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Wired 9.10: Electric Word

This vacuum-sealed oven in Edmonton, Alberta, is a glorified nano box spring factory. Its electron beam evaporation system heats a source - often zirconia or silicon oxide - until it emits atoms that accumulate on a silicon wafer and form tendrils. Electrical engineer Michael Brett then moves the wafer to shape the growths into coils, columns, or zigzags. Brett, in collaboration with Dutch electronics giant Philips, has devised a way to insert liquid crystal between micrometer-long springs to produce more efficient flat-panel displays. Other apps include precise humidity sensors and ultrathin insulators for machine parts. At the University of Alberta's new fabrication plant, Brett recently began imprinting the wafers with a microscopic pattern of dots, forcing the springs to form in a regular array. This technique could open the door to new types of photonic crystals that
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Semiconductor Equipment Repair Services
Semiconductor equipment repair services repair, rebuild and refurbish equipment related to the manufacture and processing of semiconductors.
Preload Springs, Spacers, and Washers

Preload springs, spacers, and washers are meant to maintain tension in an assembly where some slack may be present. Their capabilities can eliminate rattle, compensate for expansion or contraction of the assembly materials, or absorb intermittent shock loads. These products are made of elastic deformable materials, most commonly convoluted ductile, high-strength metal alloys which come in machined, welded, and open-ring varieties.

Ceramic Insulation and Textiles
Ceramic insulation and textiles are fibrous refractories or thermal insulation products that consist of ceramic fibers in bulk, cloth, batting, paper or rope forms.
MEMS Processing Equipment
MEMS processing equipment is used to create micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors and wafers.
Dielectric Ceramics and Substrates
Dielectric ceramics and substrates are electrical insulators with dielectric strength, dielectric constant and loss tangent values tailored for specific device applications.
Product Announcements
XOMOX (A Crane Co. Company) - Lined Wafer Swing Check Valves (Fig 070)
Fully Lined wafer swing check valves are ideal for use in totally lined piping systems or to replace costly high alloy valves in corrosion applications. The valve can be mounted horizontally or... (read more)
PremaTech Advanced Ceramics - Semiconductor Components
PremaTech has been a fabricator of high purity ceramic components for semiconductor processing equipment for many years. We produce towers, liners, and injectors, plus custom components, to precision... (read more)
Anchor Lamina America, Inc. - Die Springs
Anchor Danly supplies a wide selection of die springs, compression springs, utility springs and spring alternatives for use within your die, mold, tools, and fixtures. (read more)
Insaco, Inc. - Ceramic Machining
Insaco is a custom fabricator of ceramic, glass, sapphire, and other hard materials, we specialize in machining parts that often require tolerances measured in millionths of an inch, and wear... (read more)
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks are due to Jim Brett and Neil Allen for their support through most of the work. Ken Williams would like to also thank Steve Stagoski and Dave Rettew for their continued...