Doctoral Student Unravels 'Tin Whisker' Mystery
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 - 17:40
in Physics & Chemistry
A University of South Carolina doctoral student has discovered how and why tin whiskers grow. These hair-like fibers of metal grow out of the tin used as solder and coating on many electronic circuits. The presence of these whiskers can cause short-circuits since they act as bridges to conduct electricity to closely-spaced parts, a problem expected to become more prevalent as devices are designed smaller and smaller.