LOCATION
Space Science basement, lab 20
CONTACTS
Faculty in Charge:
Rafael Verduzco (rafaelv@rice.edu)
DESCRIPTION
The portable Labcoter 2 applies conformal Parylene coatings to components such as circuit boards, sensors, wafers, medical devices, MEMS and elastomeric components for research, development and repairs. Ultrathin parylene coatings are inert and biocompatible and have excellent moisture, chemical, and dielectric barrier properties.
Parylene polymer coatings are applied via vapor deposition equipment, which allows for the precise control of coating rate and thickness. The deposition process begins as the powdered precursor (dimer) is vaporized under vacuum and heated to form a dimeric gas. The gas is then pyrolized to cleave the dimer into its monomeric form, and finally is deposited as a transparent polymer film.
The polymerization process occurs at ambient temperatures and does not involve solvents, catalysts or cure forces. Parylene coatings can be applied in thicknesses from several hundred angstroms to 75 microns.
More information about the Cleanroom can be found here.