Initially, the primary concern raised by vaporization of polymer scaffolding was that polymer-vapor residue might interfere with the bonding of the thermoelectric legs to the metal pads on the ceramic substrates. In an experiment to investigate the likelihood of such interference, a mockup comprising two molybdenum legs separated by a PAMS sheet in contact with a titanium plate was placed under uniaxial pressure and heated to a temperature of 950 °C in a partial vacuum of 10–6 torr. Strong, uniform bonds were made between the molybdenum legs and the titanium plate, demonstrating that the PAMS vapor did not interfere with bonding.

This work was done by Jeffrey Sakamoto, Shiao-pin Yen, Jean-Pierre Fleurial, and Jong- Ah Paik of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/ tsp under the Materials category.

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to:

.Innovative Technology Assets Management JPL Mail Stop 202-233 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 (818) 354-2240 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Refer to NPO-41248 volume and number of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number.

This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).

Vaporizable Scaffolds for Fabricating Thermoelectric Modules (reference NPO-41248) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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