The investigation of interconnection technologies is crucial for advancing semiconductor packaging technology. This study delved into the various methods of achieving electrical interconnections, focusing on the sintering process and composition of the epoxy. Although silver (Ag) has traditionally been utilized in the sintering process, its high cost often precludes widespread commercial applications. Copper (Cu) is a promising alternative that offers advantages, such as cost-effectiveness and high thermal and electrical conductivities. However, the mechanical robustness of the oxide layers formed on Cu surfaces results in several challenges. This research addresses these challenges by integrating epoxy, which has advantages such as adhesive capabilities, chemical resistance, and robust mechanical properties. The chemical reactivity of the epoxy was harnessed to both fortify adhesion and inhibit oxide layer formation. However, the optimal sintering performance required considering both the composite composition (20 wt% epoxy) and the specific sintering conditions (pre-heating at 200 °C and sintering at 250 °C). The experimental findings reveal a balance in the incorporation of epoxy (20 wt%) for the desired electrical and mechanical properties. In particular, the bisphenol A epoxy (Da)-containing sintered Cu chip exhibited the highest lab shear strength (35.9 MPa), whereas the sintered Cu chip without epoxy represented the lowest lab shear strength of 2.7 MPa. Additionally, the introduction of epoxy effectively curtailed the onset of oxidation in the sintered Cu chips, further enhancing their durability. For instance, 30 days after sintering, the percentage of oxygen atoms in the Da-containing sintered Cu chip (4.5%) was significantly lower than that in the sintered Cu chip without epoxy (37.6%), emphasizing the role of epoxy in improving Cu oxidation resistance. Similarly, the samples sintered with bisphenol-based epoxy binders exhibited the highest electrical and thermal conductivities after 1 month. This study provides insights into interactions between epoxy, carboxylic acid, solvents, and Cu during sintering and offers a foundation for refining the sintering conditions.

Background/Objectives: Dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a food-derived bioactive compound with potential metabolic benefits. However, its effects on hepatic protein networks and lipid droplet (LD) organization under high-fat diet (HFD)-induced steatosis remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the hepatic responses to dietary GABA supplementation in mice with HFD-induced hepatic steatosis. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice with HFD-induced hepatic steatosis supplemented GABA orally at 180 mg/kg/day for 5 weeks. Hepatic responses were evaluated using label-free quantitative proteomics and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-based analysis of LD morphology and spatial organization. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs; adjusted p < 0.1, |log₂FC| > 1) and protein–protein interaction networks were analyzed to characterize functional pathways and protein modules associated with GABA supplementation. Results: Proteomic profiling identified 108 DEPs (38 upregulated, 70 downregulated), indicating changes in protein networks related to proteostasis, lipid metabolism, and immune- and stress-responsive processes. Protein–protein interaction analysis identified a hub module enriched in ubiquitin-dependent protein quality control components, including ubiquilin-1 (UBQLN1) and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L3 (UCHL3), which showed reduced abundance following GABA supplementation. GABA also increased the abundance of LD-associated proteins, including perilipin-5 (PLIN5) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 4 (GPAT4), while changes were also observed in immune- and stress-responsive proteins, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase family member 9 (PARP9). SEM revealed remodeling of hepatic LD architecture in HFD with GABA-supplemented mice compared with HFD mice, with reduced mean LD area (593.30 vs. 1267.24 μm², p = 0.012), decreased nearest-neighbor distance (32.69 vs. 46.95 μm, p = 0.015), and increased perimeter-to-area ratio (0.17 vs. 0.12, p < 0.001). Total hepatic lipid content and body weight were not significantly altered. Conclusions: Dietary GABA supplementation was associated with remodeling of hepatic LD architecture and changes in protein networks related to proteostasis, lipid metabolism, and immune- and stress-responsive pathways, without reducing total hepatic lipid burden.