Compiled by Angela Godwin
In just about every clean manufacturing process, filtration is an integral part of ensuring that the process, and ultimately the final product, is free of contaminants. Whether it’s single or multistage, coarse or fine, small-scale or industrial filtration that’s required, there are a host of products and technologies to choose from. This month, we’ve compiled a selection of some of the newest filtration products now on the market.
Clean, safe filter changeout
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Mykrolis Corporation has introduced the Solaris® DVP Dual Transducer Manifold, the latest addition to the Solaris product line. Solaris DVP offers rapid, clean and safe filter changeout in seconds without the use of tools, limiting the handling of hazardous chemicals during installation and disposal processes. The system’s advanced filtration technology provides integrated upstream and downstream pressure transducers for online monitoring of system and filter pressure drop to protect CMP slurries, thus allowing precise monitoring to prevent early or late filter changeouts. Its small footprint is designed to easily retrofit into existing tools and CMP delivery systems to lower the total cost of ownership by minimizing customization and maximizing process uptime.
Mykrolis Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.mykrolis.com
Filters for copper plating baths
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Pall Corporation has introduced its Ultipleat filter technology for critical copper plating baths. The new Ultipleat® CET filter increases flow rates up to 30 percent over conventional filters. Designed to remove particles down to 50 nm and below, the Ultipleat CET filter combines Pall’s proprietary crescent-shaped design with its patented asymmetric, nanoporous membrane material. This complementary technology combination allows exceptional removal efficiency at flow rates up to 20 liters per minute with 2 psi (0.14 kg/cm2) of differential pressure. The high-flow, hydrophilic filter cartridge is compatible with ambient temperature copper plating chemistries and additives. The new filter cartridges are available in multiple sizes and grades, all of which have been designed for fast turnover rates in recirculating copper plating baths.
Pall Microelectronics
East Hills, N.Y.
www.pall.com
Filtration accessories
Millipore has recently announced the availability of its new group of compact filtration accessories, including the Titer Plate Shaker, Millivac™ Maxi and Mini Vacuum Pumps, Chibitan II Personal Centrifuge and Milli-Stir Stirring Plate. These four laboratory tools not only save valuable bench space with small footprints but also complement a complete range of filtration solutions. Compatible with Millipore’s MultiScreen® filter plates, the Titer Plate Shaker regulates shaking speeds from 40 to 1100 rpm. A 1/8-inch circular orbit minimizes cross-talk between wells for reliable and accurate assay results. Easy-to-use and maintain, the Millivac Maxi and Mini vacuum pumps provide a consistent source of vacuum to filter large volumes and viscous solutions, as well as water and aqueous solutions. Compared to conventional models, the Millivac pumps are designed to eliminate vibrations and operate noise-free. Lightweight, the Chibitan II Personal Centrifuge can process up to six centrifugal tubes at once. The centrifuge is optimized for use with Millipore’s Ultrafree®-MC centrifugal filter and Microcon® device. Ideal for use on a benchtop or in a laminar flow hood, the Milli-Stir Stirring Plate mixes up to 800 mL of liquid at speeds from 15 to 1500 rpm. The Milli-Stir automatically reverses direction every 30 seconds to ensure better mixing. In addition, its advanced magnetic-coil technology offers durability by excluding any moving parts used in traditional stirring plates.
Millipore Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.millipore.com
Prefiltration and clarification
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Meissner introduces its new Protec™ filter line for prefiltration and clarification of critical pharmaceutical and biological fluids. This filter line provides excellent protection and service life extension of more expensive, downstream final filters. Protec prefilters have been optimized for applications such as: buffers, serum and other blood products, biologicals, biopharmaceuticals, cell and tissue culture media, large volume parenterals (LVP), ophthalmics and small volume parenterals (SVP). Protec prefilters are 0.5 μm rated and provide high dirt-holding capacity and high flow rates, and are available in an RF and RM version. The Protec RF contains a single layer of borosilicate glass fiber media. The RM version combines an outer layer of borosilicate glass fiber media with an inner layer of PVDF membrane to additionally provide precise particle retention. The Protec filter line is available for scale-up from laboratory to full-scale manufacturing, and Protec is offered in a variety of configurations, including: capsules, high-capacity UltraCap® capsules and cartridges.
Meissner Filtration Products, Inc.
Camarillo, Calif.
www.meissner.com
Advanced chemical filtration
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Mykrolis Corporation has introduced the Optimizer® C47, the latest addition to the Optimizer product line. The Optimizer C47 enables R&D evaluation of Mykrolis membrane technology for photoresist and advanced chemical filtration on a laboratory scale using small volumes of chemicals. The C47 accommodates a wide variety of Mykrolis membranes, including hydrophobic and hydrophilic special clean membranes for applications requiring lower organic content.
Mykrolis Corporation
Billerica, Mass.
www.mykrolis.com
Disc filter holder
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Meissner’s easy-to-use, electropolished, stainless-steel, 47 mm disc filter holder is ideal for laboratory and analytical filtration of liquids or gases. The holder’s sanitary design eliminates threaded connections that could harbor bacteria and trap contaminants. Durable upstream and downstream PTFE-coated support screens preserve membrane integrity, especially in situations where fluid backflow could occur. The support screens also allow accurate integrity testing of membranes without concern for pressure-induced membrane distortions. The entire unit can be autoclaved or steam sterilized with the filter in place. A sanitary valve provides the opportunity for sampling, draining and upstream venting of gas that could block flow through the filter. The filter holder’s tapered body facilitates fluid drainage and cleaning.
Meissner Filtration Products, Inc.
Camarillo, Calif.
www.meissner.com