Monthly Archives: September 2004

“We are excited to pass on the cost savings from producing these documents in digital formats to our customers and to our industry,” commented David Bergman, IPC vice president of standards, technology and international relations. “This should allow more companies to purchase standards in the format of their choice.”

(September 3, 2004) San Jose, Calif.&#8212The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported this week that worldwide sales of semiconductors rose to $18.0 billion for the month of July. Although this number is below forecasted sales of $18.2 billion, it represents an increase of 37.9 percent from the $13 billion reported in July 2003.

Net income is expected to range between $12.0 and $12.2 million, or $0.25 to $0.26 per diluted share. The company had previously guided for total third quarter 2004 revenues of $20.1 to $20.5 million, net income of $10.0 to $10.3 million and earnings per diluted share of approximately $0.21.

(September 1, 2004) Northbrook, Ill.&#8212IPC&#8212Association Connecting Electronics Industries has lowered prices on single-user standards and specifications purchased on CD or through electronic download. The company made this move to increase the demand and accessibility of its standards.

September 2, 2004 – ASML Holding NV, Veldhoven, The Netherlands, and Tokyo-based Nikon Corp. have mutually agreed to suspend legal proceedings in the US and Asia concerning disputed IP for lithography systems.

The resulting settlement involves an undisclosed payment from ASML to Nikon and a cross-license agreement. A binding memorandum of understanding is expected later this month. The two had been in litigation since 2001, with patent infringement allegations filed by both sides.

September 2, 2004 – Renesas Technology Corp. will sell its Chitose, Japan, factory to Mitsumi Electric Co. in December, said the companies and news reports. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The plant, with monthly production capacity of 14,000 eight-inch micro-controller units, will continue its shipments to Renesas even after the transfer.

Renesas is a joint venture set up by Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. in April 2003 to integrate their chipmaking operations.

Sept. 2, 2004 – Those who wish to compete in what’s being billed as the first global contest for nano-based business ideas have until Sept. 27 to enter.

The International Nanotechnology Business Idea Competition, whose deadline was extended from Sept. 1 to give researchers additional time to enter, will award cash prizes of $50,000, $15,000 and $10,000 to the best ideas.

The three winners will receive help writing a business plan, and Scott Rickert, Nanofilm LLC’s chief executive, will join the advisory board of the team taking the top prize. Each of the 25 finalists will be invited to present their idea to a panel of judges at NANO Week,  which begins Oct. 25 in Cleveland.

Winners will be announced Oct. 29. The entry fee is $100 per team, but there is no limit to the number of submissions a team may enter. Competition organizers are Purdue University, Case Western Reserve University and the Nano-Network, a group of scientists, entrepreneurs and financiers to boost nano research and commercialization.

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EDMONTON, Alberta, Sept. 2, 2004 – Delegates to COMS 2004 found out that, while killer MEMS applications remain an elusive target, a thriving nano/MEMS community continues to grow. Further, venture capitalists are keeping the sector on their radar screens.

With more than 320 delegates registered at the annual Commercialization of Micro and Nano Systems Conference (COMS), held this year in the Canadian city of Edmonton, Alberta, those in attendance were told that small-tech gold isn’t totally out of reach.

An Australian success story illustrated how one of the country’s Cooperative Research Centers (CRC) has been able to use micro devices to assist national Olympic aspirations. More importantly, the CRC managed to turn out a commercially viable product.

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At the same time, IntelliSense Software Corp., based in Woburn, Mass., announced it had formed a strategic alliance with New York’s Infotonics Technology Center. The goal is to lower entry barriers into the MEMS marketplace.

Those developments came as COMS 2004 kicked off with a look at the state of the industry.

In the fast-paced nano/MEMS field, companies have to find their position and strategy if they’re going to succeed, said Kees Eijkel, president Micro and Nanotechnology Commercialization Education Foundation (MANCEF). Eijkel added that there is also a need to work together and learn from each other if progress is to be made.

Arthur Carty, National Science Advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, echoed the words. Carty stressed that the sector’s traditional “first to the post” model needs to be replaced with one where emerging innovation research is shared in order to bolster the entire field.

On the venture capital side, the atmosphere was described as “very healthy and very friendly to small tech,” according to Alexander Wong, a partner with California-based Apax Partners. Based on his experience, he said people are investing in small tech “because it’s the next big thing.”

Even though high-risk levels are still associated with nano/MEMS investments, Wong said the bigger issue is the “valley of death” where companies falter after what appears to be a promising startup phase. “It is unclear if (some of these) nanotech ideas will have customer pull. We need to find nanotech products that have pull,” said Wong.

Also expressing concern about risk was COMS 2004 co-chair Chris Lumb, president of Edmonton’s Micralyne, a successful MEMS developer and manufacturer.

“Just because you build it, it doesn’t mean they will come. It’s not easy to make money,” said Lumb. “I don’t mean to sound negative. We believe in the future. There are many niche applications that will drive the industry and our growth (Micralyne) has come from niche applications.”

The bursting of telecom’s optical bubble did leave a sour taste with end users, said Lumb. “There’s a real reluctance as they got burned a couple of years ago.”

To counter this, Lumb stressed that developments must lead to manufacturing and emphasized that the focus must be placed on customers, not just investment dollars.

Meanwhile, he said companies should not count on industry growth to meet the rosy expectations offered by some analysts. “Directionally, the analysts are correct, but their hard numbers are incorrect.”

Hard numbers at the first COMS conference in 1994, also held in Alberta but at the mountain resort town of Banff, called for a MEMS industry valued at $8 billion by the year 2000. In 2002, though, MEMS sales were under $4 billion.

One attempt to boost those figures is coming from Australia’s CRC model, where researchers, government departments and agencies, along with business, have come together to form some 70 such entities that are partially funded by federal government dollars.

The country’s CRC for micro technology, with programs covering fabrication technology, micro device packaging and systems integration or small smart systems, safety and health microsystems, and microfluidics, has done more than just assist Australia’s Olympic hopes.

With a $64-million budget over its seven-year lifespan, this CRC used small devices to monitor athletes’ rowing performances. Tiny sensors were placed on the boats and rowers’ bodies. Data was relayed back to coaches and results were used to improve velocity.

In its fifth year of operation, this CRC includes the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Prior to the Olympics, the devices were deployed at the World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland, and a variation of that information went directly to Swiss TV for broadcast of the boat’s performance live to the public.

Gold was struck twice as Australia came in first in the Men’s Quad Skull while the broadcast application was successful as well. After that, Australia snagged gold, silver and bronze rowing medals in Athens at the Olympics last month.

While Clive Davenport, CEO of the micro technology CRC, didn’t come out and say that the devices were responsible for the Olympic success, he noted that initial trial runs showed the devices fine-tuned the rowers’ performance by improving their sporting technique.

An agreement with the AIS meant this monitoring technology could not be rolled out until after Athens. Now media and broadcast applications are being actively pursued while pushes will be made into the elite athlete and coaching market as well as versions for amateur athletes and consumers.

Nor will Australia rest on its success so far, said Davenport. A new micro-nanotech CRC to start in 2005 will look at using this technology as a starting to point to boost performance levels in other sports such as cycling and rugby.

The other MEMS announcement at COMS 2004 sees IntelliSense linking up with Infotonics. “Our alliance with Infotonics is aimed with providing companies across the United States with a total market solution at a low cost,” IntelliSense CEO Sandeep Akkaraju said in a press release.

Together, the two companies will offer a range that includes IntelliSense’s CAD/Design tools and Photonics’ MEMS chip fabrication, packaging, testing and pilot line manufacturing.

Just as importantly, added Robert Andosca, IntelliSense’s director of business development, the companies are working on an educational component, initially to be housed at Photonics, to teach and promote MEMS courses at the undergraduate level. The goal is to start the courses in January 2005 and roll them out into the New York state school system, said Andosca.

September 1, 2004 – Hitachi Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., and Toshiba Corp. said that they will jointly produce LCD panels for flat-panel TVs, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun America Inc. This joint venture will build a plant at Hitachi Displays Ltd.’s site in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture, at an estimated cost of around 110 billion yen.

The new plant is expected to start making LCD panels using sixth-generation glass substrates sometime between April and June of 2006. Its output is forecast to reach the equivalent of 2.5 million 32-inch LCD panels in 2008.

The consumer electronics giants will establish in January an LCD panel joint venture with a capitalization of 60-70 billion yen. Hitachi is expected to contribute 50% of the capital, with Matsushita and Toshiba each chipping in 15 billion yen. An interest of up to 5 billion yen may be held by LCD panel production equipment makers.

Measuring 180 x 150cm, sixth-generation glass substrates are big enough to make eight 32-inch panels apiece. Their 4.5-generation counterparts, now used at Hitachi Displays’ Mobara plant, can produce only two 32-inch panels apiece because they measure just 92 x 73cm.

“The new joint venture will focus on 26- and 32-inch LCD panels and work toward securing slightly more than 20% shares in the respective markets,” Hitachi president Etsuhiko Shoyama told a news conference Tuesday.

The alliance will not cover flat-panel TVs with screen sizes of 40 inches and larger because Hitachi and Matsushita aim to focus on plasma TVs for that market sector, while Toshiba is working toward selling products based on technology it is developing with Canon Inc.

Each of the three partners in the LCD panel venture is required to purchase certain proportions of the plant’s output under their agreement.

Sept. 1, 2004 – Nanochip Inc. (News, Web) has licensed semiconductor memory technology developed by Ovonyx Inc. in MEMS-based data storage systems.

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Ovonyx’s memory process has been commercially developed in rewritable CD and DVD optical memory disks. Fremont, Calif.-based Nanochip said in a written release that Ovonyx’s materials support ultra-high-density memory chips that Nanochip is developing for such devices as mobile phones, PDAs, digital cameras and laptops.

Nanochip said its MEMS-based chips, as opposed to the electronic chips in traditional flash memory cards, enable faster data manipulation and higher storage densities.

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Sept. 1, 2004 – The National Science Foundation has awarded University of Oregon $402,000 for a new electron beam lithography and nanoimprint lithography systems. UO is contributing $172,000 of the $574,000 price tag for the new equipment.

UO Professors Mark Lonergan and Jim Hutchison were among the co-principal investigators listed on the grant application, giving an indication of the heavy use the systems will experience. Others listed on the application represent Portland State University and Oregon State University.

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The systems will be housed in CAMCOR, the university’s Center for Advanced Materials Characterization of Oregon. There are four different facilities, which are physically located in sites across the UO science complex and that operate under the umbrella of the Center.

CAMCOR has acquired a comprehensive array of instruments used for characterizing new materials. The facility is available to people on and off campus, and to several large and small Oregon companies that routinely use these instruments.

One of NSF’s many funding objectives is to finance state-of-the-art instrumentation for cutting-edge research, Hutchison said in a phone interview.

“What you have to do is make sure the funding agency believes it will be a good return on their investment. The NSF mission is to support basic research,” he said. This grant also fits in with University of Oregon’s strength in molecular nanotechnology — bottom-up assembly of materials.

The grant will affect many different scientific programs and technologies that will move toward commercialization, although this particular grant isn’t expected to have an immediate impact.

“This kind of lithography capability provides us with the finest features of top down patterning,” Hutchison said. “It will allow us to bridge through between the outside macro world and our nanoworld. This is a really key component of the nanofab facility that we’re putting on campus here.”

The Center is part of Oregon’s recently inaugurated Oregon Nanoscience & Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), whose associated researchers at UO, Oregon State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., are working on a number of nanotech and microtech projects.

UO is planning to build new facilities for nanofabrication research at an UO branch of ONAMI that is expected to begin construction in Spring 2005.

“This is the cornerstone of ONAMI’s nanofab facility,” Christine Gramer, OU technical outreach officer, said in a telephone interview. “It will follow the CAMCOR model we have used [for several years].”

The equipment “will be considered ONAMI and part of the nanofabrication facility. It will be a big part of our contribution to ONAMI,” Gramer said.

The money is on hand and researchers are in the process of talking to a number of manufacturers, which include any company that makes a scanning electron microscope, Hutchison said.

Administrators of ONAMI learned in July this year that they are in the running for $10 million in federal defense grants for 2005. They expect the additional funding for two current federal defense projects that link nanotechnology with microscale systems.

UO is taking responsibility for the process of nailing down the $5 million awarded for a US Air Force project. The project is for the development of nanomaterials and manufacturing methods to meet the military’s need to protect human health and minimize harm to the environment.

The second of ONAMI’s defense grants is $5 million from the U.S. Army to continue development of miniaturized tactical energy systems, including portable power systems for military use in the field, and power systems for remote, autonomous sensors. OSU is taking responsibility for that grant.

New Products


September 1, 2004

Compiled by Laureen Belleville

Natural gas leak detector

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A natural gas detector, the Mini Gas Sniffer is designed for simplicity and one-hand operation. The unit is equipped with a highly sensitive LED scale and beeper to pinpoint small leaks of gaseous hydrocarbons (methane, propane, butane, LPG and so on) from piping or appliances. Features include an eight-inch long flexible probe for inaccessible, hard-to-reach points; a range of 0 to 640 ppm; a response time of less than two seconds and sensitivity to 40 ppm. The product provides 25 hours of continuous operation. E Instruments Group Langhorne, PA www.einstrumentsgroup.com

Pure water system

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RiOs systems provide up to several thousand liters per day of Type III laboratory-grade water, suitable for laboratory applications such as general rinsing and feedwater to washing machines, autoclaves or a Milli-Q ultrapure water system. The systems provide complete control over pure water production, distribution loop components, water storage and monitoring functions from a single unit. Additionally, the systems incorporate advanced purification and monitoring technologies. The company reports that built-in water quality monitoring ensures the product water is within specifications. The systems are available in product flow rates of 30, 50, 100, 150 and 200 L/hr. Millipore Billerica, MA www.millipore.com

Disinfection meter

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The Bromometer Duo uses the company's DPD chlorine and bromine test methods to offer a fast, simple check on disinfection and sterilization levels. It can test bromine in the range 0-10 mg/l and chlorine in the range 0-5 mg/l, with a resolution of 0.01 mg/l for both ranges. After dissolving the reagent in a sample, the sample tube is placed in the meter and a single button is pressed. The reading is then displayed on a 10-mm LCD screen. The blank reading can be held in memory for testing multiple samples. The product is powered by two 1.5V batteries, which the company says should last for 20,000 readings, and features automatic switch-off. Palintest USA Erlanger, KY www.palintestusa.com

Automation software

With FastPic Parts Locator (PL) software stock selecting accuracy can be improved to the 99.9 percent level in cleanroom manufacturing storage and retrieval operations while reducing employee walk and search time, according to the company. Reportedly, inventory management also is simplified with the software's power to track and report stock quantities, eliminating or reducing errors in replacement stock purchasing decisions. Operators of automated storage and retrieval systems simply enter a part number into the system and the stored items are automatically delivered to them. FastPic Systems Westbrook, ME www.FastPicSystems.com

Dispensers

Write-On labeling tape dispensers can be used with one hand. As each new label is advanced and cut off on the serrated edge, a fresh length of label tape is positioned on the writing platform. Dispensers are supplied with a roll of white Scienceware F13463 series Write-On tape. The company also offers the Write-On benchtop tape dispenser, which has a plastic-coated, weighted steel base with rubber feet to prevent slipping on the benchtop. The Economy Write-On tape dispenser is designed for lighter duty use and can be used on the benchtop or wall mounted. Bel-Art Products Inc. Pequannock, NJ www.belart.com

Differential pressure controller

Used for pressure, velocity and flow applications, the Series DH DigiHelic differential pressure controller achieves a 0.5 percent full-scale accuracy on ranges from 5 in w.c. to 100 in w.c. The unit provides a 4-20 mA process output, 2 SPDT relays with adjustable dead bands and selection of pressure, velocity or flow operation. Dwyer Instruments Inc. Michigan City, IN www.dwyer-inst.com

Garment white paper

A white paper titled “The Dirty Dozen: 12 ways to cut the expense, time and stress of cleanroom garment programs” contains information on operating cost-effective cleanroom garment programs and shows how to provide a quality experience for garment wearers while keeping expenses low. CleanFit Systems Portland, OR www.cleanfitsystems.com

Air filter

Tough Air Filters protect electronic components that depend on forced air thermal management to keep them cool and functioning. The filters are designed to withstand harsh environments, including those where high temperature, high humidity, chemicals or solvents are present. They incorporate Quadrafoam II media, a coated polyether urethane formulation that is rigid and sustains its open-pored cellular structure and maintains performance characteristics despite the presence of heat and moisture. Universal Air Filter Sauget, IL www.uaf.com

Thin film calorimeter

The TFC-9000 rapidly measures the exothermic heat reaction from a polymerizing sample through a highly sensitive sensor. It performs an analysis of the incoming data to produce meaningful results. After the 10- to 20-second analysis, the unit displays four key measured test results: time to reach peak temperature, peak temperature in BTUs, slope of the temperature rise and total energy emitted by curing reaction in BTUs. UV Process Supply Inc. Chicago, IL www.uvprocess.com

Temperature/humidity data logger

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Designed to meet the needs of various instrumentation engineers and quality managers, both in laboratory and fieldwork, a new series of HVAC Mini DataLoggers includes the MiniLog T (temperature) and MiniLog T+RH (temperature and relative humidity). Both feature an acquisition sample interval from one second to two hours and TRLog software and PC interface cradle. They offer ranges up to 185 degrees F and user-defined maximum and minimum alarms. E Instruments Group Langhorne, PA www.einstrumentsgroup.com

Biodegradable bag

The EcoSol Bio Pouch is a delivery package for powders and non-aqueous liquids that dissolves immediately in water solutions. According to the manufacturer, the pouch becomes a harmless, non-toxic aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol. It is readily biodegradable and converts to carbon dioxide and water within 30 days. The pouches are available in a variety of sizes from a small sachet to a 30-gallon bag with a 1.5-mils thickness and improve the accuracy of proper chemical dosages. In addition to enhancing dispensing methods for cleaners, detergents and degreasers, the pouches offer a more environmental solution for laundry bags in institutions and hospitals, disposable cases in cosmetics and dispensing pouches for pigments and concrete additives. Cortec Corporation White Bear Lake, MN www.CortecVCI.com

Contact plate

The contact plate is a petri dish with a diameter of 60 mm, slightly overfilled with a nutrient agar. The petri plate has a grid molded into the bottom to aid in the counting of microorganisms. The Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) with Tween contact plate is useful in monitoring total microbial contamination and to assist in determining surface sanitation. TSA with Lecithin and Tween is available as a 15- x 60-mm contact plate that is available double bagged and gamma irradiated. Hardy Diagnostics Santa Maria, CA www.hardydiagnostics.com

Evaporator

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Designed with needle height that is adjustable for 96 individual or 384 stainless-steel needles, the ZipVap evaporator allows fast dry down of 96-Well and 384-Well microplates. The unit holds standard microplates or deep well plates, and flow control is adjusted with a fine needle valve. The heated holder can be removed for room-temperature operation, and the small footprint of the evaporator conserves bench space. The system is compatible with TFA, DMSO and standard solvents. It is available in nylon with a maximum temperature of 100 degrees C or polypropylene with a maximum temperature of 80 degrees C. BioTech Solutions Mt. Laurel, NJ www.biotechsolutions.org

Curtain walls

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Clean Curtains enable separation between cleaning and processing to save time and product. The curtains have a slick surface that is able to shed water and soils and are available either in a 40 mil PVC, 40 mil USDA grade PVC or 40 mil antimicrobial PVC. To eliminate trapped contamination, the curtains have welded seams and do not have sewn joints or hems. Curtain panels are clear from top to bottom and they overlap to prevent wash breakthrough. The 304 stainless steel roller and track assembly are designed for easy cleaning. Goff's Enterprises Inc. Pewaukee, WI www.goffscurtainwalls.com

Single-use process system

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The modular, single-use process system features entirely disposable product contact surfaces, eliminating CIP/SIP and cross-contamination between batches. The systems have a capacity range of from 5 to 10,000 liters. The core formulation bag includes a patented disposable mixing device that generates efficient, thorough mixing. Mixing speeds can be varied to suit formulation requirements. The single-use components include bioprocess bags (powder, delivery, mixing and fill bags), associated ports and tubing and disposable filter sets. Downstream components and the filter train come connected and pre-sterilized, if required. Alfa Laval Biokinetics Inc. Philadelphia, PA www.alfalaval.us

Thin air filters

While they are reportedly as much as 70 percent thinner than standard air filters, the <1/4-inch thick Ultra-Thin Air Filters meet the filtration performance and flammability requirements of Telcordia NEBS, CE and UL. Specialized Quadrafoam media is used in roll-formed, aluminum-framed filter assemblies to fit limited-space environments. Frame options include edge-to-edge designs constructed with less-intrusive channel housings. Edge-to-edge technology maximizes the flow of clean, cooling air along interior walls of the chassis. Universal Air Filter Sauget, IL www.uaf.com

Tachometer

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A portable, compact tachometer, the Mini Speed Pro – CT50 is designed for simplicity and one-hand operation. Accuracy is rated as +/-1% of rdg. Features include display of two parameters simultaneously, a hold function, min and max values and unit selection. A protective rubber boot is available upon request. E Instruments Group Langhorne, PA

Critical environment controller

The Envirotrak IV controller controls a variety of equipment and processes used in critical environment facilities such as laboratories, fume hoods and airflow and pressurization control systems in BSL suites, isolation and containment rooms. The controller features a 25-µsec scan rate, 1MB of Flash memory and 1MB of RAM and can be used virtually anywhere precise control of room temperature, pressure, humidity, airflow or any combination must be maintained. The product incorporates up to 48 I/O control points, and may be programmed to scan each individual point in any sequence without imposing limits on the application or number of downloadable graphic programs. Laboratory Control Systems Inc. Scranton, PA www.labcontrols.com

Humidity transmitter

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The HT-737 is an advanced digital transmitter that measures relative humidity, temperature, dew point and absolute humidity. It has RS-232 or RS-485 output capability. Packaged in a rugged housing, the transmitter features a programmable micro-controller as well as digital zero and span adjustment. The HT-761 analog version provides a linear 0 to 1 VDC or 0 to 10 VDC output of ambient relative humidity and temperature. It operates in a temperature range from 32 degrees F to 176 degrees F. This unit is digitally adjustable with no potentiometers. The unit has completely sealed electronics in a stainless steel housing. Ohmic Instruments Easton, MD www.ohmicinstruments.com

Equipment catalog

The Test Equipment Catalog offers a selection of products for calibrating and testing pressure, temperature and electrical equipment. Featured in the catalog are modular pressure calibrators, analog and digital gauges, pneumatic and hydraulic hand pumps, precision manometers, digital thermometers, RTD and T/C calibrators, multimeters and switch testers. Dwyer Instruments Inc. Michigan City, IN www.dwyer-inst.com

General products catalog

A new catalog showcases UVC emitters for mold and microbial control, enhanced IAQ and energy savings. The eight-page catalog describes the company's line of UVC devices and accessories for commercial, healthcare, food processing, school, industrial and residential applications. Life cycle cost information, UVC output data and other technical information are included. Steril-Aire Inc. Cerritos, CA www.steril-aire.com

Modular workstation

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Series 8000 modular workstation systems can be configured in a variety of heights and lengths to best suit specific needs. They are available in five standard industry widths and in three heights up to 84 inches. Work surfaces are available in standard laminate or static dissipative. Arlink Burlington, ON, Canada www.arlink.com

Storage cabinet

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Enclosed vertical storage cabinets are designed for critical manufacturing, assembly and storage areas where products and components must be securely stored in a dust- and dirt-free environment. The NSF-approved cabinets feature a chemically resistant, easy-to-clean stainless-steel exterior. The cabinet body is made of 18-gauge stainless steel, with interior stainless-steel shelves adjustable on four-inch vertical increments. Enclosed vertical storage shelves are available with a flat top or an alternative sloped top providing laminar flow to meet stricter cleanroom requirements. Eagle MHC Clayton, DE www.eaglegrp.com

Water treatment

Electrodeionization (EDI) technology provides high-capacity boiler feed water. According to the company, EDI is a continuous process for producing high-purity water using ion-exchange membranes, resins and electricity. Direct current is the driving force for removing ionized and ionizable species from the feed stream, while continuously regenerating the resin pack. Reportedly, EDI, in combination with reverse osmosis as pretreatment, strips away more than 99.9 percent of feed water ions. Ionics Incorporated Watertown, MA www.ionics.com

Gas flow calibrator

The Cal=Trak SL-500 gas flow calibrator offers a standardized accuracy of +/-0.4 percent in a portable unit. The dimensionally based primary accuracy of the product is backed by a rigorous uncertainty analysis. Field rugged, it is used in the manufacture, inspection, validation and recalibration of mass flow controllers, flow meters and other varieties of flow equipment in the 5-sccm to 50-slpm range. Sierra Instruments Inc. Monterey, CA www.sierrainstruments.com

Swab applicators

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Used in clinical and cleanroom environments, the glass-free Puritan Popule applicator incorporates a swab and liquid solution in one package. Users simply snap the seal to saturate the swab and dispose after use. The Puritan X-PressPrep contains a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% deionized water. Puritan Medical Products Company LLC Guilford, ME www.puritanmedproducts.com

UVC kit

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The Fan Coil UVC Kit provides mold and IAQ control, energy savings and reduced maintenance. Each kit contains a UVC emitter and power supply plus all necessary hardware components to retrofit a fan coil with UVC. According to the company, the kit fits all major fan coil brands. Emitter tubes come in a choice of six lengths from 16 inches to 42 inches. Installed across from the cooling coil, the emitters irradiate high output UVC energy to eliminate surface contaminants and reduce airborne microbial contaminants. Steril-Aire Inc. Cerritos, CA www.steril-aire.com

Thermocouple logger

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The HOBO U12 thermocouple logger is a self-contained, 12-bit resolution data logger used to measure and record temperatures from a variety of thermocouple probes. The unit can accept any J, K, S or T thermocouple and provides high-accuracy measurements over wide temperature ranges. Users can choose either Windows or Mac OS X software to plot and analyze data. The direct USB interface enables high-speed data offload (43,000 measurements in 30 seconds). Onset Computer Corporation Bourne, MA www.onsetcomp.com

Universal carriers

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Universal carriers provide Remstar Vertical Carousels a flexibility of design that makes them easily adaptable in meeting changing cleanroom manufacturing storage and retrieval requirements, according to the company. Vertical carousel carriers are available in a range of heights, widths and depths to meet any parts storage requirement and can be configured to hold a variety of container sizes. Reportedly, options can be combined to create a customized storage system for cleanroom applications. The system of vertically arranged rotating carriers brings the exact pick/store position to the operator. Remstar International Inc. Westbrook ME www.Remstar.com

Flow controller

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The NT Integrated Flow Controller (IFC) is available with DeviceNet communications, a protocol that provides a cost-effective method of linking several factory automation devices to a network. The network increases flow controller uptime by using advanced diagnostics available via the network. For example, the company explains that users can automate and optimize chemical processes for consistent batch control, bath filling, chemical blending and chemical spiking applications. The NT IFC can be used in various types of wafer processing applications, including bulk chemical delivery, CMP polishing, cleaning systems, etching systems and wet processing systems. Entegris Inc. Chaska, MN www.entegris.com

Panel meter indicator

The LCI132, 3 1/2 digital panel meter indicators, housed in a compact 1/32 DIN package, can be programmed to the scale needed by the user. Other standard features include high-accuracy and IP65 (NEMA 4X) front panel. Inputs are available for Process (0 to 10 V, 4 to 20 mA) and AC volts, AC amps, DC volts and DC amps. Optional 4/48 VAC operation is available. Love Controls division of Dwyer Instruments Inc. Michigan City, IN www.love-controls.com