How It Works: High Performance Solution for Cleaning Thin Film
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Cleaning thin films and addressing the impact of debris on yields, production, and quality.
ASTM Medical Device Committees: Standards Evolution
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
During the November, 2011 ASTM meetings in Tampa, FL, we observed a number of trends, particularly in the standards and guidance documents that impact medical device manufacture and maintenance.
Cosmetics and Cleanrooms
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Dr. Kevina O’Donoghue, Ed Kanegsberg
Barbara Kanegsberg with special guest columnist Dr. Kevina O’Donoghue Reviewed by Ed Kanegsberg
On the Quality of Cleanroom Wipers
By Sandeep Kalelkar, Ph.D., Jay Postlewaite, Ph.D.
In assessing the quality of cleanroom wipers, it is vital to consider the consistency of their cleanliness as an integral property that allows the expected performance measures to be achieved.
Thermal Decontamination: The Key to Effective Culture
By Verena Ruckstuhl
When culturing various organisms it is vital that they do not become cross-contaminated compromising their viability.
Superfluous or Essential: Part 2
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
In the first installment, we discussed how to avoid superfluous materials and activities in cleanrooms.
Superfluous or Essential: Part I
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
An art exhibit in London inspired us to ponder changing views about the definitions and implications of soil, residue, contamination, and especially the design and operation of controlled environments.
A Primer on Gloveboxes
By Gary Roepke, Bob Applequist
Determining the right glovebox for the right level of containment
GC/MS – A Second Opinion
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
The suggestion is often heard in troubleshooting or, proactively, in validating critical cleaning processes.
Ask the Facilities Guy: Cost-effective and Efficient Way to Deal with AMC
By Richard Bilodeau, PE
Question: What’s the most efficient and cost-effective way for a growing company to deal with airborne molecular contamination (AMC) through the life cycle of a manufacturing facility?
Airborne Molecular Contamination Monitoring: Optimization Strategies to Ensure Environmental Control
By Dan Rodier, Ph.D.
Yield losses due to airborne molecular contamination (AMC) issues started to emerge in semiconductor manufacturing over 20 years ago.
Genetic-based Strain Typing within Reach
By Tina Sturgill
Outsourced rep-PCR Technology Delivers Accurate, Affordable Microbial Identification
Ozone O-O-O My!
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
The world has a love/hate relationship with ozone. Ozone (O3) is a “super” oxidizer, almost as reactive as fluorine. This reactivity makes ozone either desirable or undesirable, depending on the situation.
The Fourth State of Matter—Part 2
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is a powerful tool for critical cleaning, controlling contamination, and achieving the appropriate surface quality.
The Fourth State of Matter
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
We usually think of three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
Medical Device Cleanliness Standards—ASTM Update
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
Surface quality and cleanliness are critical for medical devices. As people live longer and continue to be more active, higher and more reliable device performance is expected.
How It Works: How Polymeric Floor Coverings Reduce Airborne Contaminants
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PROBLEM: A major medical device manufacturer operating in hybrid manufacturing areas was using blue tack mats to capture dirt from operatives’ “street shoes” as they entered the gowning room.
Point of View: Contamination Control -- A Mindset?
By Raymond K. Schneider, P.E.
Is there such a thing as a contamination control mindset? A quick web scan for the definition of “mindset” came up with a couple I thought interesting. Simply put, “a way of thinking about things” or, possibly more ominously, “a set of beliefs of a person (or perhaps a company) that affects the outcome of all their endeavors.”
Sources and Financial Impact of Microbial Contamination
By Jeffrey I. Becker, CIHM
Organizations experiencing contamination issues know that contamination may cause serious financial risks to their bottom line.
Ultrasonics: Sound or Fury?
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
“We know our ultrasonic system is working properly, because it’s making plenty of noise. Why is the cleaning process ineffective?” This recurring question has vexed manufacturers for decades.
"Tipping Point" Cleaning
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
The terms critical cleaning and precision cleaning are often used interchangeably.
Basics of Ultrasonics
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
You don’t clean without energy. It takes energy to overcome the forces binding contaminants to the substrate.
Estimating Hydrochloric Acid and Ammonium Hydroxide Loss
By Mark Caulfield, C. W. Extrand, Sung In Moon
Calculations suggest break-through from semiconductor bulk chemical distribution systems occurs in a matter of days and steady state permeation accounts for several milliliters of chemical loss each day.
The Microbial ID Breakthrough
By Dennis Champagne
How DNA Sequencing Services Help Prevent Catastrophic Cleanroom Shutdowns
Point of View: Why Clean the Cleanroom?
By Barbara Kanegsberg, Ed Kanegsberg
You are probably thinking: because we have to. Typical responses relate to IEST, ISO, USP, or specific customer-driven requirements.