Mycronic (Sweden)

With the consistent increase in global demand for renewable energy, microelectronics, and electric vehicles, the demand for lithium has surged drastically in recent years to ensure sustainable growth of respective sectors. Recovery of lithium particularly from seawater has emerged as a cutting-edge technology to strengthen lithium resources. Since the innovation of two-dimensional (2D) materials, 2D materials-driven nanofiltration (NF) membranes have been on the top priority for lithium recovery, mainly due to their cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. The most phenomenal aspect associated with 2D materials nanofiltration process is that exceptional ions and water permeation phenomena have been attained. These results are achieved mainly due to the existence of a synergistic effect between controlled pore size (stacking space available between adjacent layers) and surface properties of nanopores/nanochannels developed in membranes. In this review report, we have outlined and discussed various 2D materials including graphene, graphene oxide (GO), MXene (Ti 3 C 2 X), hexagonal-boron nitride (h-BN), metal–organic framework, metal covalent framework, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) deployed for construction of nanofiltration membranes along with their attained monovalent metal ions rejection outcomes, Li + ions in particular. Various strategies (i.e., defect engineering, cation regulations, and modification of surface functional groups) have been explained in detail in order to create nanopores into nanosheets and to tune the interlayer spacing of 2D nanofiltration membranes. Moreover, 2D materials composite nanofiltration membranes with improved metal ion rejection rates, hydrophobicity, enhanced structural integrity in varied pH solutions, and non-swelling characteristics have also been discussed. Finally, to promote the development of 2D materials-driven nanofiltration membranes with further enhanced lithium-ion recovery rates, rational design of membrane structures, relevant challenges, and future perspectives are insightfully addressed.

Stretchable electronics is a new innovation and becoming popular in various fields, especially in the healthcare sector. Since stretchable electronics use less printed circuit boards (PCBs), it is expected that the environmental performance of a stretchable electronics-based device is better than a rigid electronics-based device that provides the same functionalities. Yet, such a study is rarely available. Thus, the main purpose of this research is to perform a comparative life cycle analysis of stretchable and rigid electronics-based devices. This research combines both the case study approach and the research review approach. For the case study, a cardiac monitoring device with both stretchable and rigid electronics is used. The ISO 14044:2006 standard's prescribed LCA approach and ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (Hierarchist) are followed for the impact assessment using the SimaPro 9.1 software. The LCA results show that the stretchable cardiac monitoring device has better environmental performance in all eighteen impact categories. This research also shows that the manufacturing process of stretchable electronics has lower environmental impacts than those for rigid electronics. The main reasons for the improved environmental performance of stretchable electronics are lower consumption of raw material as well as decreased energy consumption during manufacturing. Based on the LCA results of a cardiac monitoring device, the study concludes that stretchable electronics and their manufacturing process have better environmental performance in comparison with the rigid electronics and their manufacturing process.

The race to 800 PPI and higher in mobile devices and the transition to OLED displays are driving a dramatic development of mask quality: resolution, CDU, registration, and complexity. 2D metrology for large area masks is necessary and must follow the roadmap. Driving forces in the market place point to continued development of even more dense displays. State-of-the-art metrology has proven itself capable of overlay below 40 nm and registration below 65 nm for G6 masks. Future developments include incoming and recurrent measurements of pellicalized masks at the panel maker's factory site. Standardization of coordinate systems across supplier networks is feasible. This will enable better yield and production economy for both mask and panel maker. Better distortion correction methods will give better registration on the panels and relax the flatness requirements of the mask blanks. If panels are measured together with masks and the results are used to characterize the aligners, further quality and yield improvements are possible. Possible future developments include in-cell metrology and integration with other instruments in the same platform.

Large-field projection lithography for FPDs has developed gradually since the 90s. The LCD screen technology has remained largely unchanged and incremental development has given us better image quality, larger screen sizes, and above all lower cost per area. Recently new types of mobile devices with very high pixel density and/or OLED displays have given rise to dramatically higher requirem ents on photomask technology. Devices with 600 ppi or m ore need lithography with higher optical resolution and better linewidth control. OLED di splays pose new challenges with high sensitivity to transistor parameters and to capacitive cross-talk. New mask requirements leads to new maskwriter requirements and Mycronic has developed a new generation of large -area mask writers with significantly improved properties. This paper discusses and shows data for the improved writers. Mask production to high er quality stan dards also need metrology to verify the quality and Mycronic has introduced a 2D metrology tool with accuracy adequate for current and future masks. New printing or additive methods of producing disp lays on plastic or metal foil will make low-cost disp lays available. This inexpensive type of disp lays will exist side by side with the photographic quality displays of TVs and mobile devices, which will continue to be a challenge in terms of mask and production quality.