Cleanroom Flu Shot Parking Preventative Maintenance Pumpkin Carving Party Sunrise Award Cleanroom Buddy Policy Some suggestions have been made to re-evaluate our acid hood buddy policy due to problems scheduling a buddy during afterhours. Unfortunately this is a Purdue-wide policy put in place for safety, namely that any acid work done in a hood needs to have a second person somewhere in the vicinity due to the dangerous nature of the work. We understand the scheduling challenges but this policy needs to continue to be enforced not only because it is a Purdue requirement, but also because it is the right & safe thing to do. Thanks for your understanding. Sample Prep Storage It was suggested that some small number of laboratory drawers be provided for sample prep storage, especially for students who come and go from Birck frequently. The analogy is the way we use student lockers to store personal belongings while visiting and working at Birck. Steve will investigate the possibility of finding a small area that is safe and accessible for this, but it becomes complicated because of swipe-in access to labs and a very limited number of unused drawers. Steve will see if this is feasible. Bio-Cleanroom Waste Disposal A very good suggestion was made this week to better categorize the different waste products from the Bio-cleanroom, and then use the proper disposal procedures for a given material. Steve will develop a list, which can be expanded over time, to describe the proper waste disposal for a variety of bio-cleanroom materials. This may be put on the website or locally in the bio-cleanroom. Personal Electronics Use in the Cleanroom and Labs A staff member observed a user in the cleanroom playing video games on a tablet device while simultaneously doing research-related work. Please note that this can potentially be a dangerous situation if chemicals and/or processes are trying to be managed while distracted by personal electronic devices. Please use common sense when interfacing with your personal electronics, doing so only when it is safe and when you don't have research activities underway. In addition, please remember to wipe down all devices and/or materials in the gowning room prior to bringing them into the cleanroom. Thanks, and keep your good suggestions coming. Ron Flu Shot Why put up with the flu? You feel rotten. No one wants to be around you. You miss all the fun. Get a free flu shot* at any of these events hosted by the Center for Healthy Living: Oct. 16 Stewart Center, Room 214 A&B 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 Birck Nanotechnology Center, Room 1001 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. You don't need an appointment. Just bring your PUID card and stop in whenever it's most convenient for you. Covered spouses and same-sex domestic partners can get a free flu shot at any of the events simply by showing their Anthem ID card. Can't make it to an on-campus event? Anyone covered on a Purdue medical plan - including children - can get a free flu shot one of these ways: * Go to a retail pharmacy: Choose a pharmacy from the list of covered locations<http://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/Medical/pdf/AnthemfluShots.pdf>. Be sure to have the Anthem ID card with you for everyone who's getting a flu shot. * Go to your health care provider: All Purdue medical plans cover seasonal flu shots for covered employees and family members. Questions? Contact Human Resources at 49-42222 or hr@purdue.edu<mailto:hr@purdue.edu>. *Fluzone trivalent 0.5 mL single-dose Parking 20 parking spaces will be reserved from 7 am to 5 pm on Friday, October 17th. Preventive Maintenance Shut Down Notice October 13 - October 17 The Birck Nanotechnology Center will be undergoing a semi-annual preventive maintenance and service shutdown October 13 through October 17, 2014. Air handling systems, exhaust systems, hazardous toxic gas delivery, and monitoring systems will be down beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, October 13 through 4 p.m. Friday, October 17. The BNC staff will be performing appropriate preventive maintenance on the process equipment at this time as well. All CLEANROOM research work will be suspended until the maintenance activities are completed and all systems are returned to normal. No one will be allowed to enter the cleanroom during this time period. In addition, the laboratory areas will also be affected by this systems maintenance. As such, all LABORATORY activities that involve exhausted hoods, vacuum systems, and/or toxic gas systems will be down beginning 9 a.m. Monday, October 13 through 4 p.m. Friday, October 17. However, work that involves taking standard electrical measurements may be carried out in the LABS provided that fluctuating air temperature and humidity do not affect the readings. No chemical work will be allowed during this period. It is anticipated that the building and process tool maintenance will be completed by the end of the day on Friday, October 17. Please check Coral for equipment status and availability. For long term research planning please refer the following future dates for our future preventive maintenance shutdowns. ? Week of May 4, 2015 ? Week of October 12, 2015 ? Week of May 2, 2016 ? Week of Oct 10, 2016 Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these important preventive maintenance shutdowns. Pumpkin Carving Party Please join us for a pumpkin carving party in the atrium at 3:30 pm on Friday, October 24th. A limited number of pumpkins will be purchased and distributed on a first come first serve basis. The pumpkins will be on displayed for 1 week. Please stop by the display and vote monetarily for your favorite. The money will be used for fun activities held in Birck. Sunrise Award Message on behalf of Suresh V. Garimella and Alan H. Rebar Nominations are being sought for the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships (EVPRP) Sunrise Award. The award is intended to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond the stated responsibilities of their positions to advance the mission and vision of Purdue University. All EVPRP and Discovery Park staff members are eligible. Please see the attached award description sheet for more information. Please submit nominations by Monday, November 10, 2014, to C. Tanner/EVPRP/HOVD; be sure to include supporting documents (letters, recommendations, etc.) with your submission. The awards will be presented during our Recognition Reception in December. We emphasize, as we do every year, that this is an important opportunity to recognize our outstanding staff, and ask that you give careful consideration to your nomination.