PCB Fabrication via Self-Assembly Membranes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for fabricating printed circuit boards (PCBs) are complex and costly, with issues such as poor metal adhesiveness during chemical plating and the need for repeated testing and repairs, especially in achieving high-density designs with miniaturization requirements.

Innovation Solution

The method involves ink-jet printing technology to form self-assembly membranes (SAMs) on substrates, applying catalyst particles, and immersing in an electrolyte to create metal circuits, eliminating the need for photoresist exposure, etching, and expensive equipment, allowing for cost-effective and efficient fabrication of double-sided or multi-layer PCBs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional chemical plating is used to form metal circuits on PCB substrates, then metal circuits can be formed, but metal adhesiveness is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal adhesivenessVSAvoidmetal circuit reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) as an intermediary between the substrate and metal catalyst particles. The SAM, formed by immersing the substrate in a silane solution, provides a chemical bridge that enhances metal adhesiveness. The silane molecules self-assemble on the substrate surface, creating a controlled interface that improves metal circuit reliability without requiring roughness enhancement through polishing or etching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If physical polishing or chemical etching is performed to increase substrate roughness for better metal adhesiveness, then metal adhesiveness improves, but the process becomes more complex and not suitable for all substrate types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal adhesivenessVSAvoidfabrication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical polishing and chemical etching processes with a self-assembled monolayer formation process. Instead of physically or chemically modifying the substrate surface to increase roughness, the invention uses chemical self-assembly of silane molecules to create a uniform, controllable interface layer. This substitution eliminates complex fabrication steps and makes the process applicable to various substrate types without requiring surface roughness enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional PCB fabrication processes are used including photoresist coating, masking exposure, developing, and etching, then circuit patterns can be formed, but the manufacturing process is complicated and requires repeated testing and repairs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit pattern precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the photoresist coating, masking exposure, developing, and etching steps from the conventional PCB fabrication process. By directly forming metal circuits through catalytic chemical vapor deposition on predefined substrate areas, the invention removes the complex photoresist-based patterning sequence while maintaining circuit pattern precision. This extraction of unnecessary steps simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the need for repeated testing and repairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Volume of moving object

If high-density packaging technology is implemented with fine lines and mini holes, then PCB size is reduced, but the fabrication process becomes more difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePCB sizeVSAvoidfabrication ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes in the catalytic chemical vapor deposition process to enable high-density packaging. By controlling deposition temperature, pressure, and catalyst distribution, the invention can precisely form fine lines and mini holes with consistent metal adhesiveness. The self-assembled monolayer provides a uniform foundation that allows reliable metal circuit formation at high density, making fine-line fabrication easier and more cost-effective while reducing PCB size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces manufacturing costs and time, enhances metal adhesiveness, and allows for the creation of high-density designs without the need for complex processes, meeting market demands for lightweight and thin PCBs with fine lines and mini holes.

Implementation Method 1

forming a first self-assembly membrane (SAM) on at least one side of the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 2

providing catalyst particles on the at least one side of the substrate and on the surface of the microhole, and forming a catalyst circuit pattern on the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

immersing the substrate into an electrolyte to form a metal circuit on the substrate and a metal membrane in the microhole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical deposition: Electrodeposition

Data Source

PatentUS7834274B2Multi-layer printed circuit board and method for fabricating the same
Publication Date: 2010.11.16 UNIMICRON TECH CORP
  • US7834274B2 patent drawing
  • US7834274B2 patent drawing
  • US7834274B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for fabricating a double-sided or multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) by ink-jet printing that includes providing a substrate, forming a first self-assembly membrane (SAM) on at least one side of the substrate, forming a non-adhesive membrane on the first SAM, forming at least one microhole in the substrate, forming a second SAM on a surface of the microhole, providing catalyst particles on the at least one side of the substrate and on the surface of the microhole, and forming a catalyst circuit pattern on the substrate.