Tamper Resistant Coating Development

"Current thermal spray ceramic tamper-resistant coatings (TRCs) for electronic components are expensive, unreliable and can cause significant thermal damage to underlying circuitry during application at high temperatures. Foster-Miller proposes to developa secure and reliable, environmentally-compliant tamper-resistant coating that is sprayable without using VOCs and cures at low temperatures in air to a hard, tough, adherent coating. The proposed coating is opaque to light, x-rays and infrared radiation.It bonds strongly to both electronic components and substrate and is so durable that removal of the cured coating via chemical or mechanical means obliterates all evidence of underlying interconnects, traces and dies. In Phase I, we will formulate thecoating, prepare coated electronic component test specimens and demonstrate their resistance to tampering. In Phase II, we will refine and scale-up the TRC and conduct tests using coated electronic components leading to early commercialization. (P-020173) A tamper-proof zero VOC coating for electronic components, will be welcomed by both the military and commercial sectors for its security and reliability. Commercial applications include system from pay-TV, digital entertainment, individual computerchips, information system and financial institutions."