New Technologies and Innovation Development in Russia #2

Scientists of Novosibirsk State University (NSU) have developed a simpler and more economical technology for the production of carbido-silicon fibers used in composites for aviation and astronautics compared to Western analogues. The new method was proposed by employees of the Laboratory for the Synthesis of Functional Materials of the Faculty of Physics of NSU, the press service of the university reported.

In aerospace engineering of the new generation, structural materials are used that combine low density and high strength characteristics at elevated operating temperatures. To achieve these properties, fibrous composite materials based on heat-resistant titanium alloys and ceramic matrices reinforced with silicon carbide fibers are used. A large range of reinforcing fibers is actively developed and manufactured on an industrial scale by a number of companies in the USA and the UK.

"Foreign production methods require large time costs and monetary investments: the cost of the final product exceeds several thousand dollars per pound. In addition, foreign fibers are prohibited for export to Russia, which makes it difficult to create composites based on them. Our technology allows us to obtain high-quality carbido-silicon fiber for cosmonautics and aviation in a short time and at a lower cost," said Evgeny Galashov, project manager, employee of the Department of Applied Physics of the Faculty of Physics of NSU.

The new approach is based on the chemical reaction of the formation of silicon carbide on the surface of a continuous carbon filament immersed in a molten silicon solution. Carbon fiber coils are immersed in a vacuum reactor, after which the carbon fiber filament is stretched through fusible eutectic solutions-melts with a high silicon content at a temperature of 350-450 ° C in an inert atmosphere.

Perm Polytechnic University has developed a methodology that allows designing parts with a complex internal structure, including those consisting of several materials with different characteristics, for which the shape and internal structure are developed for specific production conditions. This was reported by the press service of the Perm National Research Polytechnic University.

The researchers published the results of their work in the journal Russian Engineering Research. The development was implemented according to the state task of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.

"Using mathematical algorithms, parts and structures were optimized in such a way that the products were lighter, stronger and more reliable than analogues. The development can be used in the production of domestic aircraft and cars and in the field of heavy engineering," polytech experts believe.

According to scientists, modern 3D printing capabilities allow you to create parts with the structure and properties of materials that change in the volume of the product. It is also possible to obtain structures with a cellular structure that will provide unique material properties. Most often, one metal is used for this. Perm Polytechnic University has proposed a methodology that will help create effective products simultaneously from several materials. It will automate the technological process of their design and production.

"Two materials in the same design can have different elasticity, strength and weight. Therefore, it is important to create a rational structure that will effectively withstand the loads. To do this, scientists of Perm Polytechnic University used multimaterial topological optimization algorithms. The design methodology also made it possible to identify areas suitable for the formation of a cellular structure, while part of the part is filled with solid material, and the other part with cells," the vuZe said.

Scientists have analyzed the mechanical behavior of cellular structures of various types and identified possible limitations in the manufacture of products using additive manufacturing methods. The researchers confirmed the effectiveness of the use of cells in complex structures. The results of the work will allow you to create materials with the required mechanical properties and optimize products for the necessary parameters.

Scientists of the Institute of Physics and Technology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences create megapixel infrared arrays, a component base for radiophoton communication systems, and the most important components of navigation systems ― semiconductor lasers for miniature quantum frequency standards.

"One of the achievements of the Institute is the creation of a 2000-by-2000-element megapixel photosensitive matrix. This work was carried out in the interests of the state corporation “Roscosmos”. The matrix is sensitive in the infrared range and is designed for environmental monitoring of the Earth's surface, fire detection, geological exploration, and deep space observations, " said Alexander Milekhin, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Deputy Director for Research at the Institute of Physics and Technology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The Institute of Physics and Technology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences has extensive experience in developing and using the method of molecular beam epitaxy, which makes it possible to grow thin semiconductor films, layer by layer, with constant thickness control, up to nanometers. The technology of growing semiconductor structures based on telluride-cadmium-mercury is a flagship for the Institute. In this area, IFP is a leader in Russia.

lancelot wrote:The MIC has no need for 28nm so far. The 28nm would be for civilian government applications like desktops or servers.

The Chinese have a viable tool chain for everything in 28nm except the lithography tools.
Their lithography tools are still stuck at 65nm with so called dry ArF light source.

lancelot wrote:Well, it is a bad idea. I do not mean having a plan B. That is a good idea. But not using Chinese tools is a bad idea. It will mean the industry will be delayed more than should be necessary. Fact is they could make a pilot 65/45nm fab with 300mm wafers right now with the Chinese tools. And once the Chinese 28nm lithography with immersion ArF becomes available they could change the lithography tools so it can do 28nm. By the time the Russian KrF tools come out to do 90nm/65nm, the Chinese might be doing 7nm or 5nm with their own tools.

Once China gets its own native production line operational Russia should license the manufacturing processes and move their designs to be producible in that line. Then they should make their own small scale replica of it in Russia. Russia should start buying the Chinese equipment as soon as possible. They could get the 300mm production line out of Crocus and add Chinese tools to it to convert it to full production.

Russia needs to move their chip designs from TSMC 28nm process to this said licensed Chinese 28nm process. It was a mistake to depend on TSMC in the first place, but that is water under the bridge now. They need to do a review of all chip designs and figure out which they need and can make at Mikron or Angstrem-T at 90nm, and which they could make with the Chinese 28nm process and port those over.