CELCORR vision of enhancing humidity robustness of electronic system
Humidity effects on electronics causing corrosion reliability issues, which influence the functionality of the electronics in an intermittent and permanent manner can be tackled by: (i) Intrinsic methods meaning that by enhancing the inherent humidity resistance of PCBA or components or (ii) Extrinsic methods such as methods that reduce humidity entry to system, and therefore contact with PCBA or components for example conformal coating, potting, or proper encapsulation/enclosure controlling humidity entry. Method (i) and (ii) are interdependent as shown in the figure below because the level of protection needed from (ii) depends on the humidity boundary that the PCBA can handle without failure.
Activities at CELCORR is based on this vision aiming at building capabilities for “Pro-active design for preventing humidity related reliability issues and developing protection and prediction capabilities”. Center has research and development activities dealing with Intrinsic (i) and extrinsic (ii) aspects.
Intrinsic aspects and methods: Enhancing humidity robustness at Material, component, and PCBA level
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Humidity and PCBA interaction: Understanding water film build up and characteristics
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Contamination issues, humidity, and corrosion reliability issues
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Soldering process optimization for cleanliness: Reflow, Wave, and Hand soldering
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Solder chemistry effects on humidity robustness and modification of flux chemistry
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Solder mask influence on humidity related failure issues
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PCBA polymer materials: moisture absorption and de-gassing issues
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Predicting humidity effects on PCBA using electrochemical models
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Predicting humidity effects on PCBA using probabilistic models
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Corrosion reliability issues of electrical contacts and connectors
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Sulphur corrosion issues of electronic components and PCBA
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DC and AC based test methods for humidity effects on electronics
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Testing PCBA cleanliness level: Qualitative and Quantitative methods
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Extrinsic aspects and methods: Conformal coating and potting, enclosure design for humidity control, and integrated sensor for monitoring humidity effects
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Conformal coating for humidity protection and performance
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Potting materials for humidity protection and performance
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Enclosure design for humidity control and semi-empirical modelling tools for design analysis
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Climate coupled design possibilities using climate data analysis and clustering
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Methodologies for climatic testing at System level and failure analysis
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Other activities at the Centre:
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MEMs reliability issues and prevention
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Humidity aspects of Zinc air and Li ion batteries used for hearing aid applications
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Humidity related reliability issues of hearing aids and enhancing robustness
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Product support work and short industry projects based on humidity and electronics
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Failure analysis methodology for electronics and advice on humidity issues
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