A team of MSU professors are trying to make a small but significant change in the way automakers build cars.
Mani Subramanian, an MSU professor of material science and mechanics, is involved in a group research project to develop a new type of soldering for circuit boards in automobiles without the use of lead, an environmentally damaging product.
“We are famous for our composite solders,” he said. “And our research will lead to more reliable lead-free electronic solders.”
Lead-based products are commonly used in circuitry to bond different materials together because they are readily available, cheap and easy to work with.
However, they have been labeled dangerous to the environment as far back as the 1970s, Subramanian said. The movement to stop using the element began with automakers in Europe and has spread around the world.
“Our group has developed compatible soldering reinforcements with a new technique,” he said. “It’s a very, very challenging field, but I’m glad to get involved with anything that’s going to help the economy and the environment in Michigan.”
The technique, known as “in-situ”, is a Greek phrase meaning “introduce from within” and has led researchers to a breakthrough in this field, said Tom Bieler, an associate professor of material science.
Bieler has worked with Subramanian on the project since it began in 1995.
“When our work is complete we will be able to recommend solders that will improve the reliability of electronic systems,” he said. “And we hope to have an impact on the people who make decisions on how these parts are manufactured.”
The new type of solder is in place of tin-lead, a tin-silver combination. These solders are used in car circuit boards which are placed under the hood close to the engine.
Silver possesses different characteristics than lead at the temperature and stress levels that car circuit boards work under, Bieler said. The in-situ technique adds to the flexibility of the new soldering combination, in order to make the silver act similar to the lead-based solder.
Therefore creating a solder that works just as well and is not harmful to the environment.
The research group is now involved with testing the new solders by recreating the process of car engines heating up and cooling down.
“By working with actual size parts and simulating driving conditions we try to evaluate what happens to these parts in real life,” Subramanian said.
“All in all, we want to be able to make your cars last longer.”
Lawrence Drzal, director of the Composite Materials and Structure Center, said the group’s research is very important and fundamental to the future of electronics.
“Not only is this a scientifically challenging project,” Drzal said. “But it is economically challenging as well.
“Professor Subramanian’s group has the expertise in material science and engineering to address both problems simultaneously.”
