PSU graduate invents chemical for Intel

Nabil Mistkawi has made quite a name for himself. Although he graduated from Portland State last spring with a Ph.D. in chemistry, he has a secure job as a process engineer for Intel, and has already accomplished that which many students only dream about.

Recently, Mistwaki was recognized as the inventor of a chemical formulation that easily prepares sub-50 nanometer (nm) process technology for advanced microprocessors manufacturing.

Essentially, the new chemical formulation strips away unnecessary metal materials from the microprocessor—the central processing units of personal computers—while leaving important copper wiring and insulators untouched.

These microprocessors are as vital to the functioning of personal computers as the brain is to the human body, according to a Portland State Magazine article. In addition, microprocessors can consist of more than 10 layers of different materials.

Mistkawi’s invention allows this process to take place quicker than before, and produces less harmful byproducts in the process.

The solution is reportedly 98 percent water and contains less fluoride than a tube of toothpaste. While the lack of harsh chemical makeup might imply that this formulation is slow working, it is much speedier than the previous process.

In fact, Portland State Magazine reports that Mistkawi’s “wet-etching” method can take as little as two minutes to complete.

“It was nice to incorporate a green chemistry approach, but ultimately the process had to be robust enough through its performance,” Mistkawi said in the article.

Not only is this chemical formulation more environmentally friendly than earlier options, it is expected to save Intel tens of millions of dollars every year, according to the article. Prior to Mistkawi’s invention, other toxic solvents were used in the process that were considered damaging to environmental and human health, and therefore required many rigorous procedures for use.

These concerns pushed Intel to find a less harmful procedure. The task was given to outside chemical companies and academic research labs. However, a year passed with no feasible results. Some companies even claimed it was an impossible feat.

When the problem was brought to Mistkawi, it only took him three days to propose his cheaper, faster and less destructive option.

Needless to say, the idea took off.

“It’s one thing to make it work in a test tube and beaker. It’s quite another to do so at 8,000 gallons each week,” said Shankar Rananavare, research associate professor of chemistry at PSU, in Portland State Magazine.

This discovery led to Mistkawi receiving Intel’s Gold Award. This award is given each year to groups or individuals that work to create solutions that are both financially and environmentally responsible.

Ranavare describes Mistkawi as a “hard-working, helpful and diligent” student. He has worked as a faculty advisor with Mistkawi for seven years and continues to keep in touch with him.

“I could not be more happy [for him],” Rananavare said. “He deserves it and more.”

According to Rananavare, Mistkawi is hardly keeping all the glory for himself.

“[He has] found many appropriate job openings at Intel for PSU students and helped them get their foot in the door,” Rananavare said.