Events

"Parylene Technology for Increasing the Reliability of Electronics and Medical Devices"

Rakesh Kumar
Director of Technology
Specialty Coating Systems, Indianapolis

http://www.scscoatings.com/

Abstract:

The role of polymers in the electronics and medical areas, particularly in miniaturized devices and electronic components, continues to grow rapidly due to increasing demand for more reliable products and advances in other technical fields. As the number of medical devices, including implantables, and electronics are growing to enhance human life, the challenges to make them safe, effective and reliable are also increasing.

Many medical implantables incorporate microelectronic components that are placed inside the body to either sense or to facilitate a physiological response. It is very important that these devices do not create an adverse effect within the body. Among the available polymers, Parylenes have played a significant role in the packaging and protection of such devices, enhancing the overall reliability within body tissues and fluids and in other harsh environments. Parylenes have also been very effective on non-implantable medical electronics devices, by providing protection from adverse environmental effects. Examples of Parylenes in medical electronic devices include retinal implants, implantable cardiac defibrillators, neurostimulator pulse generators, RFID implants, transdermal drug delivery devices, digital dental imaging equipment, hearing aids, ingestible sensors/transmitters, and implantable radiation dosimeters. Their suitability and biocompatibilty encourage researchers to explore Parylenes’ role in sensors and in active electronic devices for medical applications.

The packaging, protection and reliability of non-medical electronics including pressure and temperature sensors, PCB's, MEM's, a variety of micro and optoelectronic devices, fuel cell components and nano-electronic parts are becoming more challenging due to the long-term performance requirements.  Recently, there have been advances in the Parylene technology itself, particularly in the types of new materials and their possible applications within the electronics industry. The new solvent-and-catalyst free, thin, organic coating, named Parylene HT®, offers solutions to many of these challenges in the industry, in part because of its excellent electrical & mechanical properties, chemical inertness and long-term thermal stability (high temperature exposure to over 350oC). In addition, Parylene truly conforms to the components due to its molecular level deposition characteristics.

This presentation provides an overview of Parylene’s impact on electronics and medical device areas, and highlights comparative advantages of Parylenes over existing polymers in terms of electrical insulation, mechanical strength, dry lubricity, chemical inertness, biocompatibilty and overall long-term stability.

Speaker Background:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar is currently the director of technology at Specialty Coating Systems, Inc., where he leads the R&D group and manages Parylene research and development activities. His prior work experience includes positions with Lucent Technologies, Optronx, where he was involved with the development of high-speed, optoelectronic telecommunications components and subsystems. He is currently involved with the application of Parylene coatings in the field of medical including implantable devices, electronics, BioMEMS, and nanotechnology.  He has more than 20 years of extensive experience in the development of polymeric materials and their applications in the electronics, semiconductors and medical areas. Dr. Kumar earned his undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in Chemistry from Gorakhpur University in India, and completed his post-doctorate work in polymer chemistry at the University College London in the U.K. He is co-author of a book and has authored several published papers and patents.

Company Background:

Specialty Coating Systems (SCS) provides Parylene coating services, equipment, and dimer.  SCS is the direct descendent of the companies that original developed Parylene, and has more than 35 years of experience and expertise.  SCS' worldwide resources include highly experienced professionals working in 9 state-of-the-art coating facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

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PRACTICAL DETAILS

DATE

Tuesday, October 23

Location:

Michael's Restaurant at Shoreline Park
2960 N Shoreline Blvd
Mountain View, CA  94043
Directions  Map

Timing:

6 PM social hour 
7 PM dinner 
8 PM lecture

Cost:

$30 with advance registration 
Half price for students, retired, and unemployed. (late fee still applies, if applicable) 
Free if you attend just the lecture at 8PM. (but please let us know for headcount)
$40 after registration deadline, if possible -- please contact us to inquire.

Payment:

we accept cash or checks, but are unable to accept payment by credit card at this time. You may pay at the door.

Registration:   

Please register on the web page https://ggpf.mystagingwebsite.com/  or contact:
    Len Radzilowski
    email      lradzilo@tycoelectronics.com
    phone    650-361-3264

Deadline for registration:

5 PM, Friday October 19

Dinner Selections:

salmon 
chicken portobello
spinach and cheese tortellini

You should receive confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.