Research Plans

ADVANCED RESEARCH IN ELECTRONICS ASSEMBLY 

 2025 Research Plan

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Advanced Research in Electronics Assembly (AREA) Consortium executes manufacturing relevant research to provide an understanding of emerging technologies in materials, reliability, and electronic assembly process for consortium Principals. Research ranges from scientific investigations on fundamental material behaviors to engineering topics directly applicable to manufacturing challenges.  In every case, the objective is to provide the Principals with meaningful results that enable sustainable packaging and assembly process improvements, maximization of yields and enhanced product reliability.

The AREA Consortium appreciates that our Principals often encounter resource constraints that limit internal research activities critical to their product needs. They are therefore encouraged to view the consortium research staff as an extension of their own engineering team, devoting critical research time and physical resources to emerging topics of interest. To support the efforts of providing Principals with the most up-to-date information, including project milestones and timely research results, a consortium website (http://www.apl-uic.com/) will be maintained with on-demand content.

The AREA Consortium research plan is Principal driven, consortium manager prioritized, and consortium staff executed. Research is based on current and near-term future needs of the electronics manufacturing industry. The research plan is updated annually so that topics remain relevant and pragmatic. The consortium manager and staff define the research plan in close partnership with the Principals. Longer term reliability evaluation projects may extend into subsequent plan years as needed to complete testing.

The 2025 research plan topics outlined in this document have been categorized into three key thrusts: material evaluation, reliability testing, and assembly process development. The manager and staff will execute the research plan carefully using the resources and facilities of the Advanced Process Laboratory at Universal Instruments along with adjunct university capabilities and faculty expertise as needed. Throughout the year, additional projects may be added as our research interests evolve, lab capabilities develop, and new materials become available.

Consortium Deliverables

The charter of the AREA Consortium is to perform member company inspired research and convey the body of knowledge acquired directly to the Principals in a practical and timely manner. This is done by providing information in various formats and means of transfer including technical seminars, accessible databases, written reports, process recommendations, as well as design guidelines and testing protocols.

Results Reporting

The AREA manager will provide access to key experimental data and the final project reports via the protected consortium website (http://www.apl-uic.com/).  Regular consortium meetings will be held in the greater Binghamton area for the purpose of scientific/technical discussion. Presentations made at these meetings will be accessible on-line to Principal companies shortly thereafter. The AREA Manager and staff will inform Principals on specific technical issues, experimental results, and general project status. Principals are encouraged to contact and visit the Advanced Process Laboratory for more effective communication and knowledge transfer. Projects may require the staff to solicit the involvement of suppliers as limited project participants but limit their access to knowledge generated on their products.