The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has disclosed that an "efficient and low-cost" superconductor thin film fabrication method has been developed by researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP)- National Institute of Physics (NIP).
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña described the UP-NIP’s development of an efficient and low-cost non-vacuum fabrication method of superconducting thin films as a "big step in initiating superconductor technology in the Philippines.”
He said it would boost the country’s capability in harnessing high temperature superconductors technology.
De la Peña said the three-year project, which started in March 2017 and completed in July 2020, was funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The funding grant amounted to P21 million.
“The researchers, led by Dr. Roland V. Sarmago, used sedimentation deposition using a melt flux, a new method of film fabrication technology that is an alternative to the widely used Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) to aid the fabrication of superconducting devices such as Josephson Junction, Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, and Terahertz devices of which thin film is a prerequisite,” he said in a report.
He explained that currently, chemical and vacuum methods of film fabrication fail to fully meet the industry requirements on film size and quality.
"Compared to other methods, the researchers said this new technique is simple, does not use vacuum, utilizes relatively safe reagents, can be expanded for large scale production, and has a developed protocol based on previous studies of the research group,” de la Peña said.
DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit welcomed UP’s innovation as a development in the country’s electronics sector as it "provides an efficient and cost-effective way to fabricate films that are used in developing electronic devices.”
"We are optimistic that this can revolutionize the electronics industry and help us rebound economically,” he said.