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Stephen Moore

September 5, 2019

2 Min Read
Sabic promotes optical resins for LiDAR components

Sabic will participate in the Technology Showcase at Automotive LIDAR 2019, to be held in Dearborn, MI, from Sept. 25-26. Aurélie Schoemann, Sabic business manager, Mobility, will give a technical presentation on high-performance optical resins for mobility on Sept. 25, beginning at 4:20p.m, at the Henry Hotel. Schoemann will explore key challenges affecting the design, manufacture and performance of LiDAR sensors and explain how optical thermoplastic resins such as Sabic’s Ultem amorphous polyetherimide (PEI) can provide solutions. In particular, she will focus on infrared (IR)-transparent resins for optical LiDAR components. 

Sabic’s advanced engineering thermoplastic resins can provide greater freedom to design complex, miniaturized and thin-wall geometries compared to glass and epoxy, two materials traditionally used in LiDAR assemblies.

To prevent obstruction of laser light waves, LiDAR systems may be embedded in automotive grilles, bumper fascias or headlights, exposing them to harsh weather conditions, road chemicals and debris that can affect their optical transparency and durability. Another challenge is the increasing miniaturization of LiDAR assemblies to make them less noticeable and more cost-effective. These smaller formats call for greater design flexibility.  

Compared to glass and epoxy, two materials traditionally used in LiDAR assemblies, Sabic’s advanced engineering thermoplastic resins can provide greater freedom to design complex, miniaturized and thin-wall geometries. They are increasingly becoming the materials of choice for applications requiring high IR transparency (even in black) and resistance to environmental exposure to UV light, chemicals, abrasion and impact. Besides PEI, Sabic also offers Stat-kon antistatic, conductive, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding compounds and LNP Konduit thermally conductive compounds.

Schoemann is a technical leader with a decade of experience in mass transportation, automotive and consumer electronics. She is currently focused on developing thermoplastic solutions to address challenges facing the growing automotive sensor market. She holds a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

About the Author(s)

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

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