'Thin films & coatings' Roadmap - Nano Mahidol

light that carries data through the network into different colours, or wavelengths.
Each resulting wavelength is capable of carrying a discrete data channel.
Planar waveguides is an alternative approach for assembling and designing optical
components. It consists on assembling glass fibres into single chip substrate by
creating pathways in a silicon wafer. The material consists of a thin film of a material
with high refractive index deposited onto a transparent substrate (e.g. polymer,
glass) with lower refractive index. As compared to thin film technology presently used
for optical components manufacturing (high labour involved), technology for planar
waveguide manufacturing are borrowed from the semiconductor industry (much more
automated and allowing for batches’ production). However, there’s the need for costeffective
and reliable (low-loss and ease of patterning) planar waveguide materials.
Other benefits stemming from nanotechnology developments are the possibility to
better understand and exploit the surface plasmon effects to make devices such as
optical modulators (using electro-optically active thin films).
Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS)
MEMS consist of the integration of mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and
electronics on a common silicon substrate through microfabrication technology. The
components are fabricated using compatible "micromachining" processes that
selectively etch away parts of the silicon wafer or add new structural layers to form
the mechanical and electromechanical devices. In MEMS, technology has been
transferred from the semiconductors’ industry and therefore could benefit from its
developments. MEMS have been widely used in the automotive industry a.o. in airbags
accelerometers, pressure sensors, etc. Future applications include biochips,
high-throughput screening devices, switches, physical and chemical sensors, radio
frequency devices etc.
Friction reducing coatings
Aims at protection of severe surface damage of mechanical elements by minimizing
the transfer of friction energy or adhesion generated at the contacting interface. The
reduction of friction in turn reduces wear damage and thereby extends the life and
reliability of products. Carbon or diamond-like thin films could be applied in any
applications where the material is working under friction conditions or subject to
wear: machining processes such as grinding, milling and drilling or such as
mechanical and transport engineering. For instance, application of a carbon thin film
over steel substrate could reduce the friction coefficient by a factor of 5 or 6. Thin film
technology could optimise thin film composition and thickness to specific
requirements. Other materials being applied are alumina, Y-Zr2O3, self-assembled
monolayers or polymer coatings. Although there are friction-reducing coatings on the
market, substantial improvement (perhaps zero friction coatings) could be within
reach. However, the laws of mechanics can’t be applied in their continuous form at
the nano-scale and nano-mechanics still lack general models.
Thermal insulation in windows
Glass is a cheap material to produce in large quantities and it’s easy to process.
Moreover, it’s very transparent, very resistant to scratch and to environmental effects
and it’s shape stable. However, the thermal portion of the electromagnetic spectrum
is almost 100% transmitted and, therefore, leads to bad insulation properties.
34 Roadmap report on
Thin films and coatings