Applied Nanotech
Holdings, Inc. (OTC BB: APNT) announced that it has been selected by the
U.S. Missile Defense Agency ("MDA") to receive an award of approximately
$500,000 for the development of non-contact methods for mitigation of tin whiskers
from electronic devices. ANI will partner with the University of Maryland's
Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering on this project.
Tin whiskers are long hair like structures that commonly grow perpendicular
to a metal surface, most commonly on the soldered surfaces and electroplated
finishes used in nearly every electronic device made. These whiskers grow over
time, causing electrical shorts and arcing that damages the equipment. The damage
is most prevalent after several years of use, particularly in the case of lead
free solder, which is becoming much more prevalent in the electronics industry.
During this eighteen month Phase II Small Business Innovation Research program,
which results from successful completion of a Phase I award, Applied Nanotech
will focus on optimizing its patented (pending) process for the mitigation of
tin whiskers. Both the MDA and NASA have reported that tin whiskers have been
the cause of more than $1 billion in catastrophic damage to satellites, missiles,
and other electronic equipment.
Current recognized mitigation techniques add cost and complexity to the manufacturing
process and have had mixed success. Our unique ability to perform tin whisker
remediation with a pulse of energy, while simultaneously preventing new whiskers
from growing, provides a distinct advantage over competitive methods.
"As the world is moving toward lead free solder, the tin whiskers issue
will become very problematic, not only for defense and aerospace applications,
but for all electronic products," said Dr. Zvi Yaniv, CEO of Applied Nanotech,
Inc.
"This improved method of remediation of tin whiskers is a direct outgrowth
of our activity in technical inks and pastes," said Doug Baker, CEO of
Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. "We continue to broaden the applicability
of our technology to generate increased revenues."