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This page links to previously-sent e-newsletters. To view an archived e-newsletter, simply click on one of the links below:
- March 3, 2010
Feature -> Dynamic Variation of Air Change Rates
Over the past five to ten years, research facility design has been adapting to changing laboratory practices. Today’s modern laboratory, especially in the life sciences, operates with fewer fume hoods due to the prevalence of microchemistry, or the use of minute quantities of chemicals, and computational chemistry.
- February 17, 2010
Feature -> The Leaning of Thermal Validation
Despite a move toward ever leaner operations in regulated industries, thermal validation is one area that has eluded the cost and time savings associated with improving measurement technologies.
- February 3, 2010
Feature -> Simulating Challenging Operational Environments
Successful product development requires simulation of complex environments in which the product must operate. Design, validation, and qualification engineering groups must perform these simulations to validate new products as well as to validate performance and optimize existing designs.
- January 20, 2010
Feature -> Containment of Hazardous Drugs: The New Paradigm
Compared to pharmaceutical manufacturing, hazardous drugs have a narrow definition in the world of pharmacy. Typically, pharmacy considers a hazardous drug to be an antineoplastic or cancer drug, while pharmaceutical manufacturers understand that all drugs have a potential hazard to those working with them. Changing the paradigm for pharmacy will occur with the increased understanding that exposure risk is based on both amount and form (liquid or powder) of the drug, as well as the route of entry into the body.
- January 06, 2010
Feature -> Hand Hygiene In Controlled Environments
Studies with topical antiseptics against bacteria and viruses inform the choice of rapid kill agents for hand sanitization. The United States Pharmacopeia describes the use of antiseptics and disinfectants in chapter 1072 as important components of a contamination control program, especially for aseptic processing.¹ In a section entitled, "Selection of an Antiseptic for Hand and Surgical Site Disinfection," the chapter lists the following antiseptic agents for use in a program of hand hygiene as well as by cleanroom operators in the pharmaceutical industry: isopropyl alcohol, hexachlorophene, chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, and chlorhexidine alcohol.
- December 16, 2009
Feature -> Regulatory Forum: The China Quality Challenge
After a recent trip to China, I returned more impressed than ever with the rapid level of development within the major markets there. The maturity of the infrastructure in place, ready to support global commerce, was something I was not expecting.
- December 09, 2009
Feature -> Nanotechnology Research Requires A Different Breed of Laboratories and Cleanrooms
It would be nice to be able to build a typical laboratory and command that “thou shall conduct nanoscale research here.” However, as nanoscale research evolves so must the architecture and building technologies. Nanotechnology is not the new emerging science that the mainstream media would have us believe. In fact, nanotechnology has been present on scientists’ radar for over two decades.
- December 02, 2009
Feature -> The Evolution of Airborne Particle Counters
The new ISO standard increases the repeatability between units as a whole for all manufacturers. As electronic equipment used within the cleanroom environment has advanced in leaps and bounds, so too has the airborne particle counter. The first particle counters manufactured in the late 1980s and early 1990s were large, bulky, less sophisticated units unable to detect smaller particles, such as 0.3 micron and lower — largely due to the parts and software available.
- November 18, 2009
Feature -> USP 797 Cleanroom Design
Although the USP 797 mandate had a January 1, 2008 deadline, the buzz in the pharmacy industry is still, “What do we need?”; “What is a cleanroom?”; “What do we need to consider?”
- November 11, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 45)
Feature -> Learn the Cleaning Protocols That Will Help You Maintain USP 797 Compliance
Since the June 1, 2008 revision of USP general chapter 797, pharmaceutical compounding personnel have been held responsible for the cleanliness of their sterile compounding areas, including biosafety cabinets, compounding aseptic isolators, compounding aseptic containment isolators, and laminar airflow workbenches, as well as their buffer areas, ante-areas, and segregated compounding areas.
- November 04, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 44)
Feature -> Gaseous Decontamination for Critical Environments
Typical fumigation or gaseous decontamination methods are dry processes that penetrate HEPA filters and can reach areas that are not easily reached by manual disinfection or fogging. These methods can also be validated and challenged with 106 biological indicators to confirm microbial kill.
- October 28, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 43)
Feature -> Environmental Conciousness in Cleanroom Consumables Selection and Use
Environmental responsibility is no longer just an occasional headline in the news. It is expected socially and often mandated governmentally. Every day the public is demanding a decreased impact on the environment and an improvement to their quality of life globally. Every day new environmental regulations are introduced and government agencies are mandating change. In response, companies are announcing or improving “green” or “environmental responsibility” programs as their commitment to creating a better world. Initiatives to conserve our natural resources, eliminate operational waste, and produce more environmentally-friendly products are now both a corporate and customer expectation.
- October 21, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 42)
Feature -> Nanotechnology Cleanroom - Design on A Dime
The purpose of the cleanroom is to isolate the product from contaminants that cause product rejection by your quality control. This is done by keeping contaminants out of the facility or, should they enter, by removing them before they do damage. A variety of strategies are employed in large, well-financed facilities, but how does the start-up nanotechnology company, with relatively few dollars and many priorities, begin to address the need for an appropriate facility that will support small production runs of high quality, contaminant-free product?
- October 14, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 41)
Feature -> Working Toward Grid Parity for Photovoltaics
Using semiconductor specifications as the standard of cleanliness for photovoltaic (PV) component manufacturing is one of the factors holding back PV energy from achieving grid parity.
- October 07, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 40)
Feature -> The Bottom Line on Buying a Cleanroom System
You have been tasked by senior management to look into purchasing a cleanroom environment for a possible new product line. The mandate is that the cleanroom system provider must guarantee temperature, humidity, pressurization, and classification. As with any purchase, it is always best to be an educated buyer and have researched the options available to you. Knowing what questions to ask and what the cumulative effect is to those answers will make for a sound decision process and an overall successful project.
- September 30, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 39)
Feature -> Airborne Molecular Contamination - Head It Off
AMC can be a “silent poisoner” of your process. Poisons sap strength — including product quality and profits. Stop AMC at the source. Where in your process flow might it be an issue? Could AMC arise from the outside environment or prior processing in your supply chain? Is it being generated inside your facility?
- September 23, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 38)
Feature -> Science Is Foiled Again
This column is about understanding how and why sonic transducers perform as they do in cleaning operations. That understanding is based on an analysis of how the power applied from transducers is distributed throughout the tank. The involved science is sophisticated but the understanding may come mainly from a simple and old method.
- September 16, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 37)
Feature -> Facility Design As A Training Platform
It is safe to say the pharmaceutical and biotech market today bears little resemblance to the market of the last twenty years. The rapid advancement of emerging markets that drive down the standard cost of therapy has forced the industry to look for ways to catalyze business performance and manage risk while still maintaining shareholder value.
- September 09, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 36)
Feature -> Airborne Particle Monitoring: Satisfying The Changing Demands in Regulations and Methods
Today’s user is often faced with the challenge of meeting several international standards and regulatory guidances as well as performing sampling for airborne particles in a consistent and reproducible manner.
- September 02, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 35)
Feature -> The Incompatibilities of Semiconductor and Life Science Cleanrooms
For years, I witnessed cleanroom vendors and contractors grossly cannibalize semiconductor products in unsuccessful attempts at creating acceptable life science systems. It’s fair to say that the lack of understanding by professionals on all sides of both industries have slowed the process of innovation. It has resulted in many companies accepting products that don’t perform to the highest standards which have ultimately increased costs and slowed production.
- August 26, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 34)
Feature -> Controlled Environments in Canada: Business Perspective
It is hard to imagine a part of the world that has gone unscathed by the economic downturn of the past year. Unfortunately, Canada has not been immune. Even so-called recession proof industries have felt the effects of the decline, including pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- August 19, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 33)
Feature -> Lockheed Martin Expansion includes New Cleanroom
Lockheed Martin broke ground last week on two new facilities at its Space Systems Company operations in Newtown, Pennsylvania, that will support spacecraft programs for government and commercial customers.
- August 12, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 32)
Feature -> When Worlds Don't Collide--But Ought To
Pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers tend to operate in separate worlds. The products are different; the cultures and customary manufacturing practices are different; the regulations are often different. For the successful manufacture of combination devices, there must be a harmonious fusion; so the two worlds collide, albeit with some reluctance.
- August 5, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 31)
Feature -> Detecting AMC
“How do I know if I have AMC?” Hopefully, you are not suspicious of airborne molecular contamination because of poor yield or customer complaints. Instead of suspecting that you might have AMC, be proactive — head it off at the pass. There are two basic approaches to monitoring…
- July 29, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 30)
Feature -> Facebook For Atoms
Group contribution methods allow one to estimate some physical and chemical properties of molecules. We do this in a screening effort when we don’t have time or resources to make measurements. Let’s review this technology and describe some recent improvements.
- July 22, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 29)
Feature -> Testing Consumable Products For Cleanrooms
It is recommended that when comparing cleanroom consumable products manufactured by several vendors that all products be tested at the same lab, with the same test method, and by the same technician. What test methods are recommended for cleanroom consumable products?
- July 15, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 28)
Feature -> Air Sampler Qualification According to ISO 14698 NORM
In November 2007, the ISO TC/209 working group decided to revise the current version of the ISO 14698 norm (Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments – Biocontamination Control). This decision came from scientific and industrial communities willing to integrate innovations from the last decade and to make the content of this text easier to implement in a cleanroom’s routine activities.
- July 8, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 27)
Feature -> When Good Gas Goes Bad: Gas Purifiers At Work
Once obsessed with metallic impurity levels, reducing variations in the delivered gas purity has become the primary focus of contamination control engineers managing gas distributions systems. When used correctly at bulk sources or at the point-of-use, gas purifiers can remove harmful impurities down to the ppt range.
- July 1, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 26)
Feature -> NASA Cleanroom Creates Next Mars Rover
At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Spacecraft Assembly Facility in Pasadena, CA, researchers are hard at work designing and building the next generation of Mars rover.
- June 24, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 25)
Feature -> Airborne Molecular Contamination: The Silent Poison
If you are involved in semiconductors, nanodevices, or critical aerospace applications, AMC is an obvious concern. If you are involved in production that does not use a cleanroom, such as engineered coatings or consumer oriented products, consider how controlling AMC can improve your product yield and product performance.
- June 17, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 24)
Feature -> Keeping Their Cool: Researchers Develop Improved Techniques for Controlling Heat in Large Data Centers
Approximately a third of the electricity consumed by large data centers doesn't power the computer servers that conduct online transactions, serve Web pages or store information. Instead, that electricity must be used for cooling the servers, a demand that continues to increase as computer processing power grows.
- June 10, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 23)
Feature -> Putting Paper in the Past
Today’s industry standard for collecting and recording the environmental monitoring (EM) process is paper. This paper-based method, which, for the most part, has not varied much since its inception in the late 1970s, can be time consuming for everyone involved, from the technician to the supervisor, and additionally has the potential for multiple errors introduced inadvertently at any step.
- June 3, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 22)
Feature -> The Cleanroom Wiper Usage Audit
In today’s turbulent economy, even the best run companies are battling dwindling bottom lines and potential reductions in resources. The outlook is no different for critical or cleanroom manufacturing. Cost reduction plans are mandatory and tools must be identified and employed to drive down manufacturing costs while not negatively impacting the process or final product quality. The Cleanroom Wiper Usage Audit is just such a tool.
- May 27, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 21)
Feature -> Cleaning With CO2: A Heartening Experience
This column is about real critical cleaning cleaning (flushing) of human wound cavities of air with gaseous CO2. These cavities are naturally full of air during cardiopulmonary bypass operations with an empty heart, and other open wounds.
- May 20, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 20)
Feature -> Nanotech Safety
Nanotechnology is a rich, highly diversified, and promising technology platform that already is demonstrating amazing potential for the development of advanced technologies and products in many business sectors. Accompanying the recognition of these new opportunities are concerns that emerging nanotechnologies are not yet defined with respect to potential environmental safety and health impacts.
- May 13, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 19)
Feature -> Virtual Cleanroom Trains Students
When Tara Holt, a third-year Purdue University pharmacy student from Frankton, Ind., steps into a pharmacy clean room for the first time, she’s likely to experience a little déjà vu.
- May 6, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 18)
Feature -> Green Cleaning
Green, environmentally-preferred, sustainable, biobased, safe — the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, their meaning and interpretation really depend on one’s viewpoint.
- April 29, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 17)
Feature -> The Right Extraction
For aerospace, medical, electronic, pharmaceutical, and other critical applications, direct surface analysis is not always informative or feasible. To validate cleaning, you must design and justify an appropriate extraction protocol. This involves selecting the correct extraction chemical(s) and the correct extraction techniques.
- April 22, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 16)
Feature -> Getting More From Your Pneumatic Devices
Almost all manufacturing plants across America use compressed air, from pneumatic actuators to vacuum generators and blowing applications. What most companies are just now starting to realize is the actual cost of compressed air. “What do you mean?” you ask. “Air is free!” That may be true of the air we breathe daily, but it is a different story when it comes to compressed air.
- April 15, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 15)
Feature -> Medical Device Manufacturers of U.S. Products in Mexico
The Global Medical Device community has for several decades relied on Mexico, specifically the industrial community, for the manufacture of their medical products. This manufacturing process has evolved over the years to result in an industrial conglomerate that has paid off in dividends to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) as well as the contract manufacturing industry in Mexico.
- April 08, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 14)
Feature -> Controlled Environments in Canada
Canada is a rather unique country. It draws its cultural and demographic experiences primarily from Western Europe and the United States, though in recent years the influence of Asia has also been prominent. As a result, Canada has tended to be less ideologically conservative than the United States, to the extent that some might claim socialist leanings. Regardless, Canadian governments take an active role in industry and are not usually as laissez-faire as its southern neighbors.
- April 01, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 13)
Feature -> Establishing and Implementing an Environmental Monitoring Program for Non-Sterile Operations
I must establish and implement an environmental monitoring program for our new ISO Class 6 cleanroom that packages medical devices for terminal sterilization by gamma radiation.
- March 25, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 12)
Feature -> C4: Critical Cleaning For Contamination Control: Water: A Starting Point
Back in October 2007, we wrote about how significant water is to life, and how hydrogen-bonding intermolecular forces enable that. Essential as it is, however, water alone isn't sufficient for cleaning work. We have to add something to it, or take something away.
- March 18, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 11)
Feature -> Keep Product Clean In and Out of the Cleanroom
The first step in developing an effective precision cleaning process for the product is to determine where cleaning can be avoided. Keeping the product clean, particularly during transfer and storage, is an important part of your contamination control program.
- March 11, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 10)
Feature -> Understanding Cleanroom Wiper Test Data and The Role of Product Data/Information Sheets
Have you ever been confused by the data presented on a Cleanroom Wiper Data/Product Information Sheet and how to compare that information to the data presented by other cleanroom wiper manufacturers when trying to select a comparable cleanroom wiper? You are not alone.
- March 4, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 9)
Feature -> C4: Critical Cleaning For Contamination Control: An Electronic Nose For Cleanliness Detection
We suggest that one might consider an electronic nose, supplemented by a source of radiative heat and a programmable computer, as a nocontact detector for surface cleanliness.
- February 25, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 8)
Feature -> New Research Tool for Engineers
A team of Carnegie Mellon University engineers led by Levent Burak Kara and Kenji Shimada have developed software that will let engineers design new products by simply sketching their ideas on a tablet computer.
- February 18, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 7)
Feature -> Insights into Polymer Film Instability Could Aid High Tech Industries
While exploring the properties of polymer formation, a team of scientists at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has made a fundamental discovery about these materials that could improve methods of creating the stable crystalline films that are widely used in electronics applications — and also offer insight into a range of other phenomena.
- February 11, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 6)
Feature -> Enhancing solar cells with nanoparticles
Deriving plentiful electricity from sunlight at a modest cost is a challenge with immense implications for energy, technology, and climate policy. A paper in a special energy issue of Optics Express, the Optical Society's (OSA) open-access journal, describes a relatively new approach to solar cells: lacing them with nanoscopic metal particles. As the authors describe in the article, this approach has the potential to greatly improve the ability of solar cells to harvest light efficiently.
- February 4, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 5)
Feature -> Your Chance to Speak Up About a New PEL for n-PB
If you're manufacturing, selling, or interested in using normal propyl bromide (n-PB) as a cleaning solvent, you will want to be knowledgeable about a process of regulation happening NOW in California.
- January 28, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 4)
Feature -> Cracking a tough nut for the semiconductor industry
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method to measure the toughness-the resistance to fracture-of the thin insulating films that play a critical role in high-performance integrated circuits. The new technique could help improve the reliability and manufacturability of ICs and, better yet, it's one that state-of-the-art microelectronics manufacturers can use with equipment they already own.
- January 21, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 3)
Feature -> Propylene Carbonate and Dimethyl Carbonate No Longer Regulated as VOCs under the Clean Air Act
EPA is issuing a final rule that encourages the use of solvents that don't significantly contribute to ground-level ozone. Two chemicals used in solvents, propylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate, no longer need to be regulated as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the Clean Air Act. Extensive scientific reviews indicate these chemicals have little or no effect on forming smog or ground-level ozone. By excluding these chemicals, states will be able to focus on controlling other emissions that more significantly contribute to ozone.
- January 14, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 2)
Feature -> Food and Drug Law Institute Sponsors Major Conference on Nanotechnology Law, Regulation and Policy
Top government officials will explain regulatory plans for cutting-edge technology at a national meeting February 18-19th in Washington, DC.
- January 7, 2009 (Volume 3, Issue 1)
Feature -> Model Predicts Mechanical and Electronic Equipment's Remaining Life
New research at the Georgia Institute of Technology could soon make predicting the degradation and remaining useful life of mechanical and electronic equipment easier and more accurate, while significantly improving maintenance operations and spare parts logistics.
- December 30, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 51)
Feature -> New Technique Maps Nanomaterials as They Grow
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a measurement technique that will help scientists and companies map nanomaterials as they grow.
- December 17, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 50)
Feature -> Stretching Silicon
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers and physicists have developed a method of measuring how strain affects thin films of silicon that could lay the foundation for faster flexible electronics.
- December 10, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 49)
Feature -> Nanoscale dimensioning is fast, cheap with new NIST optical technique
A novel technique* under development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uses a relatively inexpensive optical microscope to quickly and cheaply analyze nanoscale dimensions with nanoscale measurement sensitivity. Termed “Through-focus Scanning Optical Microscope” (TSOM) imaging, the technique has potential applications in nanomanufacturing, semiconductor process control and biotechnology.
- December 03, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 48)
Feature -> Sterilization Using EHD
The various methods of decontamination and sterilization in medical device production and pharmaceutical equipment cleaning are facing difficult safety and hazmat issues. Formaldehyde, isopropanol, and live steam are being restricted for their safety and environmental impact –and companies are discovering methods to vaporize hydrogen peroxide to create results in replacement of such hazards.
- November 19, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 47)
Feature -> Nano3 Lab brings cutting-edge cleanroom facilities to academic and industry users
Sometimes it pays to think small. Researchers at UC San Diego’s Nano3 Lab are out to prove that nanostructures – objects one million times smaller than the diameter of a human hair – can have a giant impact on science, technology, medicine and the economy.
- November 12, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 46)
Feature -> New Practices in Thermal and Airflow Analysis
Knowing how electronic components and enclosures respond to severe fluctuations in temperature and airflow is essential knowledge before the system is actually subjected to the potential stress of a real-world high or low temperature and/or high altitude application. This type of knowledge reduces the stress of uncertainty, as well as the high cost of failures.
- November 5, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 45)
Feature -> Making the Grade in the Medical Market
As an aging population requires more hip, knee and teeth replacements, suppliers to the growing medical implant industry are noticing an increased demand for fine grade titanium. Whereas powders in the range of 150µm/100 mesh are suitable for many industries, the medical field requires even finer material, which proactive suppliers are stepping up to produce.
- October 29, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 44)
Feature -> How will the current financial crisis affect the semiconductor market?
Gartner said it expects semiconductor industry capital spending to decline 25.7 percent in 2008 and another 12.8 percent in 2009 before recovering to grow 16.7 percent in 2010.
- October 22, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 43)
Feature -> The Frontiers of Nanotechnology
According to a just-released podcast and new publication from the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), nanotechnology will be central to developing advanced, "faster, better, cheaper" electronics and "green" energy technologies.
- October 15, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 42)
Feature -> Can Protective Garments be Wearable Filters?
Protective garments for medical, civilian safety and military applications range from disposable lightweight fabrics to multilayered fabrics and laminated barrier materials, depending upon the nature of the contamination that threatens the wearer. Usually, only full barrier garments, such as the Level A liquid splash protective garments provide full protection from aerosols, and this is due to their air impermeability.
- October 8, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 41)
Feature -> The Case for Energy Audits
Through an energy audit, an electrical contractor can determine how much power is being used and what systems are requiring the most and then offer a list of options for reducing power use or improving energy efficiency.
- October 1, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 40)
Feature -> Infrastructure Energy Checklist
How do you know when is it really time to develop and implement an energy improvement plan? The checklist below will help you understand your facility's current condition and the steps needed.
- September 24, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 39)
Feature ->Bacteria Busters: Hygienic design for processing industries
Gaskets, seals, and rough pipe surfaces are potential bacteria havens and hygienic challenges for the processing industry. The solution? Hygienic design.
- September 17, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 38)
Feature -> Case Study: Automating Power Systems
With millions of dollars of inventory often at stake, it is critical that many pharmaceuti¬cal labs maintain climate control at their distribution centers. Recently, a major pharmaceutical producer determined that it was at risk to electric power outages and interruptions that would endanger climate control and jeopardize products processed and stored at its centralized distribution center.
- September 10, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 37)
Feature -> Photoluminescence in nano-needles
Silicon is the workhorse among semiconductors in electronics. But in opto-electronics, where light signals are processed along with electronic signals, a semiconductor that is capable of emitting light is needed, which silicon can't do very well. Here gallium-arsenide (GaAs) is the workhorse, especially in the creation of light emitting diodes (LED) and LED lasers.
- September 03, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 36)
Feature -> Advanced Ceramic Heaters for Laboratory Equipment
Laboratory space, portability, power efficiency and performance continue to be the market drivers of new instrumentation designs. Instrument designers are continually looking to OEM suppliers for components that are smaller, lighter, thinner and paradoxically more powerful. This explains the development of new heating technologies such as advanced ceramic heaters.
- August 27, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 35)
Feature -> It’s All About Exposure: Facility and Environmental Controls for USP 797 Compliance
The U.S. Pharmacopeia's (USP) Revised General Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding—Sterile Preparations sets practice standards to help ensure that compounded sterile preparations are of high quality. In its report on the "Limited FDA Survey of Compounded Drug Products," the FDA noted that improper compounding raised product quality issues. .
- August 20, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 34)
Feature -> EPA Encourages New Owners to Audit, Make "Clean Start"
EPA is launching an interim policy that offers incentives to new owners who correct environmental violations at recently-acquired regulated facilities. Under the interim policy, new owners may receive lower penalties than long-time owners.
- August 13, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 33)
Feature -> New ISO Draft International Standard on Classification of Surface Particle Cleanliness
ISO DIS 14644-9 Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments—Classification of surface particle cleanliness is now available from the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST). This new ISO Draft International Standard describes the classification of particle contamination levels on solid surfaces in cleanrooms and associated controlled environment applications.
- August 6, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 32)
Feature -> SEMI EPWG Releases Report on Economics of 450 mm Wafer Transition
Many people in the industry seem to think that moving to larger wafers is the obvious next step to keep on Moore's Law and to ensure that the cost per transistor continues to decline as it has in the past. It's a reasonable assumption, since such a move is on the ITRS roadmap. But before making such a change -- and before investing some tens of billions of dollars to make a change -- it's prudent to do a careful analysis of the facts and the myths around such a transition. SEMI's Equipment Productivity Working Group (the EPWG) has done such an analysis.
- July 30, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 31)
Feature -> Fundamentals of Gas Filtration: Concept of Most Penetrating Particle Size
Understanding the ability of filter media to collect particles from a gas stream passing through it is key to successful filter design and operation. Particle capture is dependent on several particle capture mechanisms. As the gas flows through the filter media, particles are primarily removed from the gas stream via the particle collection mechanisms of diffusion, interception, inertial impaction and electrostatic deposition.
- July 23, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 30)
Feature -> What is a Memristor?
"Memristor" discovery could lead to far more energy-efficient computing systems with memories that don't forget, never need to be booted up.
- July 16, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 29)
Feature -> NIOSH Seeks Input on Direct Reading Exposure Assessment Methods (D.R.E.A.M.) Workshop
Direct-reading instruments are valuable tools for detecting and measuring worker exposure to hazards such as gases, vapors, aerosols, surface contamination, musculoskeletal disorders, and radiation. These instruments provide on-site measurement of exposures in units (such as parts per million parts of air, or ppm) that indicate whether or not the exposures pose an occupational health or safety risk and if the prevention methods employed are actually providing the proper level of protection.
- July 9, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 28)
Feature -> Staying Current on Electrical Overstress and Electrical Status Discharge
This year's EOS/ESD Symposium offers 10 interactive workshops that promote discussion and the exchange of ideas. Some of the workshop session topics for this year include: ESD Control and Design for Extremely Sensitive (Class0) Devices, ESD Protection Targets, Automated Equipment and Grounding Issues, Protecting High Frequency Circuits and much more.
- July 2, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 27)
Feature -> Crossflow Filtration as a Viable Option
Sometimes referred to as Tangential Flow Filtration, Crossflow Filtration is used mostly in the sub-micron range, it's most common uses are in the range of Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, and Nanofiltration. Crossflow is used most often, in situations that require the filtration of very large volumes of fluid, or the separation of very high concentrations of solids.
- June 25, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 26)
Feature -> Quality Management is Frequent Swedish Inspector Finding
At the 2008 PDA/EMEA Joint Conference, Tor Gråberg, Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector of the Swedish Medical Products Agency, gave a presentation entitled “Inspections Update: Major Observations.” Gråberg presented data from inspections done by his Agency from 2003 to 2006. During that time frame, the Agency’s performed 136 inspections and recorded 2,809 distinct deviation observations.
- June 18, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 25)
Feature -> Ground-breaking Papers on Reshaping Pharmaceutical Quality
The June 2008 issue of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation (JPI) published the first scientific papers outlining the progress made on ISPE’s Product Quality Lifecycle Implementation (PQLI) initiative. Written by subject matter experts representing the global pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, these papers present preliminary practical scientific and technological approaches to implementing ICH documents that address Pharmaceutical Development (Q8 and Q8(R)), Quality Risk Management (Q9), and Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (Q10).
- June 11, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 24)
Feature -> World Semiconductor Council Pledges Cooperation on Environmental Concerns
The World Semiconductor Council (WSC) concluded its twelfth annual meeting in Taipei with a wide-ranging set of recommendations for expanding global trade in semiconductors and electronic products, enhancing intellectual property protections and supporting strong environment, safety and health practices. The WSC is the leading international organization representing the world's major semiconductor industry associations from the US, Japan, Europe, Korea, China and Chinese Taipei.
- June 4, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 23)
Feature -> FDA looking to hire 1,300 within the next several months
Biologists, chemists, medical officers, mathematical statisticians and investigators are among the experts in demand as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration begins a multi-year hiring initiative.
- May 28, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 22)
Feature -> Raw Materials Control: A Sink or Swim Odyssey
Although pharma and biopharmaceuticals giants have at their disposal unlimited resources to develop and implement successful and efficacious sampling and testing programs for their raw materials, it is mid to small size companies that often lack resources to support more robust programs that can provide added assurance of raw material compliance.
- May 21, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 21)
Feature -> What is RoHS?
The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment." This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.
- May 14, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 20)
Feature -> Asia Pacific's Semiconductor Industry - An insider's view
Asia Pacific is the powerhouse of electronics production. More chips are produced there than anywhere else in the world. Minett Media spoke to Glen Wang and Kevin Lai of Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, who sit right in the center of the semiconductor industry.
- May 7, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 19)
Feature -> Going Green Means Saving Green
In recent years, there has been substantial growth in environmental awareness in a wide variety of industries. Green technology, green buildings and green products have entered the thoughts and lexicons of professionals world-wide. Major car manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Nissan and Ford constantly strive to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly growing green automobile market. Even this year's Nobel Prize for Peace was granted, not to someone negotiating a treaty between warring nations, but to people working to make peace between industry and the environment.
- April 30, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 18)
Feature -> Five Steps to Building an Effective Referral Network
For many small-business owners, the thought of attending a networking event is enough to make them cringe. After all, many are overworked, and do not enjoy spending their small amount of free time in a crowded room of people; making small talk with complete strangers; attempting to sell company products or services to disinterested prospects; and often having little to show for their time investment. And in fact, that notion of networking may be true, which is why smart business owners network in a way that opens referral sources rather than focusing on a direct sale.
- April 23, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 17)
Feature -> NIST Team Proves Bridge from Conventional to Molecular Electronics Possible
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have set the stage for building the "evolutionary link" between the microelectronics of today built from semiconductor compounds and future generations of devices made largely from complex organic molecules. In an upcoming paper in the Journal of the American Chemical Society,* a NIST team demonstrates that a single layer of organic molecules can be assembled on the same sort of substrate used in conventional microchips.
- April 16, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 16)
Feature -> MEMS Sensor/Actuator Growth to Double in Next Five Years
Currently, 80% of today's $5 billion semiconductor sensor/actuator market is served by devices built with MEMS technology. While the automotive market has been the main consumer of devices built with MEMS devices, new growth is seen in the area of consumer products.
- April 9, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 15)
Feature -> Nanotech 2008 Announces Technical and Business Program in Boston
The world's largest nanotechnology conference and trade show expects record attendance at the 11th annual Nanotech Conference on for June 1-5, 2008 in Boston, MA.
- April 2, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 14)
Feature -> Editor's Pick
Every week, we receive dozens of product announcements and news items via email, and at conferences and other events. The Controlled Environments Editor's Pick will be an occasional feature where we highlight a product, a piece of equipment, a service, or an innovation. Though there are a lot of new and interesting items, every once in a while, something stands out or simply catches our attention. What is it this time? The Kimtech Science Bench Top Protector.
- March 26, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 13)
Feature -> Six Ways to Create a Better Place to Work
The number one complaint from employees in the trenches is that, in some places, management does a pretty good job of talking about the need for good leadership, but far too seldom do they move from inspiration to execution.
- March 19, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 12)
Feature -> Book Review: Pump Handbook, Fourth Edition
This classic reference book is a major revision of McGraw-Hill's handbook that provides practical data and knowledge of the design, application, specification, purchase, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of pumps of every type.
- March 12, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 11)
Feature -> The Value of Mentors
Your ability to choose your mentors can be a crucial step toward achievement in all areas of your life. Read this story for 12 steps on building successful mentor-protégé relationships.
- March 5, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 10)
Feature -> Final Bulk Inspection of Solid-Dose Pharmaceuticals, part 3
We've covered risks and consequences of weak inspections, as well as types of inspection systems, now we will cover optical inspection systems and guidelines for selection.
- February 27, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 9)
Feature -> Final Bulk Inspection of Solid-Dose Pharmaceuticals, part 2
Part 1 dealt with the risks and consequences of weak inspections, now we cover types of inspection systems.
- February 20, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 8)
Feature -> Final Bulk Inspection of Solid-Dose Pharmaceuticals, part 1
Final bulk inspection of solid-dose OTC and regulated pharmaceuticals is of interest to brand owners, product manufacturers, and contract packers looking to deliver consistently high product quality. Product quality is being scrutinized more closely than ever by customers and processes are increasingly coming under the review of regulatory agencies. Advanced technology is keeping pace to address these challenges — new automated continuous inspection systems are more effective and more commercially viable than ever before.
- February 13, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 7)
Feature -> Hygienic Design
Gaskets, seals and rough pipe surfaces are potential bacteria havens and hygienic challenges for the cleanroom industry. The solution? Hygienic design.
- February 6, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 6)
Feature -> Cold Chain Management and Temperature Control Summit Addresses Critical Challenges
The most recent Canadian study conducted by the pharmaceutical industry and Health Canada indicated only 63% of distributors-importers, 62% of wholesalers, and 59% of fabricators-packagers/labelers use tools to monitor whether appropriate product conditions are maintained during shipping and throughout the cold chain.
- January 30, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 5)
Feature -> The Compliance Dilemma: Part 3
We've looked at the dilemma and the needs, now let's look at turnkey alternatives. Few pharmacy services employ staffs large enough — or well-versed enough in the requisite technical subjects—to develop, implement, and maintain an ongoing USP 797 compliance scheme using only internal resources.
- January 23, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 4)
Feature -> The Compliance Dilemma: Part 2
Last week, in Problems and Solutions in Meeting USP 797, we identified the dilemma, now we look at the needs.
- January 16, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 3)
Feature -> THE COMPLIANCE DILEMMA: Problems and Solutions in Meeting USP 797 Regulations for Compounding Pharmacies, part 1
In the last several years, the U.S. government has issued a series of regulations, contained in General Chapter, mandating tighter control of sterile preparations in compounding pharmacies. This report discusses the areas in which pharmacies face increasing compliance burdens. It also outlines solutions to these requirements offered by a turnkey consulting/training/testing supplier.
- January 9, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 2)
Feature -> Challenges to Nanotech Commercialization
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies released the results of a new survey of New England-based nanotechnology companies aimed at discovering how firms in almost every sector of the economy address the possible environmental, health and safety (EHS) impacts of new nanoscale materials and products. The survey found that these firms lack a clear roadmap of government EHS expectations and regulations for successful commercialization, as well as the information needed to meet those expectations.
- January 2, 2008 (Volume 2, Issue 1)
Feature -> Combination Products - Navigating Two FDA Quality Systems
The combination products market is moving forward with a new direction and emphasis regarding product safety and FDA requirements. Navigant consulting estimated the market at $5.9 billion in 2004 and predicted a 10% compound annual growth rate that will see the market reach approximately $9.5 billion in 2009. The FDA received 275 combination product submissions in 2005.
- December 27, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 52)
Feature -> Disposable Electronics: The First Wave for Printed and Organic Electronics
Inexpensive printed RFID tags will generate revenues of $12.4 billion by 2015 and will partially replace barcodes, endowing packaging and numerous low-cost products with high-levels of intelligence. RFID is an opportunity measured in billions of units and promises a retail management revolution with impact ranging from improved inventory tracking to enhanced brand management.
- December 19, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 51)
Feature -> Critical Cleaning and Contamination Control: How to Design an Effective In-House Training and Educational Program, part 3
Read this article for more suggestions on getting the right program content that we have found to be successful with a range of clients and in a variety of corporate cultures.
- December 12, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 50)
Feature -> Critical Cleaning and Contamination Control: How to Design an Effective In-House Training and Educational Program, part 2
Read this article for more suggestions on getting the right program content that we have found to be successful with a range of clients and in a variety of corporate cultures.
- December 5, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 49)
Feature -> Critical Cleaning and Contamination Control: How to Design an Effective In-House Training and Educational Program, part 1
We do workshops at conferences all the time, such workshops provide value. Attendance at conferences is valuable. However, to get everyone on the same page and to make sure that it's the right page for your application, nothing beats an in-house training or educational program. An in-house program can be geared to your specific product and processes. In addition, for some strange reason, it is easier to discuss company-specific problems and ideas if your competitors, high-level representatives of key regulatory agencies, and auditors from customers are not grinning at you from across the room. However, achieving a successful in-house training or education program in critical cleaning and contamination control requires preparation.
- November 28, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 48)
Feature -> Facilities Planning and Design for Pharmaceuticals
The economics of the pharmaceutical industry depends on maximum asset utilization and efficient, optimized manufacturing processes. Furthermore, these industries are faced with the challenge of global competition, federal regulations, environmental implications, complexities in planning, and scheduling.
- November 20, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 47)
Feature -> USP, ASHE and CAHED being brought together for joint forum on USP 797 compliance
Baxa Corp. has announced plans to launch a new course offering with an industry forum on USP 797 compliance and facility design.
The day long forum, to be held in the company's STAR (Skills Training, Academics and Resources) Center, will bring together industry leaders to better understand the requirements of USP 797 and their practical application for facility design and environmental control.
- November 14, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 46)
Feature -> Braun releases protective system following USP 797 recommendation
Studies have shown certain drugs, such as chemotherapy agents, can be associated with a variety of both short term and long term health effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and USP<797>, have each recommended the use of protective devices for the preparation of hazardous medications.
- November 7, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 45)
Feature -> Printed Electronics is Pivotal to the Future of Mobile Phones
Printed electronics is a term that covers printed and potentially printed electronics and electrics. It is the basis of an emerging $300 billion business embracing transistors, memory, displays, solar cells, batteries, sensors, lasers and much more.
- October 31, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 44)
Feature -> Health effects of cleaning chemicals
Hazardous chemicals are a part of the cleaning process - as is, hopefully, a thorough knowledge of industrial hygiene.
However, from time to time accidents and inadvertent contact with such chemicals occur.
- October 24, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 43)
Feature -> IEST publishes contamination control recommended practice on cleanroom housekeeping
The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology has published a newly revised Recommended Practice providing guidance for maintaining a cleanroom at the level for which it was designed.
- October 17, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 42)
Feature -> Water Vapor and Carbon Nanotube Paper Available from RASIRC
Steam purification firm RASIRC reports research findings in a new white paper that find the addition of ultra-pure water vapor during the formation of carbon nanotubes affects all aspects of their development including length, shape, and purity.
- October 10, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 41)
Feature -> How micro devices and nano-engineered materials treat cancer and HIV
Using nanotechnology, engineering researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have developed a small but powerful device capable of enhancing the delivery of drugs to treat life-threatening illnesses.
- October 3, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 40)
Feature -> How data loggers help compress energy costs
One of the greatest challenges facing building owners and facility professionals today is finding ways to reduce energy costs. The challenge can be even greater in industrial facilities filled with production equipment.
- September 26, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 39)
Feature -> White Paper: Sterility Testing Essentials for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Microtest labs has announced that a white paper detailing sterility testing essentials for pharmaceutical manufacturers is now available for download.
- September 19, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 38)
Feature -> Cleaning workshop to examine future challenges in surface cleaning
For the fifth consecutive year, scores of professionals from the semiconductor field, equipment vendors, suppliers and researchers are preparing to gather in Boston to share and discuss current and future challenges and advances in surface cleaning.
- September 12, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 37)
Feature -> Filtration system helps pharmaceutical plant's drive towards zero discharge
Pfizer is working towards zero discharge at its Puerto Rican facilities, initiating a waste minimization program with a goal of reusing 100 percent of its wastewater.
- September 5, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 36)
Feature -> Where's the Magic?
"Change" and "flexibility" are two terms that come to me as I reflect on how the cleanroom business has evolved in recent years. Over more than 25 years, I've grappled with the challenges of building cleanrooms for fun and profit. Ever since I sold vacuum cleaners in college, it has been plain to me that nothing happens until there is a sale.
- August 29, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 35)
Feature -> White paper: Using Water Vapor to Improve Photovoltaic Performance and Reduce Cost
RASIRC, the Steam Purification Company, has announced the availability of a white paper, "Using Water Vapor to Improve Photovoltaic Performance and Reduce Cost," by Jeffrey Spiegelman.
- August 22, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 34)
Feature -> Singapore eyes nanotech 'city-state' approach at ICBN
In an attempt to move nanotechnology research and development forward, Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo says his country must begin to emulate an Italian renaissance city-state.
- August 15, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 33)
Feature -> Seeking standard, ISEA requests public review of new protective clothing
The International Safety Equipment Association is soliciting public comments on a new performance standard for chemical protective clothing.
- August 8, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 32)
Feature -> Swedish steel plant goes green, avoids clogging with continuous sand filters
A major steel plant on the east coast of Sweden has recently installed a new rolling mill. In conjunction with this, they've introduced the principle of 100 percent recycling of both the process water and slag resulting from the cooling process.
- August 1, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 31)
Feature -> High-purity skids for biopharmaceutical production
In order to meet critical production requirements for a clinical trial of a new treatment for Pompe disease - and help save the lives of those involved in the trials - the biopharmaceutical manufacturer Genzyme turned to ITT Pure-Flo Solutions Group to provide a solution for high-purity skids for ultrafiltration and chromatography.
- July 25, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 30)
Feature -> Developing nanotechnology to test food quality
Researchers have created two tiny instruments capable of detecting a range of contaminants, from molecules to whole bacteria, in food and water.
- July 18, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 29)
Feature -> Ten Hot Topics at SEMICON West 2007
According to SEMI, the top ten topics of interest at this year's SEMICON West include...
- July 11, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 28)
Feature -> A conversation about the proposed nPB rule change
We had a chance this week to speak with Barbara Kanegsberg ("the cleaning lady") about the proposed nPB rule change.
In our interview, Barbara provides insight into recent EPA statements about n-propyl bromide (nPB) and the potential impact on process performance, quality, and profitability. A final EPA rule finds nPB acceptable in solvent cleaning. However, a proposed EPA rule would disallow nPB in aerosol, adhesive, and most coating applications.
- July 6, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 27)
Feature -> Sealing challenges in the chemical processing, food and pharmaceutical industries
The acronyms may be short in the chemical processing, food and pharmaceutical industries, but they pose big sealing challenges. CIP, Cleaning in Place, uses chemicals lethal to the majority of elastomer seals, while SIP, Sterilisation in Place employs superheated steam up to 140°C with an even greater deteriorating affect. In addition to this, for some applications, the seals must meet the strict requirements for FDA, Food and Drugs Administration, approval.
- June 27, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 26)
Feature -> White paper: The USP 797 compliance dilemma
With the mandatory deadline just six months away, pharmacy directors are looking at the final stages of ensuring their facilities are USP 797 compliant.
- June 20, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 25)
Feature -> Building a clean research laboratory: A checklist
The endless roster of issues facing project managers when construction begins on a new research lab can be daunting.
- June 13, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 24)
Feature -> The Science of Ergonomic Laboratory Seating
In laboratory environments, it's not uncommon for people to spend extended periods of time working in seated positions.
- June 6, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 23)
Feature -> NESHAP II: You should have said something
In the final “National Air Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Halogenated Solvent Cleaning,” there are facility-wide emissions limits. Are you subject to these limits? Read on for more information, but I’ll give you a hint: those who spoke up were more likely to be exempt.
- May 30, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 22)
Feature -> White paper: Challenges awaiting combo product manufacturers
A new, free white paper, addressing the challenges of new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations awaiting combination products manufacturers, is now available for download.
- May 23, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 21)
Feature -> IEST technical awards presented
The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) recognized the technical achievements of its members and supporters at the annual awards recognition and annual membership meeting during ESTECH 2007, the 53rd Annual Technical Meeting and Exposition of IEST.
- May 16, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 20)
Feature -> International SEMATECH relocates HQ to UAlbany
A global consortium of nanoelectronics manufacturers will complete the largest expansion in its history by moving its headquarters to the University of Albany’s Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology, it announced this week.
- May 9, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 19)
Feature -> Update to halogenated solvents NESHAP
Impending changes to the 1994 Halogenated Solvents NESHAP (National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants) will limit the amount of releases of certain chlorinated solvents that are still used in cleaning processes.
- May 2, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 18)
Feature -> Automating wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment is a biological process, which means it uses bugs, or bacteria, to do all the work. The bugs feed on the waste matter and need oxygen to survive. Too little oxygen or too little food and the bugs begin to stress and become less effective. Too much food leads to too many bugs, which overloads the system. These crucial variables can be controlled by automation. ITT's Royce Technologies is one of the most innovative companies in the wastewater treatment automation industry.
- April 25, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 17)
Feature -> Nanotech consortium awards $2.4 million development project
Nanotech consortium SEMATECH and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering of the University at Albany have announced that Woodbury, N.Y.-based Veeco Instruments Inc. has been chosen for a $2.4 million project that will provide research and development necessary to enable extreme ultraviolet lithography for advanced manufacturing.
- April 18, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 16)
Feature -> Cost vs. quality in critical cleaning: A manager’s checklist
In a perfect world, critical cleaning would be effective and easily affordable... But as John Durkee, Ph.D., P.E. pointed out in the April 2003 edition of Controlled Environments Magazine, those who do critical cleaning work choose the quality side of the quality/cost tradeoff.
- April 11, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 15)
Feature -> What’s in your cleaning bath?
It’s a continual source of amazement, or at least amusement... A manufacturer expends considerable time, engineering effort, and expense in designing a product. The marketing folks tout the product’s advanced superiority in trade publications, conferences, and web sites. Then, the assemblers have to actually build the product. Yield problems arise. We are asked to troubleshoot the problem. We ask: how are you cleaning the product? What cleaning chemistries and systems do you use to remove the metalworking fluids, polishing compounds, whatever? Given the sophistication of many of the products, the answers are surprising.
- April 4, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 14)
Feature -> White paper: Tips for choosing data loggers in green building projects
Onset Computer Corp. has published a new white paper entitled, “Choosing Data Loggers for Green Building Projects: Ten Important Considerations.”
- March 28, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 13)
Feature -> What is SQRC?
Barbara Kanegsberg is the president and Ed Kanegsberg is Secretary and Treasurer of the Surface Quality Resource Center. This week, the Kanegsbergs explain what the organization is all about.
- March 21, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 12)
Feature -> NANOIDENT opens facility for optoelectronic sensors at organic fab
NANOIDENT Technologies this week opened the world’s first manufacturing facility for the delivery of printed semiconductor-based optoelectronics.
- March 14, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 11)
Feature -> Talking USP 797: IEST outlines contamination control
Nearly three years after its adoption and with the compliance deadline approaching, coming into line with USP 797 remains an important goal for many – and a topic the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology hopes to help clarify.
- March 7, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 10)
Feature -> When to use random (as opposed to sine) vibration for testing
Classical single-frequency sine vibration was exclusively demanded until about 1955. Figure 1 (upper – time domain) shows a classical sine wave on an oscilloscope. Lower (frequency domain) shows all energy at one frequency.
- March 1, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 9)
Feature -> EPA white paper: Nanotechnology, opportunity and safety
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Policy Council has published a white paper that touches on issues and needs associated with nanotechnology, to support related EPA program office needs, and to communicate nanotechnology science issues to stakeholders and the public.
- February 21, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 8)
Feature -> Modern cleaning: Starting over proves fruitful for author
Management of Industrial Cleaning Technology and Processes covers all aspects of modern cleaning technologies. It’s a useful set of tools for professionals, but it wasn’t an easy road to publication.
- February 15, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 7)
Feature -> IEST certificate programs: A look at the instructors
The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology has put together a team of experts from the contamination control industry to present two new certificate programs.
- February 7, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 6)
Feature -> Cleanroom construction: Hoping it's the answer to customers' evolving demands
Keeping up with customer requests, no matter how demanding, is a constant challenge. So when Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. (ESI) saw its customer's requests evolving in a way that necessitated a cleaner approach to manufacturing, it addressed it.
- January 31, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 5)
Feature -> Group looks for perfect 'beware of nanotech' sign while U.S. companies work to minimize exposure
Though the toxicology of nanoparticles remains largely unknown, one group has moved toward establishing an internationally recognized symbol warning of potential nano-hazards.
- January 24, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 4)
Feature -> Compounding cleanly - a hands-on approach
Since it was introduced in 2004, USP 797 compliance has been an important goal for many. Knowing this, the Baxa Corp. set about constructing its STAR (Skills Training, Academics and Resources) Center - a facility specifically designed for cleanroom and pharmacy practice demonstration.
- January 17, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 3)
Feature -> A world too small to see becomes larger than life
Cleanrooms, nanotechnology and contamination control can be difficult concepts for youngsters to grasp...
- January 10, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 2)
Feature -> Cleanroom contamination risk assessment outlined in online tutorial
Early next month, anyone interested in learning the role of risk assessment in cleanroom contamination prevention can do so - even if they don't feel like leaving home.
- January 5, 2007 (Volume 1, Issue 1)
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