| Bacteria |
Single-celled, microscopic organisms. Live in the water phase of water dilutable coolants. Found in a variety of shapes, (round, rod or spiral). Bacteria are generally classified as aerobic (need oxygen for survival) or anaerobic (require oxygen-free environment). Most bacteria nourish themselves with organic material such as surfactants, and/or amines found in most process chemicals. |
| Ball Grid Array (BGA) |
BGA is descended from pin grid array (PGA), which is a package with one face covered (or partially covered) with pins in a grid pattern. The pins are used to conduct electrical signals from the integrated circuit to the printed circuit board (PCB) it is placed on. In a BGA, the pins are replaced by balls of solder stuck to the bottom of the package. The device is placed on a PCB that carries copper pads in a pattern that matches the solder balls. The assembly is then heated, causing the solder balls to melt. Surface tension causes the molten solder to hold the package in alignment with the circuit board, at the correct separation distance, while the solder cools and solidifies. |
| Base |
A chemical substance that yields hydroxyl ions when dissolved in water. Raises the pH. |
| BiCMOS |
BiPolar Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductors. A relatively new process that combines bipolar and CMOS technologies on the same chip, yielding products with the benefits of both technologies. |
| Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
A measure of the amount of oxygen used by microorganisms during the process of decomposing waste. The BOD is usually measured in milligrams per liter or in parts per million of oxygen required. An excessive BOD or COD would result in using up the oxygen in rivers and lakes causing fish to die. |
| Biocompatible |
The ability of a material to be put into a person without causing your body to attack or reject it. |
| Biologicals |
Microbiological growth. Levels of species such as bacteria, yeast, molds and fungi. |
| BioMEMS |
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) used for biological applications: genomics, proteomics, and drug delivery analysis; molecular assembly; tissue engineering; biosensor development; and nanoscale imaging. |
| Biosensor |
Also known as a lab-on-chip. A biomolecular probe that detects and/or measures the presence or concentration of chemicals in a biological material. |
| Bipolar |
A type of transistor noted for its speed where a flow of both conduction electrons and holes determine the device characteristics. |
| Bit |
Binary digit. The basic unit of all digital communications. A bit is either a “1” or “0” in binary language. |
| BOL |
Back-of-the-line process. |
| Boundary Lubricant |
A thin layer of lubricant film which physically adheres to the surface by molecular attraction of the lubricant to the metal surface. |
| BTAB |
Bumped Tab Automated Bonding (BTAB) is the preparation of a raised bump site at each bond site on tape bonding material. Also see Tape Automated Bonding (TAB). |
| Buckminsterfullerene |
A spherical fullerene of 60 carbons in an arrangement resembling a soccer ball, named after Buckminster Fuller, inventor of the geodesic dome (hence the popular name “Buckyball”). The unique properties of this nanostructure could prove useful in nanotechnology. |
| Buckyball |
Popular name for a Buckminsterfullerene. |
| Buckytubes |
(see Fullerene) |
| Build-Up Edge |
Material from the work piece that welds to the cutting edge of a tool. |
| Bulk Acoustic-wave Resonators (BAW) |
An array of micro-mechanical resonators made from nano-crystalline diamond. Used to find, and hold, a radio frequency. Packaging needs to seal out damaging moisture. |
| By-product |
A by-product is a secondary or incidental product deriving from a manufacturing process or chemical reaction and is not the primary product or service being produced. A by-product can be useful and marketable or it can have ecological consequences. |
| Byte |
A unit of 8 bits. |
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