Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1345210
MARCH 2021 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 89 flex circuit bends, you can more easily design within the device constraints. 7. Validate your design. Use your relation- ship with a PCB manufacturer and assembly partner to make sure your design will work. ey will be able to provide feedback that will increase yields and reliability, as well as improve cost competitiveness. e future of IoT is just around the corner. Expand and hone your design skills today, and perhaps be part of creating the next Alexa or Fitbit tomorrow. SMT007 References 1. 7 Design Aspects of IoT PCB Designs—Siemens EDA (pads.com) Matt Stevenson Researchers at Osaka University demonstrated a new technique for modifying the hydrogen con- centration of resistors by applying an electrical volt- age. The generated electric field drove the diffusion of hydrogen ions deeper into the perovskite rare- earth nickelate lattice, which led to a tunable "colos- sal" increase in electrical resistance. This research can lead to new gas sensors and electrically switch- able smart materials. Computer chips depend on the careful control of electrical signals through semiconductors. Con- ventionally, the conductivity of silicon chips is mod- ified by intentionally "doping" them with impurity ions. However, this process is usually done once at the factory, and cannot be changed later. Thus, the ability to dynamically control the doping of materials would open the way for novel switches and poten- tially even entirely new kinds of computer circuits. Now, scientists at Osaka University have created thin films of neodymium nickel oxide (NdNiO3) with an electrical resistance that can change dramatically by controlling the distribution of hydrogen ions (pro- tons) in the film. The hydrogen was added in a pro- cess called "gas-phase annealing" in which the thin film, which has a perovskite crystal structure, was exposed to hydrogen gas in the presence of an electric field which caused the formation of hydro- gen protons. This reaction was sped up by platinum electrodes, which act as catalysts. (Source: Osaka University) A Colossal Step for Electronics Strongly correlated oxide proton resistor devices. Matt Stevenson is the VP of sales and marketing at Sunstone Circuits. To read past columns or contact Stevenson, click here.