Masters Thesis Possibilities

1. Masters Thesis Possibilities Nicholas Clore August 10, 2010 Tin Whiskers in Humidity Controlled Environment

2. Thesis Topic: Growth of Tin Whiskers in a Controlled Humidity Environment • High temperature/high humidity storage(55 – 65 °C / 85 – 93 %RH) has been shown to accelerate whisker growth • Most research focuses on: • High temp/low humidity (65 °C/30%RH) • Room temp/low humidity (25 °C/30%RH) • Room temp/high humidity (25 °C/85%RH) • High temp/high humidity (65 °C/85%RH)

3. Thesis Topic: Growth of Tin Whiskers in a Controlled Humidity Environment • Although it has been seen that high humidity promotes whisker growth, the mechanics and science is not well understood. • The proposed thesis topic would investigate the affects of humidity on Tin samples and their whisker growth.

4. Master’s Thesis Options

5. Cisco/Forestie • Samples would be prepared and cycled/stored by Cisco/Foresite. • Thesis would be based on whisker analysis. • Timeline? Finish Thesis by June, 2011? Sept, 2011?

6. Use Temperature/Humidity Controlled Furnace • Temp/Humidity controlled furnace would save time on sample prep and increase reliability. • Could rent/buy one for Cincinnati Sub-Zero • Borrow one from Crane? • Temperature Range: -73°C to 190°C • Humidity Range: 10% to 95% RH Cincinnati Sub-Zero Bench top model

7. Impermeable Bag/Sealed Polymer Box • Would store samples in impermeable bags or polymer box for heat treatment at Purdue-Calumet. • Bag/box would include hydrated salt to control humidity

8. Using Saturated Salts to Control Humidity • Accurate humidity at set temperatures. • Wide range of achievable humidity and various temperatures. • Will not work well with temperature cycling. • Possible “salt creep” on to samples.

9. Using Saturated Salts to Control Humidity Table from Omega – Table is not inclusive

10. Quantomix WETSEM • Store sample in enclosed SEM stage with set humidity using salt. • Real-time photos with heat cycling using SEM.

11. Master’s Thesis Options