The best IEEE EPS Undergraduate Final Year Project (FYP) Award 2017 at the University of Malaya was awarded to Ms. Lee Ee Lynn, a Materials Engineering student. The title of her project was “Intermetallic Compound Growth between Solid Cobalt and Molten Tin”. The project focused on the interfacial reaction of binary Co-Sn system in terms of intermetallic compound (IMC) growth morphology and kinetics. The nano-hardness and modulus of Co-Sn IMC formed was investigated to determine suitability of CoSn₂ in transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding. A dipping method where solid cobalt was immersed into molten tin statically was carried out at various temperature and duration. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) was used to characterize morphology and composition of IMC. The results showed that phase formed during liquid-solid Sn-Co interfacial reactions at 250°C, 275°C and 300°C for all durations were found to be CoSn₂. The CoSn₂ IMC thickness increases as dipping temperature and duration increase. The results had revealed that CoSn₂ is the most stable phase under test conditions in terms of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics aspects. 

Last but not least, Ms. Lee would like to express her appreciation for the mentorship of her supervisor, Prof. Dr. A.S.M.A. Haseeb. His guidance had been monumental in this achievement. The winner received RM3,000 cash prize and a certificate.