New at Cleanzone: Airborne Molecular Contamination workshop

A workshop on Airborne Molecular Contamination (AMC) is being held for the first time at Cleanzone 2016, on the morning of 8 November.

In the field of cleanroom technology, the current focus is not only on particle control, but also on the measurement and elimination of chemical impurities in the air and on surfaces.

Ruth Lorenz, Vice President Technology & Production at Messe Frankfurt, explains: 'We are very pleased that we will be able to offer visitors a workshop on this extremely pressing topic this year.

'With this event, we are addressing one of the key challenges currently facing the industry and a factor that is increasingly important for cleanroom production.'

The workshop has been organised by Markus Thamm from Cleanroom.de. He sums up the objectives of the event: 'Our goal is to get users and manufacturers together in one place. With the current state of development, it is very important that users have a venue where they can explain their problems, so that manufacturers will be able to develop corresponding product innovations.

The workshop will be structured around two key presentations by Frank Spehl from Mann + Hummel and Dr. Peter Heinrich from Artemis Control.

Anyone who would like to take part in the workshop can do so by booking a congress module at www.cleanzone.messefrankfurt.com.

The event is aimed primarily at those from the semiconductor industry, aerospace technology and the high-end plastics sector.

Among the airborne molecular contaminants that are the focus of interest due to their ability to damage production are such substances as ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sulphur compounds, silicones and organic compounds.

At the current time, these molecules are primarily of concern to manufacturers from the micro-technology sector, but Markus Thamm is certain that these impurities will eventually be posing greater difficulties for production in the life sciences as well: 'There is a danger here that reactions can give rise to new substances, or that the aforementioned substances may end up as a source of nutrients for micro-organisms.'

Air purity is defined in terms of chemical concentrations in both EN ISO 14644 and VDI 2083.

In the workshop, the primary focus is on developments in measurement and filter technology.

In most cases, the filters being used for airborne chemical substances have been specially produced for individual customers. First, it is necessary to work with the user to determine which molecules might bring a halt to their production process.

The filter manufacturer can then use the results of this analysis to design a suitable filter. As to measurement technology, it is already possible to effectively monitor ammonia and acids in real time.

The industry is currently working to develop effective solutions for silicones and epoxides. To measure these substances, it is still necessary to place plates in cleanrooms and then analyse these. One of the disadvantages is that it cannot be determined when any impurities occurred.

At Cleanzone, users will be able to find out about innovative products and new solutions at the AMC workshop, by talking directly with experts and straight from manufacturers at their stands.