- Bnc-facility-notice - ecn.purdue.edu

Welcome Back!
by Reger, Ronald K 29 Jul '20

29 Jul '20

Dear Birck Research Community, Welcome back to Birck! We've all had several months of learning how to deal with a global pandemic, and through the leadership of Purdue & Birck we have put measures in place to allow research to resume under special conditions/precautions. All of our labs, including the cleanroom, have special Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that must be followed in order to promote a safe work environment under the continued threat of COVID19 exposure. We are not operating in a 'business as usual' mode now, but rather under precautions and safety approaches to protect one another and reduce the chance of exposure. If you need to work in a lab you must review that lab's SOP and sign a compliance document. If you want to work in the cleanroom please contact me and I will guide you through the steps to get qualified. None of us has experienced this prior to the COVID pandemic so developing new safety practices and habits takes time and frequent reminders. Therefore, as a reminder when you're working in Birck, please remember to: 1. Wear a face mask 2. Maintain 6' social distancing in all person-to-person interactions..... discussions in hallways, labs, even the cleanroom. 3. Honor the maximum 3 persons allowed in the gowning room at one time 4. Honor the one person per air shower rule at all times 5. Frequently sanitize your hands with provided sanitizer located throughout the building 6. Honor the one-way designations in our hallways 7. Remind one another when you see violations. In particular the 6' spacing rule is a difficult habit to develop, so when you see others violating it please provide a gentle reminder that the social distancing rule must be maintained, for everyone's safety. Purdue has just established the "Protect Purdue Health Center" which is online and a call center to deal specifically with COVID questions, exposures, and concerns. There are numbers to call, and the information is located here: https://protect.purdue.edu/ Take a look when you get a chance as there is a wealth of information about Purdue's approach to providing a safe learning, research, and living environment. And definitely contact them if you think you may have been exposed at some point. As always, we're here to enable great research so please let us know if you have suggestions for improvements. Thanks, Ron & the Birck Team

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Equipment Training in the Birck Center
by Reger, Ronald K 09 Jul '20

09 Jul '20

Dear Birck Research Community, There has been guidance issued across campus relative to using Enhanced PPE in research when individuals cannot maintain the minimum 6’ spacing while doing certain tasks. Please see more information here: https://protect.purdue.edu/updates/guidance-for-enhanced-ppe-for-close-up-p… One area called out in this guidance is ‘user training on instruments.’ The enhanced PPE listed includes a surgical mask, face shield, nitrile gloves (or equivalent), and lab coats (optional). In our Birck cleanroom we already don masks, gloves, and the cleanroom gown. Additionally we have 9 air changes per minute which continues to supply filtered air to the entire cleanroom and we maintain a positive pressure relative to the external hallway. The only Enhanced PPE item that we don’t use on a routine basis is the face shield. Therefore we are implementing a tool training protocol that requires the use of a face shield by both the engineering staff trainer and the new user trainee. For now we are also implementing a protocol that will limit training sessions to one trainee at a time. Note, we are working to develop other methods of training including video taping and very detailed SOPs for equipment operation, and these will be tested in the near future. With the cleanroom opening up under our new SOP protocol we anticipate many new users, and a high demand for training on equipment. Please use iLabs to register/log your training requests. We want to emphasize two things for this new training scenario: 1. Since it has been many weeks of down time we want to ensure we train users who have an immediate and/or urgent need for the tools. Please be considerate of your fellow researchers and don’t ask for training until you need it. 2. Due to the high demand, please make sure you’re ready for your training session when it is scheduled. If for any reason you can’t attend your training please cancel it as soon as possible so another might take your time slot. As we move toward a full research facility, albeit under these extraordinary COVID conditions, we are trying to accommodate as many people as possible. As always, work with your engineering staff member and please stay safe! Your feedback is sought and welcome as we move into this next phase. Thanks, Ron

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Cleanroom SOP Discussion: Make-Up Session
by Reger, Ronald K 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

Dear Birck Cleanroom Users, Now that the Birck cleanroom has an approved SOP, we have had over 90 individuals participate in the SOP discussion Webex meetings, and they have submitted their signatures for access. We conducted 3 Webex sessions last week, and we are scheduling another this Wednesday, July 8th, at 1:00 pm. All cleanroom users must participate in one Webex SOP discussion meeting to get reinstated into the cleanroom. If you have not yet participated in a Webex SOP review meeting I am offering this make-up session Wednesday afternoon. If you want to participate in this Webex meeting, PLEASE SEND ME A REQUEST via email. I will then send you pre-read materials and a link to connect into the meeting. Thanks, Ron Reger Engineering Manager Birck Nanotechnology Center | Room 2289 | Office: 765.494.6667 | Email: rreger(a)purdue.edu<mailto:rreger@purdue.edu> Wiki: https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/BNCWiki iLabs: https://purdue.ilabsolutions.com/homepage/ ______________________________________________________________ [Purdue_University-150_Years_of_Giant_Leaps.png (300?-66)] www.purdue.edu/giantleaps<http://www.purdue.edu/giantleaps>

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Birck Nanotechnology Center is Operational for Essential Research
by Voorhis, Mark L. 08 May '20

08 May '20

All BNC Users - The research equipment power repairs and preventive maintenance activities for the Birck Nanotechnology Facility have been completed successfully. The cleanroom and laboratories are operating normally as they were in pre-closure Critical Research conditions. Some Critical Research equipment is still down for maintenance, or is in the process of being started back up. Please check iLabs for individual equipment status. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Best Regards, Mark Voorhis Building Manager Purdue University Birck Nanotechnology Center Office: (765) 494-3036 [Purdue_University-150_Years_of_Giant_Leaps] www.purdue.edu/giantleaps<http://www.purdue.edu/giantleaps>

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NOTICE - BNC Research Equipment Power Outage on Wednesday May 4, 2020 from 10AM to 2PM
by Voorhis, Mark L. 17 Apr '20

17 Apr '20

Birck Nanotechnology Center Research Equipment Power Outage for ALL GENERAL LABORATORY, SUB FAB, and CLEANROOM Wednesday May 6, 2020 from 10AM to 2PM Dear BNC User, This is advance notice about major electrical power outage involving all research equipment in the center on Wednesday May 6 from 10AM to 2 PM. Physical Facilities High Voltage Department have firmed up plans necessary to gain access and have parts needed to fix the switchboard #1 that supplies power to all research equipment in the center. This involves all research equipment in ALL GENERAL LABORATORY, SUB FAB, AND CLEANROOM. All research equipment connected to our building wide Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) or generator power will NOT lose power during this time. This work will be completed during our normal spring building preventative maintenance closure that is scheduled from Monday May 4 through Friday May 8, 2020. More details on the preventative maintenance closure will be communicated as we get closer to May 4, 2020. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Best Regards, Mark Voorhis Building Manager Birck Nanotechnology Center Office: (765) 494-3036

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Birck operations during critical research support
by Turner, Jaime J 25 Mar '20

25 Mar '20

Sent on behalf of Ali Shakouri Dear All, Governor’s announcement and EVPRP’s follow up email on Monday highlighted that only critical research should continue starting from Wednesday 3/25 until the governor’s order is rescinded, currently scheduled for April 7. The message below from EVPRP gives the definition of critical research and explains ramp-down procedures. Here are some additional details about Birck related issues: * Starting from later this morning (Wednesday), we will shut down all toxic, flammable, and hazardous gases. This is similar to our operation during the winter break with the exception that we can only support critical research activities approved by EVPRP. * If anybody is planning to do critical research, you need to fill up the appropriate form<https://www.purdue.edu/research/covid-19/critical-research.php> on EVPRP website AND email Birck leadership so that we can evaluate facility and staff needs. So far I have received request from one group for COVID-19 sensor work. * In your email to Birck, please identify everything needed: access to specific labs, name and email of researchers who need access, necessary consumable and chemicals and how often, shipping/receiving needs, hazardous waste disposal, etc. * User who need to access the facility for critical research should follow strict guidelines for physical distancing and safety and hygiene practices. * We ask that non-critical research is ramped down at the latest by Thursday 3/26 at 12 midnight. Please go over the Research Laboratory Ramp-Down Check List<https://www.purdue.edu/research/covid-19/critical-research.php> on EVPRP site (see the forms on the right hand side). This will allow our support staff to do walk throughs and inspect the facility on Friday. * No consumables, supplies or equipment will be ordered for non-critical research activities * After Friday, there will be no receiving of packages at Birck. If you are expecting a package that may arrive after Friday, you need to contact the supplier to delay or cancel shipment. Packages in transient will be held at Purdue’s Materials Management Distribution Center https://www.purdue.edu/materials/. Other packages send by express carriers e.g. Fed Ex & DHL may be held at their local depot. Please check into package pickup requirements at each of the shipping locations on ID requirements for package pickup. * For more information (including shipment and receiving of materials for critical research), please contact Mary Jo Totten (tottenm(a)purdue.edu<mailto:tottenm@purdue.edu>) and Mark Voorhis (mvoorhis(a)purdue.edu<mailto:mvoorhis@purdue.edu>). * Liquid nitrogen deliveries to our bulk tank will continue, and specific staff members will periodically fill dewars for small uses. * Staff members will periodically walk through the building to check on critical equipment and facilities. Staff will be working from home as much as possible as we would like to minimize their exposure. * After the ramp-down of non critical research on Thursday, access to Birck will be limited to ONLY essential personnel, those with approved critical research or critical machines that require regular check-in during stand by (e.g. MBEs). The restricted access will be through the north east (main) entrance to the building. Please do not open exterior doors to allow unauthorized personnel into the center. Zhihong, Sunil and I are indebted to Mark, Ron, Steve and our dedicated building and engineering staff who are making sure that our critical infrastructure is well maintained and users for critical projects can work in a safe environment. Thanks also to Sam Peana and NSAC who have great initiatives (e.g. virtual activities for students) which is so important in these unprecedented times. COVID 19 situation is evolving very quickly. We will be in touch if there are any changes and before April 7 to give an update about our operation. I hope everybody is staying healthy and safe. Please let Zhihong, Sunil and I know if you have any suggestions or comments. Best regards, Ali Ali Shakouri Mary Jo and Robert L. Kirk Director Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Birck Nanotechnology Center, Room 1027 Purdue University 1205 West State Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2057 (765) 496-6105; Fax: (765) 496-8299 shakouri(a)purdue.edu<mailto:shakouri@purdue.edu> Begin forwarded message: From: purdueresearch(a)purdue.edu<mailto:purdueresearch@purdue.edu> Subject: Critical Research update from EVPRP Date: March 24, 2020 at 9:25:00 PM EDT To: ashakour(a)purdue.edu<mailto:ashakour@purdue.edu> View as a Web page<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/39311964/1558914122/83628777/0/124711/?b44ed…> ________________________________ [purdue logo] ________________________________ March 24, 2020 The Purdue Research Community: We appreciate your dedication to advancing Purdue’s research mission in a safe and responsible way during this unprecedented time, including transitioning to remote work whenever possible. Thank you for your efforts! Yesterday, Governor Holcomb’s office released an executive order for Hoosiers to remain in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety. The order provides an exception for “[e]ducational institutions . . . for purposes of . . . performing critical research or performing essential functions,” provided that social distancing practices continue to be followed. The order is in effect from March 25 until April 7. Research performed on the Purdue campus and at our locations across the state must comply with the Governor’s order. This means that laboratories should safely and responsibly ramp-down noncritical research in a manner that allows for all of our research activities to quickly ramp back up when restrictions are lifted. When current social distancing (6 ft) and density (1 person per 120 sq. ft.) can be maintained, critical research and support functions in campus laboratories, agriculture centers, and field sites are defined as follows: Critical Research * Work that is directly related to preventing, containing, or treating COVID-19. * Work that is directly related to national security. * Work that if discontinued would pose a safety hazard. * Laboratory or field work that if discontinued would result in significant data or sample loss. * Longitudinal or seasonal work that if discontinued would result in significant data or sample loss. * Clinical trials or human subject research that if discontinued would result in significant negative impact on patient care or human health. * Seasonally dependent agricultural research that would have critical implications for human and animal health as well as food security. Support Functions * Research administration, regulatory, and support functions that are required by law. * Work that maintains critical animal populations. * Work that maintains critical plant populations, cell lines, and other living organisms. * Work that maintains critical samples, materials, and reagents. * Work that maintains critical equipment in facilities and labs, whether operational or in stand-by mode. * Work necessary to ramp-down noncritical research after March 25. To continue these critical research activities in Purdue campus laboratories, agriculture centers, or field sites after March 25, principal investigators or facility/site directors should complete a brief online Critical On-Campus Research Continuity Information Form available on the Purdue COVID-19 Research website<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/39311964/1558914122/83579050/0/124711/?x=079…>. All personnel should follow previously announced guidance on social distancing/safety hygiene practices, human subjects and animal research, use of proper lab and safety equipment, and use of buddy system in labs with hazardous materials. Additionally, researchers and staff who are sick, have returned from travel outside of the state, or have concerns over their personal health and safety should not come to campus. Research and support functions that fall outside of this definition should be safely and responsibly ramped-down using the Research Laboratory Ramp-Down Checklist by March 27. Removing university chemicals, materials, equipment, or animals to recreate experimental laboratories at off-site locations is not permitted. Sign templates that should be completed and posted on all laboratory doors are also available on the website. During this time, we strongly encourage you to continue all possible research and scholarly activities remotely. This includes work such as data analysis, writing projects, literature reviews, or online learning (coding, statistics, etc.). Be sure that group members are well equipped to work remotely (VPN, Duo, etc.), and that special accommodations and approvals are obtained for use of proprietary or protected data and computing resources. Purdue and Indiana University are issuing similar research guidance at this time. It is our hope that this consistency will help to support our researchers who are collaborating across our universities, including critical research that is addressing the COVID-19 crisis. Please know that we are here to support you. Our sponsored programs, regulatory affairs, program development, and many other teams have remote plans in place and remain operational. Feel free to contact us by e-mail with questions or concerns. Sincerely, Theresa Mayer Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships Jay Akridge Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs ________________________________ Research-related information Research-related information is located on the Covid-19 website<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/39311964/1558914122/83579050/1/124711/?x=ed8…> for the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships. Please check the website frequently for updates. ________________________________ Campus-wide information You can find the most recent campus-wide guidance on COVID-19 on Purdue's dedicated website<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/39311964/1558914122/83387379/0/124711/?x=c1b…>. Please check the website frequently for updates. ________________________________ You are receiving this email as a member of the Purdue University research community. Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships: www.purdue.edu/research/<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/39311964/1558914122/71306447/0/124711/?x=cf9…> Send comments or questions to purdueresearch(a)purdue.edu<mailto:purdueresearch@purdue.edu>. Purdue University is an equal access, equal opportunity university. Produced and published by the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships office. Copyright © 2020, Purdue University<https://maillinks.purdue.edu/t/39311964/1558914122/63490351/0/124711/?x=c11…>, All rights reserved. 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Spraying for safety
by Totten, Mary J 16 Mar '20

16 Mar '20

Everyone, The custodial staff will start spraying the door handles, flat surfaces, and any touch point in public areas. They will also be spraying the door handles on all offices and labs. Please leave the doors alone until they are dry. They may prop your door open for a little bit while it is drying. This is happening all over Purdue campus, so please be aware. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Mary Jo Totten Birck Nanotechnology Center/Purdue University Building Logisitics Coordinator 1205 West State Street Office BRK 1220 West Lafayette, IN 47907-2057 (765) 496-1173

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NOTICE - Interruption to Cleanroom Humidity Control - Normal
by Voorhis, Mark L. 26 Feb '20

26 Feb '20

Dear BNC Cleanroom User, The cleanroom humidity is back to normal. Thank you, From: Bnc-facility-notice <bnc-facility-notice-bounces(a)ecn.purdue.edu> On Behalf Of Voorhis, Mark L. Sent: Monday, February 24, 2020 3:30 PM To: bnc-facility-notice(a)ecn.purdue.edu Subject: Re: [Bnc-facility-notice] NOTICE - Interruption to Cleanroom Humidity Control Dear BNC Clenaroom Users Gentle reminder about shutdown for cleanroom humidification units Wednesday February 26 starting at 7:30AM. Thank you, From: Bnc-facility-notice <bnc-facility-notice-bounces(a)ecn.purdue.edu<mailto:bnc-facility-notice-bounces@ecn.purdue.edu>> On Behalf Of Voorhis, Mark L. Sent: Monday, February 10, 2020 4:50 PM To: bnc-facility-notice(a)ecn.purdue.edu<mailto:bnc-facility-notice@ecn.purdue.edu> Subject: [Bnc-facility-notice] NOTICE - Interruption to Cleanroom Humidity Control Dear BNC Cleanroom Users, On Wednesday February 26, 2020 starting at 7:30AM Purdue Physical Facility Department needs to shut down the medium pressure steam to the cleanroom humidification units for about 8 hours to make needed steam piping modification. If the outside weather is below normal conditions the cleanroom relative humidity levels can drop to 10% to 15% (normal humidity level is 45%), which will substantially increase electrostatic discharge when handling electronics devices in the cleanroom. Please contact me if you have any questions, and thank you for your patience during this interruption. Best Regards, Mark Voorhis Building Manager Purdue University Birck Nanotechnology Center Office: (765) 494-3036 [Purdue_University-150_Years_of_Giant_Leaps] www.purdue.edu/giantleaps<http://www.purdue.edu/giantleaps>

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Re: [Bnc-facility-notice] NOTICE - Interruption to Cleanroom Humidity Control
by Voorhis, Mark L. 24 Feb '20

24 Feb '20

Dear BNC Clenaroom Users Gentle reminder about shutdown for cleanroom humidification units Wednesday February 26 starting at 7:30AM. Thank you, From: Bnc-facility-notice <bnc-facility-notice-bounces(a)ecn.purdue.edu> On Behalf Of Voorhis, Mark L. Sent: Monday, February 10, 2020 4:50 PM To: bnc-facility-notice(a)ecn.purdue.edu Subject: [Bnc-facility-notice] NOTICE - Interruption to Cleanroom Humidity Control Dear BNC Cleanroom Users, On Wednesday February 26, 2020 starting at 7:30AM Purdue Physical Facility Department needs to shut down the medium pressure steam to the cleanroom humidification units for about 8 hours to make needed steam piping modification. If the outside weather is below normal conditions the cleanroom relative humidity levels can drop to 10% to 15% (normal humidity level is 45%), which will substantially increase electrostatic discharge when handling electronics devices in the cleanroom. Please contact me if you have any questions, and thank you for your patience during this interruption. Best Regards, Mark Voorhis Building Manager Purdue University Birck Nanotechnology Center Office: (765) 494-3036 [Purdue_University-150_Years_of_Giant_Leaps] www.purdue.edu/giantleaps<http://www.purdue.edu/giantleaps>

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Re: [Bnc-facility-notice] NOTICE - Campus Steam Outage
by Voorhis, Mark L. 19 Feb '20

19 Feb '20

Dear BNC User - At the present time campus steam is back to normal and all systems are operational, outside of cleanroom humidity which will be operational by 10AM tomorrow morning. Thank you, From: Bnc-facility-notice <bnc-facility-notice-bounces(a)ecn.purdue.edu> On Behalf Of Voorhis, Mark L. Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 4:39 PM To: bnc-facility-notice(a)ecn.purdue.edu Subject: Re: [Bnc-facility-notice] NOTICE - Campus Steam Outage - Controlled Shutdown Cancelled Dear BNC User - 4:30 PM update - The steam pressure has shown a small increase from 3 PSI to 12 PSI and climbing. At this time we will cancel the controlled shutdown of the cleanroom and general labs air handling and chemical exhaust systems. All fume hoods, toxic gases, and chemical processes will remain operational. As part of the steam contingency plan the atrium and office areas will remain off until the steam pressure is back to normal. Once the steam pressure is back to normal it will take 12 hours for the cleanroom clean steam generators to heat up and stabilize. So cleanroom humidity will not be in control until mid-morning tomorrow. I will send another update when steam pressure is back to normal. Thank you for your patience during this campus wide unscheduled outage.

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