Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Semiconductors & Integrated Circuits
Semiconductors Integrated Circuits
New Surface-Modifying Film for BCP Formation
WARF: P130124US01

Inventors: Padma Gopalan, Eungnak Han, Myungwoong Kim

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a polymer film that induces vertical domain formation in styrene-containing block copolymers.
Overview
Block copolymers (BCPs) self-assemble into well-defined, highly regular and dense nanostructures. Such BCP arrays are useful for fabricating electronic devices like magnetic storage media, quantum dot arrays and nanowire transistors.

For BCP arrays to be consistent and useful, it is critical to control the orientation of BCP microdomains as they take shape on a substrate. Vertical domains (i.e., those oriented perpendicularly to the substrate) are especially advantageous. Special copolymer films, called surface-modifying layers, can be used for this purpose.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed new surface-modifying layers made of crosslinked copolymer film. More specifically, the film is composed of styrene, (meth)acrylate and crosslinkable epoxy group-functionalized monomers.

Various styrene-containing BCPs can be deposited on top of the film and then subjected to conditions that cause them to self-assemble into vertically oriented domains.
Applications
  • Magnetic storage media, such as hard disk drives
  • Quantum dot arrays
  • Photonic crystals
  • Photovoltaic cells
  • Nanowire transistors
  • Other electronic devices, including integrated circuits
Key Benefits
  • Films are robust and stable.
  • Can be made from widely available and inexpensive monomers
  • Enables wider selection of substrates
  • Crosslinking can be carried out at low temperatures.
  • May eliminate the need for a wetting layer
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
For current licensing status, please contact Jeanine Burmania at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9846

WARF