Particles...

08/01/2000

Cleanroom takes aim at Listeria

The food division of Steris Corp., Kansas State University and Stork RMS-Protecon Corp. have designed a cleanroom around a condensing steam-based system for pasteurizing and ridding ready-to-eat meat of Listeria monocytogenes.

"In this cleanroom environment, we can achieve the highest probability that food does not become recontaminated by microbial pathogens after final pasteurization before packing," says Steris Chairman Bill Sanford. This will allow for a more accurate evaluation of general microbiological and quality effects of condensed, steam-based pasteurization treatments of ready-to-eat products.—MAD

Taiwan chipmakers report little damage from quake

The most recent earthquake in Taiwan had little effect on semiconductor manufacturing, industry sources say. A quake with a magnitude of 6.7 on the Richter scale shook Taiwan June 11, causing minor damage. A second quake with a magnitude of about 4.3 struck the next day.

The earthquake of September 1999, which killed 2,400 people and caused major delays in semiconductor manufacturing, had a magnitude of 7.6, almost 10 times as severe as the June 11 event. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. says it had less than half a day's loss in wafer moves and normal production returned quickly. Winbond Electronics Corp. says about two percent of wafers in the production process were affected. The Central News Agency reported that United Microelectronics Corp. also suffered no power loss and quickly returned to normal operation.—LB

Wilshire Technologies signs definitive agreement of sale with Foamex Asia

Wilshire Technologies Inc. (Carlsbad, CA) has signed a definitive agreement of sale with Foamex Asia Co. Ltd. for the purchase of the assets of Wilshire's Contamination Control Division. The two companies will share certain technology, equipment and personnel during the contractual period.

The new division of Foamex Asia will retain the name Wilshire Contamination Control and Wilshire Technologies Inc. will retain its name for the polyurethane glove business. The Wilshire Contamination Control Division develops and manufactures specialized polyurethane-based cleanroom products utilizing engineered materials from proprietary polyurethane formulations to manufacture high-quality wipers, swabs, sponges, scrub pads and rollers for ISO Class 3, 4 and 5 (Class 1, 10 and 100) cleanroom requirements.—LB

Edward Consulting Engineers merges with HDR

Edward Consulting Engineers (ECE; Aloha, OR)—an engineering and consulting firm specializing in the design of semiconductor facilities and tool installation and layout—has merged with HDR Architecture Inc. The merger with HDR extends ECE's portfolio of semiconductor design services targeted at the advanced technology market.

According to the company, clients include the world's largest chip maker and leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products as well as Hewlett-Packard, Fujitsu, Maxim, Tektronix, TriQuint, Siltec, Mitsubishi Silicon America, Allied Technology Group and Portland General Electric. Kelly Vincent, national director of HDR's Science & Technology division, says "This merger will enable HDR to accelerate a presence for customers in the Pacific Northwest, and further strengthens our design portfolio of semiconductor facilities."—LB

Iso-Trude increases plant size

Iso-Trude Inc., a Grand Haven, MI-based custom extruder of single and multi-material plastic profiles for the furniture, cleanrooms, medical, automotive and display market, has completed a 20 percent increase in plant capacity. Craig Jansuz, vice president, states that the capacity increase was needed to meet increased sales.—LB

Make your nomination for the 2000 Hall of Fame!

Continue a tradition of excellence by making a nomination to the 2000 CleanRooms Hall of Fame. Nominate your peers for this prestigious award and recognize them for their contributions and advances in contamination control.

Call Mary Freitas at (603) 891-9385 for a nomination form or make your nominations at www.cleanrooms.com.

Last Chance! Deadline is August 15, 2000.