Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1060280
82 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2018 formance, low-cost options, and reliable solder connections. Dunn: When looking at the LED market, I can see the benefit of combining both the SAP and Mina technology. Can you describe how these technologies could work together and what the potential benefits are? Vinson: Yes, these two technologies can work together. In high-power electronics—including LEDs, metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), gallium-nitrate-based (GaN) electronics, insulated-gate bipolar tran - sistors (IGBTs), and driver and MOSFET mod- ules (DrMOSs)—the combination allows the use of an anodized aluminum circuit board with an improved thermal design. This is possible be- cause the SAP process allows direct copper plat- ing to the anodized areas while Mina allows di- rect soldering to the bare aluminum areas. Dunn: Mike, thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I am always interested in new and emerging technologies in our industry. I look forward to attending both of these presen- tations at IPC APEX EXPO 2019. Vinson: Thank you, Tara. PCB007 Tara Dunn is the president of Omni PCB, a manufacturer's rep firm specializing in the printed circuit board industry. To read past columns or contact Dunn, click here. In a study completed at Northwestern University in Il- linois and published in Nature Energy, Dr. Dong Jun Kim, now of the University of New South Wale's School of Chem- istry, led a team of researchers including Nobel Laureate Sir Fraser Stoddart to demonstrate a strategy for design- ing active materials for rechargeable aluminum batteries. "We found a novel way to design rechargeable alumi- num batteries by employing a redox-active macrocyclic compound as the active material," Dr. Kim said. His team managed to use a large organic chemical compound as Best Hope Yet for Aluminum-ion Batteries the part of the battery that stores energy—something that previously stumped researchers. What makes this is a big deal is that while lithium- ion batteries have enjoyed remarkable success power- ing mobile electronic devices in renewable energy appli- cations they are fraught by limited cycle life, safety con- cerns, and relatively high costs. Aluminum-ion batteries, on the other hand, have been seen as ideal contenders for this space given aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust behind oxygen and silicon. It also has one of the highest theoretical volumetric capacities due to its multi- ple redox states. "Our results showed promising bat- tery performances; however, it is ear- ly days, and we stress that there is a need to improve even more in every as- pect. So, it does not make much sense to compare against the well-estab- lished lithium-ion battery system," Dr. Kim said. He said he will continue to re- search aluminum-ion batteries while examining the potential of using other elements. (Source: UNSW Sydney) Aluminum-ion batteries could offer improved renewable energy storage.