Master's graduate Uwe Ziegler awarded study prize by SEW Eurodrive Foundation

Low-temperature ceramics, so-called low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC), are a highly reliable substrate and carrier technology for microelectronic components and systems that opens up completely new fields of application compared to traditional printed circuit board materials. For example, they will play a key role in future communication systems that network sensors and drive technology in industry and everyday life. Due to their material properties, they allow the use of multilayer electronic circuits even under difficult operating conditions such as high temperatures or vibrations. They can also be used in acidic environments. However, very complex microelectronic circuits with state-of-the-art processors such as AI systems cannot be implemented on conventional LTCC substrates due to the limited structural resolution of the electrical interconnect elements.

In order to also be able to realize high-performance microelectronic systems for use in industrial environments, medicine, aviation or aerospace, Uwe Ziegler investigated technologies for structuring metals on differently pretreated LTCC substrate types using lithographic processes in his master's thesis. To this end, he first analyzed the various surface characteristics and investigated the extent to which these limit the application of specific lithographic methods. He then selected a suitable mask technology. He presented the results of his experimental work at the international conference "Ceramic Interconnect and Ceramic Microsystems Technologies Conference"(CICMT) in the USA in April 2023.

In his work, Mr. Ziegler made a very good assessment of the technological boundary conditions and identified the limiting parameters for the realization of high-resolution metallic structures.

said Prof. Jens Müller, head of the Electronics Technology Group.

He carried out his experimental work on the complex equipment at the Centre of Micro- and Nanotechnology of the TU Ilmenau very independently and thus achieved excellent results.

Uwe Ziegler was also nominated for the study award because of his high level of student commitment beyond his master's thesis: throughout his bachelor's and master's studies at the TU Ilmenau, Uwe Ziegler had actively participated in shaping university matters and was, among other things, a member of the student council for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, an elected member of the faculty council of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, a delegate of the student council to the student council, an elected member of the student council, and a voting member of the study committee of the TU Ilmenau.

Since graduating with a master's degree in electrical engineering and information technology in September 2022, Uwe Ziegler has been working at ZED Ziegler Electronic Devices Langewiesen and as a research assistant at the Electronics Technology Group, where he is pursuing a doctorate in order to address unresolved follow-up questions to his research work.

The SEWEURODRIVE Foundation promotes scientific work as well as the elaboration, deepening and further development of scientific knowledge in the field of technology and economics. The Foundation's study prize is awarded annually to master's and diploma students in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and economics. The honored students have distinguished themselves through particularly high achievements and are determined by the foundation's board of directors based on nominations. The nomination of Uwe Ziegler for the Study Award 2023 was made by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the TU Ilmenau.