Materials foresight on the electronics industry PDF

BACKGROUND

This report is one of a series of Institute of Materials Reports which aim to provide strategic views on issues which affect materials users, their suppliers and the research community. The report was initiated by the Office of Science & Technology (OST) Materials Foresight Panel and has been supported by the Institution of Electrical Engineers. The report aims to cover all aspects of materials technology associated with the electronics industry.

The broad terms of reference were to:

• identify the major markets and market influences in the electronics sector over the short, medium (5-10 years) and longer term;

• develop a materials and process strategy to address the research needs and the business opportunities identified.

In addition, the Defence and Aerospace Panel of OST requested a review of electronic materials specifically for defence and aerospace applications. That report has been published separately 1 but for completeness much of the information is summarised here. The format of both electronics reports has been kept similar.

Electronics is the world's fasting growing manufacturing technology and the implications for UK industry are profound. A Focus Group of the Foresight Manufacturing, Production and Business Processes Panel has addressed manufacturing trends within the UK electronics industryz and a draft of that report was available during the preparation of this document.

Members of the current Working Party and other external contributors are listed in Appendix A. Thanks are due to the many participants for their commitment during discussions, in preparing the text and for the patience shown educating the Secretariat into the complexities of electronic materials during the protracted compilation of this report. The pervasiveness of electrics and the criticality of the associated electronic materials and process development are confirmed. This is a global industry in which the UK can, and must, make a significant contribution.