NanoMAX Getters: Enhancing the Long-Term Reliability of Electronic Products

Abstract

Packaging materials commonly used in electronic devices—such as polymers, epoxies, adhesives, metals, ceramics, and glasses—can emit both gases and particulate matter during their operational lifecycle, presenting significant challenges to the reliability of electronic systems. Gaseous emissions include H₂, N₂, O₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Polar gases can interact with reactive materials, leading to corrosion, while non-polar gases, including CO 2 , O 2, and H₂, may condense on sensitive surfaces, impairing optical and electronic performance. Outgassed organic compounds, such as toluene, benzene, acetone, and alcohols, can form films or deposits, causing insulation breakdown, contamination, or reduced heat dissipation.

Packaging materials can also release particulate matter due to mechanical wear, chemical reactions, or the condensation of outgassed molecules into solid particles. These emissions include electrically charged particles, magnetic particles, dielectric particles, fine dust, and even microbial contaminants. Dielectric particles are often the byproduct of degraded polymers or ceramics, and fine dust may include silica, polymer fragments, or inorganic debris from encapsulants or conformal coatings. Particles can contaminate optical components, obstruct MEMS devices, reduce thermal dissipation, and interfere with sensitive electronic systems.

Despite significant advancements there is a growing need for next-generation getter technologies to comprehensively address the broad spectrum of emissions from electronic packaging. By developing innovative getters that provide multi-functional capabilities, the reliability and operational lifespan of electronic systems can be significantly enhanced, ensuring robust performance even in the most demanding environments. This white paper has demonstrated a line of NanoFEA getter products with different functionalities.

Hierarchical Porous Nanostructured Composite-Based Getter for Scavenging Diverse Outgassed Species in Electronic Packages

Abstract

Hierarchical porous nanostructured composite-based getters exhibit high adsorption capacity without requiring activation, thanks to their unique combination of pores at different size scales (macro, meso, and micro pores). This getter material’s high structural stability allows for long-term adsorption performance without degradation, even in challenging environments. The composite based getter can also be designed for high selectivity towards specific high-concern gases (e.g., CO₂, H₂O, H 2 , CO, N 2 , and O 2 ), further enhancing its effectiveness without the need for doping any PdO, ZrO 2 , and other metal oxide particles. Additionally, the multi-gas adsorption performance of these getters can be utilized in environments where emissions of multiple gases (H₂O, CO₂, CO, H₂, O₂, and N₂) are a significant concern for long-term operational reliability.

The adsorption capacities of NanoFEA’s getter, as demonstrated in this white paper, have shown its multi-functional performance and effectiveness in scavenging outgassed species from microelectronic and electronic packages, vacuum systems, and instruments. Their unique structural advantages, combined with their ability to operate under ambient conditions and versatility in adsorbing multiple gas species, make them a superior choice for simultaneous multi-gas adsorption in electronic packages without the need for multiple getters. This approach addresses the limitations of current getter technologies, offering a more efficient and reliable solution for managing outgassed emissions in electronic packaging materials.

Enhancing Reliability of Power Electronics and Microelectronics Packages Through Thermal Managements

Abstract

Despite advancements in electronics packaging, effective heat dissipation remains crucial for preventing failures due to high temperatures, especially in high-power microelectronics. Managing heat involves using heat spreaders, heatsinks, and thermal materials carefully to reduce resistance and stress while efficiently dissipating heat. Diamond-metal composites, embedding diamond particles in Cu, Al, or Ag, show excellent thermal conductivity (>400 W/m·K), low thermal resistance, reduced stress, and fast heat spreading compared to traditional materials like Cu and Al. These composites can handle temperatures exceeding 125°C, making them suitable for power electronics and high-density microchip packaging.

High-Capacity Hydrogen Getters for Addressing Industrial Outgassing and Scavenging Challenges

Abstract

Nano- and micro-particle-based hydrogen getters mark a significant advancement in hydrogen management by utilizing the high surface-to-volume ratios of nano- and micro-structured materials to enhance hydrogen permeation and absorption. NanoFEA’s nanomaterial-based getters combine high absorption rates with exceptional mechanical stability and durability, making them ideal for long-term use in challenging environments without requiring thermal activation or regeneration. Their efficient hydrogen absorption at low temperatures makes them particularly suitable for cryogenic environments such as LNG vessels, while their structural stability at high temperatures ensures reliable performance in demanding applications, including nuclear reactors, fuel cell automobiles, and space missions.

Microelectronics Package Outgassing Induced Failure Modes and Getter Technology

Abstract

In the field of electronics packaging, maintaining a delicate balance between performance and longevity is critical. Outgassed hydrogen, moisture, and other volatile organic compounds from packaging materials pose significant risks to sensitive components, potentially leading to malfunctions, reduced lifespan, and even catastrophic failures. To address these challenges, the integration of getters has become a vital strategy, offering a proactive approach to mitigating outgassing and its adverse effects. This review by NanoFEA provides a general overview of the failure modes induced by outgassing, existing getter materials, technologies, associated challenges, and potential future solutions.

NanoMAX Getters for Ensuring Implantable Medical Devices Long-Term Reliability

Abstract

Implantable and physiological medical devices—such as pacemakers, neurostimulators, and biosensors—are indispensable tools in modern medicine. These systems must operate reliably for extended periods under complex physiological conditions. However, their long-term performance can be significantly affected by outgassing from packaging materials. As devices become increasingly miniaturized and sophisticated, effectively managing chemical and biological contamination within hermetically or semi-hermetically sealed enclosures becomes more critical.

Getter technologies offer a particularly practical and cost-effective solution. A getter is a material inserted into the device enclosure that passively adsorbs or chemically binds unwanted gases. However, most commercial getters today are single-functional, targeting either moisture or hydrogen, while dual-functional, such as H 2 O/H 2 , at best but with limited VOC or oxygen capture capability. Metal oxide-based getters, which require high-temperature activation, make them unsuitable for many medical applications. Moreover, no current getter material addresses biological contaminants, leaving devices vulnerable to microbial degradation.

The gap in functionality means that current getter technologies are difficult to fully protect next-generation medical devices from the combined threats of chemical and biological contamination. To bridge this gap, next-generation getter materials must be capable of addressing a broader spectrum of contaminants—chemical and biological—within the size and temperature constraints of medical devices. This white paper will focus on the reliability issues occurred in medical devices and propose getter solutions for different medical devices.

Broad-Spectrum HC/VOC Getter for Emission Control in Electronics

US Patent Application Publication# 2025/0073666 A1
Mar. 6, 2025

Abstract

Getters for hydrocarbons (HCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) designed for microelectronic and electronic packages are disclosed. These getters feature a hierarchical porous nanostructured polymer composite layer supported by a substrate. The composite layer integrates hydrophilic microporous nanoparticles and hydrophobic mesoporous nanoparticles, enabling the modulation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. This tailored structure facilitates the effective absorption of a broad spectrum of polar and non-polar HCs and VOCs, for enhancing the reliability and performance of electronic packages by controlling outgassed emissions.

Multi-Gas Getters

US Patent Application Publication# 2025/0091030 A1
Mar. 20, 2025

Abstract

This disclosure presents multi-phase hierarchical porous nanostructure-based polymer composites and associated getter assemblies designed for scavenging multi-gas and organic compounds outgassed from electronic packages, devices, and modules. The composites integrate hydrophilic microporous, hydrophobic microporous, and hydrophobic mesoporous nanoparticles within a polymer matrix to form binary, ternary, or quaternary multi-phase structures. These polymer composites are utilized to fabricate getter assemblies featuring single-layer, bi-layer, or multi-layer configurations on a substrate. The assemblies are tailored to selectively target specific polar and non-polar gases and organic compounds or to adsorb a broad spectrum of
outgassed emissions, irrespective of their polarity, molecular size, or surface energy characteristics.