Responding to COVID-19: Research Operations at Birck
https://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/for-birck-users/covid/index.php
Seminars /Workshops / Events
BNC Virtual Faculty Seminar
October 8th, 2020 | 12:00 noon
Jianguo Mei,
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
“Semiconducting Polymers: A Journey from Scientific Curiosity to Technology Commercialization”
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/93857631004
Material & Process Compatibility Matrix
Here at the Birck Nanotechnology Center we have a wide range of fabrication projects happening daily within our state-of-the-art cleanroom, spanning many engineering and scientific disciplines from across campus and beyond. With this broad range of applications
comes a diverse set of materials and processes, and occasionally certain materials used within our process tools can cause harmful levels of contamination due to particulates, outgassing, re-deposition, and chemical incompatibility. To that end we have
developed a “Material and Process Compatibility” matrix showing 3 to 4 levels of allowed materials in our major systems in Lithography, Etch, Physical Vapor Deposition, and Growth/Deposition systems. These levels of allowed materials and/or substrate cleaning
requirements are categorized under the areas of “Metallic Contamination,” “Outgassing Contamination,” “Elevated Temperature,” “Backside Cleanliness,” and “Special.” We have carefully considered this matrix over the last several weeks, and we’re now publishing
it as an overlay of requirements to keep our systems clean and pristine for all users. Here is a link to the matrix:
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/BNCWiki/Material+and+Process+Compatibility
In the Birck Wiki there is also a link to this matrix on each equipment page. As with any new procedure and process item we solicit your suggestions for improvements and modifications to this matrix. There is a lot of information contained in the document
and we need input from the user community to ensure we have the best and most accurate information. Additionally, if you wish to use something that is outside this matrix you must contact a staff member to discuss your process requirements before running
your process.
Thanks for your efforts and support to keep our cleanroom tools clean and compatible with a wide range of processes for all users.
The Birck Engineering Staff
Birck Safety Protocols
It is very gratifying to see our research community back ‘in business’ doing leading-edge research in our center after the long pause we all experienced this Spring. But at the same time we want to remind our entire user group of the
critical importance of following the COVID safety protocols while using our facilities. If an outbreak of COVID exposures should happen at Birck there is a real possibility that we may need to close the facility again. So please read and support the following…..
…..Some of our approved users are holding the doors open for others to enter the building. This may very well be a gesture of politeness to assist another, but it also can be perceived that non-approved people are entering our
building with the assistance of one of our approved users. Additionally it does not allow us to have an accurate accounting of who is entering our building by evaluating card-swipe data. So everyone should swipe into Birck and not be let in by someone holding
the door open.
…..Face masks are required while in Birck. Approved users have been, and continue to be, strongly encouraged to bring their own face mask for their personal use while in the facility. At the entrances we have supplied quantities
of disposable face masks for emergency use, but our supplies of these disposable masks are being depleted at the high rate of 300 – 400 masks per week. This rate of use seems exceptionally high when personal masks are strongly recommended. Please only take
one mask from the supply, and only when you’ve forgotten your personal mask.
….Social distancing continues to be a challenge. This is a difficult habit to develop and groups of people have been seen clustered around a tool, or having a hallway conversation, and not adhering to the 6’ spacing rule. Please
continue to maintain at least 6’ spacing between yourself and the nearest other person.
Please stay vigilant in promoting and supporting these safety protocols. If we each do our part we will continue to stay open and conduct state-of-the-art research in our great facility.
Birck Nanotechnology Center PM Shut Down Notice: October 19th – 23rd, 2020
The Birck Nanotechnology Center will be undergoing a semi-annual preventive maintenance and service shutdown
October 19 through October 23, 2020. Air handling systems, exhaust systems, toxic gas delivery, and monitoring systems will be down beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, October 19 through 4 p.m. Friday, October 23. 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. Only authorized personnel 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 7 a.m. Monday, October 19 through 4 p.m. Friday,
October 23. 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 23. Please check iLabs 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 3, 2021 Week of Oct 18, 2021
Week of May 2, 2022 Week of Oct 17, 2022
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these important preventive maintenance shutdowns. Please contact me if you need more detailed information.
Mark Voorhis
Building Manager
Birck Nanotechnology Center
REMINDER: Influenza Vaccination Required for Faculty, Staff and Students
Faculty, staff and students are required to obtain their influenza vaccine by
Oct. 31. Purdue is holding flu shot events, and several on-campus locations also are offering flu shots. Seasonal flu shots are provided at no charge to all benefits-eligible Purdue faculty and staff as well as spouses
and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan.
Click
HERE for more details of 2020 PU West Lafayette Campus Flu Shot Events
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
***If you have any news items (published papers, research news, awards, honors) please send to
jjturner@purdue.edu so they may be included on Birck’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages***
Jaime Turner
Lead Administrative Assistant to the Director | Birck Nanotechnology Center
BRK | 1205 W State Street | West Lafayette, IN 47907
o: 765-494-3509 | m: 765-491-3064 | jjturner@purdue.edu
