| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C53476X/1 |
| Title: |
Maskless Non-Planar Photolithography (3DML) |
| Principal Investigator: |
Seed, Dr NL |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Electronic and Electrical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Sheffield |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 September 2005 |
Ends: |
28 February 2009 |
Value (£): |
442,660
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Electronic Devices & Subsys. |
Materials Processing |
| Microsystems |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This research is concerned with changing the way we make electronics circuits. At present electronic components are assembled on a flat printed circuit board and soldered into place. We are proposing a new instrument that will make it possible to build circuits which can be assembled on any surface including ones which are very far from being flat. The great advantage of this is that in equipment like in mobile phones the components can be assembled on the inside surface of the plastic case, without the need to mount a flat circuit board inside. We have demonstrated that the way to do this is to use holograms to project three-dimensional pictures of the circuit tracks onto the surface in question. This has already led to some really exciting work, whereby we have been able to make spiral tracks on the outside of a cone. Our interest in investigating this new way of making electronic circuits is that nature itself is three-dimensional and to capture radio waves and send signals and connect 3D objects together that are in themselves very small will require the kind of new instrument we are proposing to build. This particular research proposed in the following case for support is making a major step forward in developing moving holograms rather than static holograms. The difference is a significant as the difference between digital photographs and digital television, where the latter allows you to keep track of events as they evolve in time and space. We have called the proposal Maskless Nonplanar Photolithography because the hologram mask is created on a time-changing screen, thus allowing us to scan the correct circuit details and project them onto the changing topographical surface. This should allow us to contemplate making very interesting devices like television screens that are as big the wall in a room and connect microelectronic computers to the tiny nanoscale medical and environmental sensors becoming available. Solutions for mobile phone antennas to be encased in watches alongside your hand-held computer all might be now feasible.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.shef.ac.uk |