Challenges and trends impacting the Semiconductor Tech space:
• With the push into quantum computing and the gaining legitimacy of cryptocurrency, we do not see an end of overclocking silicon for maximum performance requiring sophisticated cooling solutions that result in the lowest TCO (total cost of ownership) for data center deployment.
• Double digit growth in Automotive Silicon includes safety (ADAS) and Luxury Comfort such as AVP (Automated Valet Parking) resulting in liquid cold plates that are sandwiched between two PCB’s of electronics.
• Chip shortages are well documented, but continued trends to larger diameter wafers will continue to allow for more die per wafer and offer some relief in supply. Increasing wafer size requires a chiller and larger liquid cold plates though.
• Sustainability initiatives with respect to Semi-Fabs are leading to renewable energy sources and improved COP (Coefficient of Performance) of the products used within them, leading to liquid cooling systems with the best metrics.
Major predicaments in the Semiconductor Tech space: What keeps you up at night?
• Across all areas of Semi-Tech, we see the rapid increase of heat in all key processes adding up to a point where there is a rethinking of cooling strategy.
• Typically, aluminum is the wetted chemistry for many of the front-end systems while both aluminum and copper are used in back end systems.
• Where there are vacuum processes, small increases in heat become critical in those environments.
• Boyd adds expertise in understanding the technology options where there are tradeoffs on performance and reliability while maintaining the highest quality levels.
