. As an evolving technology, improvements and new approaches in thin film coatings are increasingly announced in several fields: semiconductor devices, photovoltaics, sensor devices, optical coatings, tool coatings, and new applications for hard coatings resistant to wear, high temperature oxidation, and corrosion.
New technologies and plasma sources based on the ideas behind HIPIMS are also starting to emerge. For the plasma and process characterization new approaches of process control, and dedicated plasma diagnostics equipment are currently developed and reported. New science is emerging to predict both plasma behavior and coating synthesis, followed by transfer of processes to production scale and realization of industrial products.
The session aims to provide a forum to discuss all aspects of the technology, including, but not limited to:
• Plasma and discharge science and diagnostics for HIPIMS – experimental and modeling approaches
• New plasma sources based on high impulse power
• New plasma sources to produce highly ionized metal plasma and gas activation for HIPIMS
• Hardware development
• Process development and stability
• Substrate pre-treatment prior to coating deposition
• Coating deposition in reactive and non-reactive atmosphere
• Performance of coatings in different applications
• Wear protection
• Environmental protection
• Optical properties
• Electrical properties
Invited Speaker:
Oliver Lemmer, CemeCon AG, Würselen, Germany: “Hard Coatings for Advanced Cutting Tool Applications Produced by HiPIMS-Technology”
High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) TAC Chair: Arutiun P. Ehiasarian, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom (44/114 225 3646, a.ehiasarian@shu.ac.uk). Assistant TAC Chairs: Jolanta Klemberg-Sapieha, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada (514/340-5747, jsapieha@polymtl.ca); Ralf Bandorf, Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, Germany (49/531 2155 602, ralf.bandorf@ist.fraunhofer.de)
Vacuum Processes and Coatings for Biomedical Applications
The surface of virtually every medical device plays a critical role in its performance. Coatings and surface modification techniques are responsible for features ranging from hardness in artificial joints to the ability to see biopsy needles using ultrasound. Vacuum technology plays an ever-increasing role in producing the surface features that enable advances in medicine. For this session, presentations about the latest advances in this exciting area are welcome.
• Surface treatment for enhanced biocompatibility
• Surface cleaning and sterilization with plasmas
• Hard and protective coatings for medical implants and devices
• Tribological phenomena in a biological environment
• Corrosion resistance and accelerated screening tests
• Optical coatings for biomedical devices and instrumentation
• New processes for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications
• Surface and interface analysis of biomedical products
• Systems for drug delivery and sensing
• Porous and micro/nanostructured films
• Bio-MEMS
• Photocatalytic effects in medical devices
• Patterning for biomedical devices
• Packaging of biomedical and pharmaceutical products
• Adhesion and interfacial phenomena
• New organic and inorganic thin film materials for biomedical applications
• FDA standards compatibility
• Equipment scale up and process economics
Invited Speaker:
Sunil Kumar, CoatingsMantra Science and Technology Consulting, Adelaide, Australia: "Thin-Film Coatings and Plasma Processing for Improving the Fixation of Bone Implants"
Vacuum Processes and Coatings for Biomedical Applications TAC Chair: David A. Glocker, Isoflux Incorporated (585/349-0640, dglocker@isofluxinc.com). Assistant TAC Chairs: Hana Baránková, Uppsala University, Sweden (46/184 713 118, hana.barankova@angstrom.uu.se); Ludvik Martinu, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada (514/340-4099, ludvik.martinu@polymtl.ca)
Exciting developments in optical coatings are stimulated by the latest trends in optics, optoelectronics, photonics, optical data processing, display, biomedical, sensor, energy and photovoltaics, automotive, aerospace, architectural, and other technologies. The Optical Coatings sessions will bring together these different aspects for technical interchange in the field of optical interference coatings. Topics featured will include coating design, development of practical manufacturing techniques, characterization methods, and a wide range of applications.
To build a well-rounded Optical Coatings session, abstracts are solicited from the following areas:
• Novel optical interference design software and design techniques
• New fabrication processes for optical coatings
• Real-time process monitoring and control with optical coating processes
• Performance enhancement through optical coatings
• Novel optical coating materials
• Coatings on polymers and special substrate materials
• Optical coatings for multifunctional requirements
• Metrology of optical films (new instrumentation and software developments, in-line or in situ approaches, etc.)
• Applications in non-traditional wavelengths
• Complex 3-D optical device
• Coatings for biomedical applications
• Optical coatings for energy control and solar power
• Optical coatings for laser applications
• Optical coatings for display, aerospace and integrated photonic device applications
• Production issues common to the industry - including lessons learned or serendipitous discoveries that came from problems or disasters
• Industrial scale-up
Invited Speakers:
Michel Lequime, Institut Fresnel, Marseille, France: “Optimization of the Manufacturing Strategies of High Quality Coatings into a 2-Meter Optics Magnetron Sputtering Deposition Machine”
Ben Gallagher, Ball Aerospace Technologies Corp., Boulder, CO: “JWST Mirror Production Overview”
Ian C. Stevenson, Quantum Coating, Inc., Moorestown, NJ: "Gold Coatings for the Reflective Optics on James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)"
Optical Coating TAC Co-Chairs: Bryant Hichwa, Sonoma State University (retired) (707/785-1922, bhichwa@earthlink.net); Ulrike Schulz, Fraunhofer Institut für Angewandte Optik und Feinmechanik IOF, Germany (49/3641 807 344, ulrike.schulz@iof.fraunhofer.de); James N. Hilfiker, J.A. Woollam Co., Inc. (402/477-7501, jhilfiker@jawoollam.com)
Large Area coatings span all of the coating technology and applications fields. Typically once a product or process is commercialized in high volume, large area processes are the ones of choice for low cost, high value production. This year’s Large Area sessions will focus on areas that will complement and extend the topics of the two Symposia “Lab to Fab” and “New Materials and Processing for Photovoltaics Manufacturing”.
Areas of focus for which we are seeking papers include, but are not limited to:
• Transparent electronics, TCOs and similar materials
• Thin film materials, processes and applications for touch screen, cell phone and active display applications
• Thin film photovoltaic and semiconductor materials, coatings for green/alternative energy applications
• Electrochromic and smart window coating technologies
• Architectural and automotive coatings, easy-clean, bio-active and surface-modification coatings
• Thin film batteries and fuel cell components
• Innovations in critical coating equipment
• Innovations in sputter targets and materials, PECVD, and evaporation
• Advances in modeling, simulation and reverse-engineering of large area coatings, processes and equipment
• Extending the reach and protecting intellectual property of large area coating operations
Invited Speaker:
Teresa Barnes, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO: "Advanced Transparent Contacts for Photovoltaic and other Applications"
Large Area Coating TAC Chair: Michael Andreasen, Vacuum Edge (707/365-7433, michael.andreasen@vacuumedge.com). Assistant TAC Chair: Johannes Strümpfel, VON ARDENNE, Germany (49/351 263 7350, struempfel.johannes@ardenne-at.de)
Plasma processing has the unique capability of delivering a diverse but selective reactivity to a surface. This capability, however, is based on the complexity of the plasma environment, defined by specific plasma physics and chemistry, material science and plasma-surface interactions. Thus, the potential of plasma processing can only be up-scaled at industrial scale when material studies are accompanied by the understanding of plasma physics, plasma chemistry and mechanisms of plasma-surface interactions, developed through modeling and experimental efforts.
The Chairs welcome all papers aimed to arise interest from the scientific and industrial community in the field of thin film plasma deposition/ modification, novel and emerging plasma processing tools and applications, and plasma sources compatible with large area processing.
In addition to this, the 2012 Plasma Processing program will explore the fundamentals of plasma science by soliciting contributions, particularly in two research areas:
• Plasma Diagnostic Tools:
ion probes, optical and non optical diagnostics for radical and molecule detection, investigation in harsh plasma (deposition/etching) environments
• Plasma Modeling:
plasma modeling and its role in designing plasma processing systems
Invited Speakers:
Ralf Peter Brinkmann, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany: “The Multiple Resonance Probe: A Novel Device for Industry Compatible Plasma Diagnostics”
Shahid Rauf, Applied Materials, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA: “Plasma Processing System Design Using Plasma and Electromagnetic Modeling”
Plasma Processing TAC Chair: Adriana Creatore, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands (31/402 474 223, m.creatore@tue.nl). Assistant TAC Chairs: Scott Walton, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (202/767-7531, scott.walton@nrl.navy.mil); James Bradley, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom (44/151 794 4545, j.w.bradley@liverpool.ac.uk)
Heuréka! Post-Deadline Recent Developments
The Heuréka! session at the SVC TechCon is an important venue for post-deadline presentations and “hot-off-the-press” achievements delayed due to patenting procedures, specific strategy or business reasons. The Heuréka! session is expected to be even more important in Santa Clara. The Silicon Valley is home to a large concentration of hi-tech industries, universities, research centers, and a large number of scientists, engineers and venture capitalists. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce new knowledge and results, latest experiences and advances, inspiring ideas, hot developments, inventions and stimulating achievements in coating technologies.
The Heuréka! session is run independently from other sessions, in a relaxing evening atmosphere with refreshments generously supported by our sponsors. There are no invited presentations and the number of time slots in this prestigious program is limited. The presented topics are usually quite diverse and bring inspirations to the audience and spark very interesting discussions. Abstracts for the Heuréka! session can be submitted after the official TechCon abstract deadline of October 14, 2011, but not later than March 2, 2012 to guarantee the presentation’s inclusion in the Final Program.
Heuréka! Session Organizers: Ladislav Bárdos, Uppsala University, Sweden (46/184 7130 34, ladislav.bardos@angstrom.uu.se) and Hana Baránková, Uppsala University, Sweden (46/184 713 118, hana.barankova@angstrom.uu.se)
In today’s complex environment of commercial globalization, competing technologies, nation-specific policies, and large-scale capital requirements, the “business” of participating in today’s market has never been more exciting. It has also never been riskier and the stakes have never been higher!
A key component of the SVC Strategic plan is to present a forum to address the unique commercial challenges that face our constituents and also provide forward-looking analysis that will both guide and educate the membership. The SVC is soliciting presentations and posters that address these issues in the following areas:
• Emerging trends and markets with a focus on financial opportunities and risk management
• Pressures on thin film technology as cost and implementation potentially offset durability, aesthetics, and performance advantages
• Technical developments required to support larger scale implementation of thin film photovoltaics and manufacturing cost efficiencies
• Strategic materials issues, and supply chain management
• “Best Practice” implementation, industrial collaboration, benchmarking, and strategies
• Government/Private funding initiatives for technology development, start-up “seed” monies, and workforce education/training
• Intellectual property development, maintenance, and protection
Invited Speaker:
Richard Farrell, Tangent Knowledge Systems, Chicago, IL: “Selling has Nothing to do with Selling”
Business Topics Session Organizers: Frank T. Zimone, Angstrom Sciences (856/938-9653, fzimone@angstromsciences.com); David Sanchez, Materion Advanced Chemicals (954/261-2120, david.sanchez@materion.com)
Executive Forum
Road Mapping of Future Thin Film Products
This Forum is designed to be an open interaction between the captains of industry and the attendees. We will look at future products involving thin film technology, their markets and how to get there.
• Where will we be in 2020? What will be the new products and challenges to get us there?
• Supply chain management including raw materials availability
• International manufacturing and trade
• Technology and fabrication partnerships
• Environmental impact of new technologies
Venture Forum
Funding and Tools to Get Your Product to Market
This Forum is designed to give TechCon attendees the opportunity to directly interact with business development experts and those skilled in the funding of start-ups and small to medium businesses
venturing into new product areas. The Forum emphasizes the following areas:
• Venture funding for start-ups
• Government sponsored manufacturing and innovation programs
• Concept-to-prototype, prototype-to manufacturing facilities
• University-industry partnerships and training programs
• Duration of the “Idea-to-Innovation” cycle
Forum Organizers: Carl M. Lampert, Star Science (707/794-0333, cmlstar@sonic.net); Bettina Weiss, SEMI (408/943-6998, bweiss@semi.org)
Donald M. Mattox Tutorial Presentations
Julian Carey, Intematix Corporation, Freemont, CA: "Emerging Trends in Solid State Lighting"
