(CNA reporter Lu Kang-chun, Hsinchu, June 11) — Professor Ming-Tsang Lee from the Department of Power Mechanical Engineering at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) has led a team in developing an innovative coating technology that operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, even on curved surfaces. This breakthrough shortens manufacturing processes, reduces material costs, and cuts energy consumption and carbon emissions—offering fresh momentum for achieving low-carbon, net-zero semiconductor manufacturing.

NTHU recently announced the achievement on its official Facebook page. Professor Lee explained that the "Laser-Based Low-Carbon Manufacturing Technology" couples laser processing with highly reactive ionized fluid, enabling patterned coatings to be completed in a single step under ambient conditions. The process can produce fine and diverse circuits made of metallic and optoelectronic materials.

Professor Lee recalled his earlier research experience in the U.S. on laser sintering (turning nanoparticles into 3D structures), where it took a team of three working in shifts without sleep just to prepare the materials. Now, this new technique can fabricate micron-scale metallic structures in a single step—much like 3D printing.

The technology was co-developed with National Taiwan University and the National Applied Research Laboratories’ Instrument Technology Research Center. According to Lee, major semiconductor companies in Taiwan have already expressed interest. The team’s next goal is to develop “electronics on skin” technology, which could enable applications in precision medicine and turn science-fiction concepts—such as transparent displays and temperature-sensitive optical lenses—into reality.

Doctoral student Yu-Hsun Huang from NTHU, who participated in the research, noted that while this new method cannot yet replace high-volume production equipment used in mature semiconductor processes, its strength lies in its high degree of customization.

(Editing by Lin Shu-hui)