Physics of Failure: Approach, Methodology, Tools and Implementation

Reliability Chapter – 6:00PM, Wednesday, 14 October

Physics of Failure: Approach, Methodology, Tools and Implementation

Dr. Craig Hillman, DfR Solutions

The Physics of Failure is the leveraging the knowledge and understanding of processes and mechanisms that induce failure to predict reliability and improve product performance. PoF is a critical element in best practices in Design for Reliability. The concept of Physics of Failure, also known as Reliability Physics, involves the use of degradation algorithms that describe how physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, or electrical mechanisms evolve over time and eventually induce failure. The specific term arose from an attempt to better predict the reliability of early-generation electronic parts and systems; however, the concept of Physics of Failure is common in many structural fields. This presentation will provide an introduction to Physics of Failure (PoF) and Reliability Physics (RP) terminology, philosophy, approach, methods and tools for designing Quality, Reliability and Durability (QRD) into products and systems. The PoF/RP approach integrates reliability into design activities via a science-based process for evaluating the potential failure susceptibility and risks of specific materials, structures and technologies in specific applications. This enables a virtual “analyze and optimize” form of reliability growth where susceptibility to failure risks can be design out or mitigated, while a design is still on the CAD screen, rather than by physically building, testing and fixing prototype parts. Attendees will find this information useful for implementing a PoF or RP program (or, more importantly, reducing engineering costs, time to market, and warranty returns).

Dr. Craig Hillman is the Chief Executive Officer of DfR Solutions. DfR Solutions provides engineering services and tools that allow the electronic supply chain to meet customer expectations in regards to quality, reliability, and safety. Over the past seven years, Dr. Hillman has put together an a comprehensive group of subject matter experts in a number of different fields, including semiconductors, electronic design and fabrication, and systems engineering, and has overseen the release of the first Automated Design Analysis software to the EDA/CAE marketplace. DfR Solutions is now the largest organization of its kind in the world and has offices across North America and Europe. Dr. Hillman’s specific expertise is in the development and incorporation of best-in-class product development processes that optimize existing resources and result in strong customer satisfaction. Dr. Hillman holds two patents, has over 100 publications, is a guest columnist for Global SMT & Packaging, has been a course instructor at IPC, SMTA, IMAPS and IEEE conferences, was identified by the US DoD as a subject matter expert in Pb-free technology, and has presented on a wide variety of quality and reliability issues to over 500 companies and organizations. He holds a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering and Public Policy and a PhD from University of California – Santa Barbara in Materials Science and received a research fellowship at Cambridge University in England

This meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA. It will begin with personal networking at 5:30 PM. The presentation will follow at 6:00 PM. Refreshments, compliments of the Reliability Chapter, will be available. You do not need to belong to IEEE to attend this event; however we welcome your consideration of IEEE memberships as career enhancing technical affiliations. We request that you register to attend by Friday, October 9, so we can plan the refreshments.

You can register on-line by visiting the Reliability Chapter website at http://www.ieee.org/bostonrel

MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Forbes Road Facility is located at 3 Forbes Road in Lexington, MA 02420.

Driving Directions to MIT Lincoln Laboratory (Forbes Road Facility): (from Interstate-95 / Route 128)

• Take Route 128 / I-95 to Exit 30B, Route 2A westbound
• At the first traffic light, turn left onto Forbes Road
• Go to the end of the street
• At the traffic circle, turn right
• Go halfway around the traffic circle and turn into the parking lot for MIT Lincoln Laboratory
• The main entrance is straight ahead, shared with “agenus”
• Have a valid driver’s license to present to security.

Web map link: https://www.ll.mit.edu/about/mapForbesRoad.html