nGimat is developing complex oxide, metal and organic (polymeric) engineered nanomaterials for next-generation electronic and optic devices. nGimat's approach is not limited to a specific class of nanomaterials, but rather utilizes the full spectrum of available materials to engineer the best solution. These advanced materials are being developed mostly as thin films to address the performance and cost targets of a variety of emerging technologies in microelectronics, sensors, and displays.

Sensors
nGimat's unique integrated optic chip technology, in its ReliaSense^TM Optical Sensor, provides a fundamental simplification in sensing. The detection circuits in nGimat's patented optical chip permit direct, real-time measurement of chemicals and biomolecules in both liquids and gases. Furthermore, multiple sensing circuits can easily be defined on a single optical chip, allowing simultaneous measurement of many substances. These integrated optic chips are inexpensive to make, leveraging off nGimat's expertise in the deposition of electro-optic thin films and subsequent processing techniques developed for the semiconductor industry.

Embedded Passives
Resistors are the second most frequently used component in electronic circuits and represent approximately 30% of all electronic components used in printed circuit boards. Traditionally, resistors are mounted on printed circuit boards through soldered connections. Rohm and Haas Electronics Materials is a non-exclusive licensee of nGimat's proprietary CCVD-based coating process and key nanomaterial issued patents that enable resistors to be embedded inside the circuit board thus eliminating the need for soldered connections and significantly reducing board size and weight and improving reliability. The Rohm and Haas product being made with nGimat intellectual property is called InSite^TM Embedded Passives materials. nGimat has also developed and patented advanced dielectric materials for embedded capacitors, which can be tested for use in various applications.

Next-Generation of Advanced Materials

Dielectrics & Conductors

Dielectrics
nGimat's CCVD Process is particularly well suited for the deposition of complex metal oxides that may address the need for high-k dielectrics in memory, semiconductor gate and other integrated dielectric applications. Though initially developed for non-volatile memory and integrated dielectric applications, nGimat is utilizing this core materials competency to develop other applications, such as sensors. Through government-funded research, nGimat has demonstrated the ability to deposit key ferroelectric layers and device electrode layers with excellent results.

Conductors
Transparent conducting oxide (TCO) films, exhibiting high optical transmission and electrical conductivity, play an important role in various thin film solar cell and flat panel display technologies. nGimat is pioneering the development of high refractive index, low cost, highly transparent conducting ZnO films using its proprietary CCVD Process to overcome this limitation. A number of metals (Pt, Cu, Ni) and other conductive oxides can also be formed.

Thin Polymers & Composites
nGimat has combined its ability to deposit polymer thin films for barrier applications and ability to produce nanopowders to create uniquely engineered thin film polymer nanocomposites. By co-deposition of polymer thin films (10 nm to 10 microns) and nanopowders (APS 5-100 nm), nGimat has demonstrated the potential to enable the economical roll-to-roll manufacture of high performance organic LEDs and organic embedded capacitors.