BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY WINS R&D CONTRACT FROM THE U.S. DISPLAY CONSORTIUM FOR ROLL-TO-ROLL MANUFACTURING

$10 Million in Tools Will Help Launch Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing

BINGHAMTON, N.Y and SAN JOSE, Calif., January 24, 2005 — Binghamton University and the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) today announced that the University has been awarded a competitively bid contract from the USDC to establish and operate the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM). The USDC will initially provide $10 million in equipment to establish the center, which will combine resources from the USDC, Binghamton University and other academic, government and industry partners to help speed microelectronics manufacturing research and development in a roll-to-roll (R2R) format.

Currently, most advanced electronics components are produced on silicon or quartz wafers, or on plates of specialized glass in a “batch” process that has been the backbone of the integrated circuit (IC) and flat panel display (FPD) industries. A R2R process means, in theory, that components can be produced more efficiently, at higher yields and at a lower cost than is common practice today because material handling is reduced and throughput rate is increased with a continuous web process. The expected R2R result is conformable, rugged, lightweight electronic components and innovative products for commercial, consumer and military markets.

To initiate a R2R prototype manufacturing line for the production of electronic components and products at the CAMM, the USDC will provide a Model 6600 lithography system from Azores Corp. (Wilmington, Mass.) and a Model Mark 80 vacuum thin-film deposition system from CHA (Fremont, Calif.), which will include two deposition sources being developed by the Kurt J. Lesker Co. (Clairton, Pa). The USDC program is a collaborative effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Md.

According to the USDC’s Chief Technology Officer Dr. M. Robert Pinnel, Binghamton was awarded this USDC contract for a number of reasons. “ Binghamton University’s demonstrated strengths in science and engineering and prior center management experience, as well as its partnering and leadership attributes, were key criteria in our selection process,” said Pinnel. “Also, identification and commitment of New York State and regional economic resources were crucial. We are confident that this University’s resources and its cooperative and progressive academic, government and industry relationships will greatly contribute to the success of this aggressive R&D program.”

Directed by Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, professor of mechanical engineering and director of Binghamton University’s Integrated Electronics Engineering Center and its Small Scale Systems Packaging Center, the CAMM will evaluate equipment and materials developed under the auspices of USDC, industry or its own R&D program that can be further developed in a fully-integrated manufacturing line. Equipment will be accessible to both the University community and private industry, which will participate in the CAMM through paid membership fees and funded research programs. The CAMM will also provide large-scale testing, whereby academic research groups can test their work for manufacturing applicability without the high costs and risks typically associated with such activities.

“This award acknowledges Binghamton University’s stature as a leader in small scale systems integration and packaging research,” said Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur. “Through the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing, we will create a unique and unparalleled research and development capability that will strengthen partnerships between the University and the private sector. This will contribute to economic advancement in the Southern Tier, New York State and the nation. This Center is another example of the growing impact of Binghamton University’s academic and scientific expertise.”

Under the terms of the contract, Binghamton University will establish the CAMM at Endicott Interconnect Technologies in Endicott , N.Y. The University will recruit, integrate and manage academic, government and industry participation with which it will share innovations, and it will create, launch and maintain the technical R&D program. Cornell University and Endicott Interconnect Technologies will assist in establishing the center.

The CAMM will also work in tandem with the U.S. Army-funded Flexible Display Center (FDC) at Arizona State University ( Tempe, Ariz.) on display-related R&D. The FDC is already focusing on process development and pilot production of flexible backplanes and displays for U.S. Army platforms and, eventually, commercial applications.

The CAMM will focus on development of new, higher efficiency manufacturing platforms and address a wide range of manufacturing process and materials developments necessary to meet the needs of a broad array of electronic devices in flexible end products.

“I extend congratulations to Binghamton University for winning this contract from USDC,” stated Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY). “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have tracked the need for the latest generation communications and power technologies for the Armed Services. I am confident that the R&D Center at Binghamton University will not only be an invaluable asset to our nation’s technology base and a big boost to upstate New York’s competitive posture in the 21st Century, but will also attract state, national and international companies to further advance electronics manufacturing,” added Sen. Clinton. 

About the U.S. Display Consortium
The U.S. Display Consortium is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible microelectronics manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org

About Binghamton University
Binghamton University is one of the four university centers of the State University of New York. Known for the excellence of its students, faculty, staff and programs, Binghamton is one of the area’s largest employers and enrolls about 14,000 students in programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Its curriculum, founded in the liberal arts, has expanded to include selected professional and graduate programs, including those of the Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, its Integrated Electronics Engineering Center, which has a nationwide reputation in electronics packaging, and its Small Scale Systems Packaging Center. For more information, visit www.binghamton.edu.

Quote Sheet  

Jay McNamara, President and CEO, Endicott Interconnect Technologies
“Endicott Interconnect is very proud to be part of the new United States Display Consortium’s ‘Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing’ that will be located here at our Endicott, N.Y. facility. We are also very pleased to demonstrate our strong partnerships with both Binghamton University and Cornell University. The research at this facility will focus on technology elements required to produce low-cost, high function electronic systems on user-friendly flexible substrates that will be the backbone of tomorrow’s electronics. Efforts like this continue to show the technology leadership and business opportunities available in New York State.”

Mike Ciesinski, President, USDC
“Over the last two decades, consumers have developed an understanding of the value that information and entertainment can bring in devices that incorporate displays such as desktop monitors, portable PCs, cell phones, PDAs, iPods, digital cameras and TVs. While displays are a very important component of electronic products, they are not the overarching purpose of the CAMM. Micro-, small area- and large- area electronics will impact the future of display, product identification and tracking, lighting and power generation industries. The vision that USDC shares with Binghamton University is to create new manufacturing methods on new platforms for consumer, industrial and military markets.”

Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)
“This new partnership will serve as a model for using research and technology to create jobs, attract top talent, boost the economy and strengthen national security. It is just the kind of spark that we need to help ignite the economy in the Southern Tier. I am proud to have supported funding for these individual projects in the past and look forward to championing them as they move forward together.”

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY 22nd)
“I am delighted that Binghamton University has been chosen to lead the microelectronics manufacturing research and development revolution. This selection is a testament to the school’s strength in science and engineering, and the extraordinary experience and talent of its administrative leadership, professors, researchers, and staff. Binghamton University is continuing to establish itself at the forefront of technological innovation, which in turn helps create jobs and spur economic development. I’ve been very pleased to bring back federal funds over the years to support Binghamton University’s research and development projects, which have helped the school position itself for initiatives such as the establishment of the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing.”

Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-New Hartford)
“This is great news for Binghamton University and for future high-tech job growth in Broome County.

I congratulate President Lois DeFleur, Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, and all the faculty and staff of Binghamton University involved in securing this major national award. As Science Committee Chairman, I know that high wage jobs in the 21 st century will be mostly in new and emerging fields of science and technology. That is why I fought for greater federal investment in cutting-edge nanotechnology research at Binghamton University and across New York State. Without these federal dollars to spur basic research and attract top talent at Binghamton University, it is unlikely that today’s announcement would have taken place. The United States Display Consortium and the entire flat-panel display industry has been a major driver of economic growth in Silicon Valley over the past decade. Now they have come to the Southern Tier. The USDC could have invested $10 million anywhere, but they picked Binghamton and Broome County because they recognize that our area has what it takes to develop the next generation of flexible displays.”

New York State Senator Thomas W. Libous, R-Binghamton
“I’ve been proud to work with Binghamton University to help secure State funding for the High Technology Commercialization Center that helped make this award a reality. Working together with top-notch organizations like USDC, we’re putting our community at the forefront of high-tech research, raising our national profile and bringing more people to our community.”

Russell W. Bessette, M.D., Executive Director of NYSTAR
“Under Governor Pataki’s leadership, the Centers for Advanced Technology continue to be a critically important component of the State’s high technology economic development efforts. This is a great success for the CAT at Binghamton University. The research performed as a result of this grant will mean jobs created and retained in the State of New York. Research in the area of flexible electronics is going to enable the creation of new companies and will help existing high technology companies grow and prosper in the State.”

Gerald Sonnenfeld, Vice President for Research, Binghamton University
“ Binghamton University is committed to fostering the develop-ment of unique projects that have the potential to change lives. The CAMM is a prime example of the exciting multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research underway on our campus, in the area of microelectronics. The CAMM will pave the way for new and exciting research, which will enable new educational opportunities for our students, and provide for economic development in the Southern Tier.”

Bahgat Sammakia, Director, Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing, Binghamton University
“This research grant from the USDC and the Army Research Laboratory will provide Binghamton University with an opportunity to perform unparalleled research in the area of flexible electronics and small-scale systems integration and packaging. Binghamton University’s partnership with Cornell and Endicott Interconnect Technologies and the New York State investment in the High Technology Commercialization Center and the Integrated Electronics Engineering Center are key to our winning this grant.”

Chris Ober Francis Bard, Professor of Materials Engineering, Cornell University
“The Cornell College of Engineering is thrilled to be partnering with Binghamton University, Endicott Interconnect Technologies (EI) and the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) on the opening of the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM). CAMM and its partnership of researchers at Cornell, Binghamton and EI will develop and implement enabling technologies and new educational approaches that will transform the semiconductor industry. Over the last five decades, society has experienced remarkable changes in the way it lives and works based substantially on developments in Si-based electronics. The semiconductor industry today is the economic engine driving much of the developed and developing world's economies. In the near future, there will be a new and equally transforming technology that develops around flexible electronics especially as we learn to produce them inexpensively and in extremely large quantities. Adding flexible form and function to electronics will affect to an unprecedented degree our view of electronics and how we, as a society, interact with intelligent and responsive systems. Electronics will no longer be seen as separate devices, but rather as an expected attribute of nearly everything produced. In order for the United States to remain competitive in this new industrial order, entirely new concepts are needed to satisfy the form, function and cost requirements of such innovative flexible electronic systems. By offering unique state-of-the-art tools for roll-to-roll manufacturing, CAMM will be pivotal in this flexible electronics revolution.

For more information, please contact:
US Display Consortium
Heidi Hoffman
84 W. Santa Clara Street, Ste. 790
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 993-8111
heidi@usdc.org

Binghamton University
Gail Glover
Phone: ( 607) 777-2174
gglover@binghamton.edu