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SnapFib: An easy build Arduino based tabletop prototype for thin film deposition by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption
Ashoke Kumar Sen Gupta1, Abu Adnan1, Shantanu Bhattacharjee1
1Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Renewable Energy Laboratory, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Chattogram 4349, Bangladesh.
Researchers developed SnapFib, a low-cost automated system for thin-film deposition using the Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) method. This accessible prototype enables precise control over film properties with minimal human intervention, making advanced deposition techniques more affordable.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Non-vacuum thin-film deposition techniques offer precise stoichiometric control.
- The Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) method is an aqueous-based, room-temperature technique with advantages in controlling elemental composition and stoichiometry.
- Manual control of SILAR parameters is complex and time-consuming, necessitating automated solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective, automated tabletop prototype machine for SILAR thin-film deposition.
- To create an easily buildable system that maintains SILAR process properties with minimal human intervention.
- To provide an affordable and accessible tool for researchers and students in thin-film deposition.
Main Methods:
- The SnapFib prototype was constructed using linear actuators, an ATmega328P microcontroller (Arduino IDE), and readily available laboratory parts.
- Firmware was developed and implemented on the microcontroller to manage all functional features and control parameters.
- Thin films were deposited on soda-lime glass substrates using the automated SILAR method.
Main Results:
- The SnapFib prototype was successfully built at a cost of approximately 600 USD.
- Characterization using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) validated the quality of deposited thin films.
- The system operates with minimal human intervention, demonstrating effective automation of the SILAR process.
Conclusions:
- SnapFib offers a practical, affordable, and automated solution for SILAR thin-film deposition.
- The open-source nature (CC-BY license) of SnapFib encourages widespread adoption, modification, and validation by the research community.
- This development lowers the barrier to entry for advanced thin-film deposition research and education.
