Open Access

ARTICLE

Molten-Alloy Driven Self-Assembly for Nano and Micro Scale System Integration

by Ehsan Saeedi¹, Shaghayegh Abbasi¹, Karl F. B ¨ohringer¹, Babak A. Parviz¹

1 Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2006, 2(4), 221-246. https://doi.org/10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.221

Abstract

Self-assembly is emerging as one of the main methods for construction of heterogeneous systems consisting of multiple component types in nano- and micro-scales. The engineered self-assembly used for system integration involves preparation of parts that can recognize and bind to each other or a template, and perfection of procedures that allow for high yield self-assembly of these parts into a system. Capillary forces resultant from molten alloys are attractive candidates for driving such self-assembly processes as they can simultaneously provide electrical and mechanical connections. The basic self-assembly process is reviewed here. Selection of the appropriate alloy, a critical issue in development of the self-assembly mechanism, is discussed and various candidates are identified. Examples are provided in which alloys are used to interconnect parts in nano- and micro-scales or produce three-dimensional structures. We conclude with a brief discussion of opportunities and challenges ahead in the development of system integration processes taking advantage of self-assembly.

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