Micro-indentation test with a micro flat-end cone indenter was employed to simulate micro embossing process and investigate the thermo-mechanical response of ceramic green substrates. The laminated low temperature co-fired ceramic green tapes were us
ed as the testing material ; the correlations of indentation depth versus applied force and applied stress at the temperatures of 25 degrees C and 75degrees C were studied. The results showed that permanent indentation cavities could be formed at temperatures ranging from 25 degrees C to 75 degrees C, and the depth of cavities created was applied force, temperature and dwell time dependent. Creep occurred and made a larger contribution to the plastic deformation at elevated temperatures and high peak loads. There was instantaneous recovery during the unloading and retarded recovery in the first day after indentation. There was no significant pile-up due to material flow observed under compression at the temperature up to 75 degrees C. The plastic deformation was the main cause for formation of cavity on the ceramic green substrate under compression. The results can be used as a guideline for embossing ceramic green substrates.
Multilayered ceramic substrates with embedded micro patterns are becoming increasingly important, for example, in harsh environment electronics and microfluidic devices. Fabrication of these embedded micro patterns, such as micro channels, cavities a
nd vias, is a challenge. This study focuses on the process of patterning micro features on ceramic green substrates using micro embossing. A ceramic green tape that possessed near-zero shrinkage in the x-y plane was used, six layers of which were laminated as the embossing substrate. The process parameters that impact on the pattern fidelity were investigated and optimized in this study. Micro features with line-width as small as several micrometers were formed on the ceramic green substrates. The dynamic thermo-mechanical analysis indicated that extending the holding time at certain temperature range would harden the green substrates with little effect on improving the embossing fidelity. Ceramic substrates with embossed micro patterns were obtain d after co-firing. The embedded micro channels were also obtained by laminating the green tapes on the embossed substrates.
In large area micro hot embossing, the process temperature plays a critical role to both the local fidelity of microstructure formation and global uniformity. The significance of low temperature hot embossing is to improve global flatness of embossed
devices. This paper reports on experimental studies of polymer deformation and relaxation in micro embossing when the process temperatures are below or near its glass transition temperature (Tg). In this investigation, an indentation system and a micro embosser were used to investigate the relationship of microstructure formation versus process temperature and load pressure. The depth of indentation was controlled and the load force at a certain indentation depth was measured. Experiments were carried out using 1 mm thick PMMA films with the process temperature ranging from Tg-55 degrees C to Tg +20 degrees C. The embossed structures included a single micro cavity and groups of micro cavity arrays. It was found that at temperature of Tg-55 degrees C, elastic deformation dominated the formation of microstructures and significant relaxation happened after embossing. From Tg-20 degrees C to Tg, plastic deformation dominated polymer deformation, and permanent cavities could be formed on PMMA substrates without obvious relaxation. However, the formation of protrusive structures as micro pillars was not complete since there was little polymer flow. With an increase in process temperature, microstructure could be formed under lower loading pressure. Considering the fidelity of a single microstructure and global flatness of embossed substrates, micro hot embossing at a low process temperature, but with good fidelity, should be preferred.
This paper reports on our research in developing a micro power generation system based on gas turbine engine and piezoelectric converter. The micro gas turbine engine consists of a micro combustor, a turbine and a centrifugal compressor. Comprehensiv
e simulation has been implemented to optimal the component design. We have successfully demonstrated a silicon-based micro combustor, which consists of seven layers of silicon structures. A hairpin-shaped design is applied to the fuel/air recirculation channel. The micro combustor can sustain a stable combustion with an exit temperature as high as 1600 K. We have also successfully developed a micro turbine device, which is equipped with enhanced micro air-bearings and driven by compressed air. A rotation speed of 15,000 rpm has been demonstrated during lab test. In this paper, we will introduce our research results major in the development of micro combustor and micro turbine test device.
