Images of Research: Forging sustainable futures

Eradicating the purple plague

Category: Prosperous world

Magnified image of a purple compound that degrades gold and aluminium circuitry

This is a magnified image of “purple plague”, caused by high temperatures in circuit boards, where gold wires are in contact with aluminium pads. By studying how these compounds – which can cause component failure over time – are generated, we aim to prevent their formation, benefitting business and consumer, by extending the life of electronic components and devices.

Entrant: James Kelly , Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering

Copyright: James Kelly

Links

Entrant profile: https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/james-kelly