The fabrication of air-gap structures for electrical interconnections has been demonstrated using a sacrificial polymer encapsulated in conventional dielectric materials. The air-gap is formed by thermally decomposing the sacrificial polymer and allowing the byproducts to diffuse through the encapsulating dielectric. The diffusivity of the polymer decomposition products is adequate at elevated temperatures to allow the formation of an air-gap. The decomposition of a 5 µm thick polymer film results in less than 100 Å of residue. Electromagnetic simulation shows that the effective dielectric constant of silicon dioxide (ε = 4.2) can be lowered to 2.4-2.8 for relevant structures.

The viability of a new electrolyte was demonstrated in the bench

A study of density and glue distributions in polymer foam models for lost foam casting processes is reported. THzpulse measurements were compared with destructive measurements according to the principle of buoyancy-floating method to guarantee high quality standards in lost foam casting processes.

A 60 mol % K2SO4/40 normalmol%V2O5 molten salt mixture was tested for electrochemical activity to determine its propensity for sulfate transport. Results of cyclic voltammetry showed a high electrochemical activity due likely to the reduction and oxidation of bulk, as opposed to minor, species. Most reductions and oxidations did not conform to diffusion‐limited theory, and indicated the presence of stripping reactions. By Raman spectroscopy V(V) polymers were identified in the melt consisting predominantly of VO2false(SO4)23− and VO3− units, while VO2SO3− units were also detected. By reduction of the eutectic mixture with SO2 a V(IV) and a V(III) compound, most probably K4false(VO)3false(SO4)5 and K3Vfalse(SO4)3 , were isolated, as evidenced from infrared and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. These compounds might be involved in the electrochemically observed plating and stripping reactions. © 1999 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Lithiated nickel oxide (LiNi 0) electrodes have been successfully used with molten K2S207/V205 at 400 t and K2S04/V205 at 480 and 520 CC in tice electrochemical membrane removal of sulfur oxides from simulated flue gases. The porous gas-diffusion electrodes manufactured in the laboratory from commercial Ni electrode material remained stable and conductive in this environment for periods up to 40 days. Polarizations are reported in these systems for current densities up to 50 mA/cm2. The results show exchange current densities from 0.113 mA/cm2 at 400 CC to 0.8 mA/cm2 at 520 CC.