By Pete Singer, Editorial Director
Semiconductor devices are manufactured using the most advanced processes and materials known to man and require levels of purity that measures contamination in parts per quadrillion (ppq). Achieving these precise levels of purity requires filtration solutions that can prevent nanolevel particles, bubbles and ions from reaching the semiconductor substrate during manufacturing. Polymeric membranes are the core material which is used to capture these contaminants. These solutions help advanced high-tech manufacturers improve productivity, performance and technology to develop next-generation semiconductors and electronics.
Entegris is enabling those technologies by solving the most difficult purification, process control and material protection challenges in advanced semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
Earlier this year, Entegris, completed its acquisition of ATMI, Inc. The combined company, which employs 3,500 people worldwide, has pro forma 2013 revenues of more than $1 billion.
Bertrand Loy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Entegris said, “As our customers continue to develop and ramp new, ever more complex and advanced manufacturing processes, we are positioned to leverage our innovative energy and unique strengths to bring a broader portfolio of yield-enhancing solutions to market faster than before.”
Loy said the company is almost doubling the amount committed to R&D, saying it was necessary to obtain the “efficiency and scale to afford the wide infrastructure” required by today’s semiconductor industry. He said the Entegris/ATMI combined company was focused on more advanced chemistries and more advanced cleanliness.
Entegris recently inaugurated its new i2M Center for Advanced Materials Science (“The i2M Center”) in Bedford, Massachusetts. The goal of the facility is to develop breakthrough filtration and specialty coatings technologies.
Representing an investment of more than $55 million, The i2M Center is one of the world’s leading R&D and manufacturing centers for filtration media, metal membranes, electrostatic clamps (e-Chucks) and proprietary advanced, low-temperature coatings. Entegris’ technologies achieve the nano-level purity required in advanced manufacturing environments by controlling particles and other contaminants.
Loy said: “i2M stands for ‘ideas to market’ and we intend for this facility to be our flagship innovation center for solving very difficult materials science challenges. Our customers run extremely complex manufacturing processes and the i2M Center reflects our commitment to developing truly innovative solutions to support their process advancements.” Approximately 100 professionals will work at i2M Center, many of whom hold doctorates and advanced degrees in material/separation science and chemical engineering.
The Entegris i2M Center for Advanced Materials Science