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AUGUST 2019 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 45 and tighter and exposed to harsher environ- ments. However, a lot of these new technologies like LDI/DI and inkjet will require PCB manufac- turers to invest in new equipment to run these new products. Also, to take full advantage of the advancements made in our new via fill products, equipment purchases for vacuum- assisted via filling are required to maximize the highest of quality HDI products. But some new materials, such as head spreading tech- nology, do not necessarily require new equip- ment and offer other advantages, including longer reliability of devices. In the end, these higher-quality PCBs can be made with technol- ogy that can be an additive process, such as inkjet solder mask. This will offer many cost- saving opportunities and promote a greener environment. SMT007 John Fix is manager and director, marketing and sales, for Taiyo America Inc. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology are proposing a method that utilizes heat and distributes it evenly over a longer period instead. When their spe- cially designed molecule is struck by the sun's rays, it captures photons and simultaneously changes form; it is isomerized. When the sun stops shining on the win- dow film, the molecules release heat for up to eight hours after the sun has set. At dawn, when the film has not absorbed any solar energy, it is yellow or orange. When the mole- cule captures solar energy and is isomerized, it loses its color and becomes entirely transparent. As long as the sun is shining on the film, it captures energy, which means that not as much heat penetrates through the film and into the room. At dusk, when there is less sunlight, the heat starts to be released from the film, it gradually returns to its yellow shade, and it is ready to capture sunlight again the follow- ing day. The molecule is part of a concept the research team calls molecular solar thermal storage (MOST). Previously, the team presented an energy system for houses based on the same molecule. In that case—after the solar energy had been captured by the molecule—it could be stored for an extended period, such as from summer to winter, and then used to heat an entire house. The researchers realized that they could shorten the step to the applica- tion by optimizing the molecule for a window film as well, which would also create better conditions for the slightly more complex energy system for houses. The researchers still have to increase the concentra- tion of the molecule in the film while also retaining the film's properties and bring down the price. (Source: Chalmers University of Technology) Window Film Could Even Out the Indoor Temperature Using Solar Energy