Interview With ETH Professor Christofer Hierold About Nanotechnology

Photo: Philippe Neidhart/ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich Professor Christofer Hierold researches and works with nanotechnology.  ETH, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, conducted an interview with Professor Heirold to discuss the structures, materials and applications of nanotechnology.  Professor Heirold talks about his fascination with nanotechnology, how their specific work in their cleanroom would be hazardous if they did not take proper steps to protect themselves with masks, gloves, etc., and how technology has almost unlimited possibilities.  Click here to read the full interview.

Nanotechnology Degree Programs are Available Due to More and More Companies Utilizing Nanotechnology for Products

More and more universities around the world are starting to offer a degree in nanotechnology.  The increase in companies that utilize nanotechnology to create products, such as pharmaceutical or electronic companies, has brought about awareness of the need for more nanotechnology educational programs.  Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend, Indiana has decided to create a nanotechnology program for students.  Ivy Tech is developing the two year program to prepare students for any technical career that utilizes nanotechnology, such as cleanroom equipment operators or technicians. Click here to read the full article about South Bends developing nanotechnology program.

Pegasus Cleanroom Services E-news

Pegasus Cleanroom Services puts out an informative e-news letter that you can sign up for by clicking here.  This week’s e-news features information on Indoor Environmental Quality, how to keep your business data center running at the most efficient level, and more.  A special offer for 20% off our VTSNTR-99 non woven wiper is also included on this E-news letter.  Click here to view E-news, and don’t forget to sign up for Pegasus Cleanroom Services E-news!

Non-Woven Wipe / Coated versus Non-coated

Non-woven wipers are a spunlace construction that enhances the wipers ability to hold water and/or cleaning solvent.

The uncoated spunlace non-woven material is generally referred to as the cleanroom “grunt” wiper because it is highly absorbent, and well suited for cleaning work surfaces, and tools. It is not recommended for direct product contact, because it can shed lint.

To reduce the shedding of a non-woven wiper, it is coated. A coated non-woven wiper is lower in particles than an uncoated. However, the coating limits the wipers absorbent capacity.

The non-coated spunlace non-woven is the preferred wiper for general cleanroom wiper tasks.

Nestle taking steps to merge Big Pharma and Big Food

The ever expanding food and pharmaceutical industries are finding ways to merge their efforts.  In January Nestle, the world’s largest food company, created a health science unit to begin its process of creating products that use nutrition as a non-prescription option to treat health issues.  Nestle has decided to try and merge industries by purchasing companies within the health industry.  The most recent purchase was Prometheus Laboratories, a company that specializes in diagnosing and producing drug treatments for gastrointestinal issues.  Nestle has produced certain nutritional products to help patients with similar gastrointestinal problems.  This merging of food into the health and pharmaceutical could be a stepping stone of the two industries converging to promote healthy eating as a preventative measure to disease, and possibly creating a nutritional treatment in the near future as an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment.  Click here to read more.

Article notes latex prices have increased 82% over the previous year.

Skyrocketing global prices of latex has influenced one of the world’s leading latex exporting countries to force its domestic customers to look elsewhere.  Selling latex to foreign markets provides larger orders with commitment to buy from these companies despite the drastic annual increase in price.  Click here to read the article.

While the article is interesting, the recent buying behaviors of our clients show this strategy may not work very well. Our clients are buying more synthetic gloves now than ever before. Our clients say the reasons for the change include the potential allergic reactions involved with using latex products along with the rapidly rising cost of latex.  At Valutek, we continue to educate and recommend that our clients purchase synthetic gloves made from Nitrile or PVC.

Cleanroom Paper and Facemask Promo Sale

* Call your Valutek Representative or 800-763-1250 to receive the promo pricing while supplies last.

Cleanroom 3 Ply Polypropylene Facemask
Item Number:  VTMASK4T-BL
The mouth is the No. 1 particle generator on an operator, where contamination can originate in the form of skin flakes, spittle mucous, bacteria, hair follicles, residual contamination (such as smoke) and makeup. Eliminate contamination from the mouth area through the use of Valutek’s 3 Ply polypropylene facemask.

Sizes: One size fits all

Promo Price: $53.95 per case

Cleanroom Blue Paper
Item Number: VTCRPS23B-8511
All paper is not created equal! A cleanroom environment requires a specialized paper that won’t introduce any contamination like particulates or fillers. Valutek’s blue cleanroom paper is 23lb in weight with excellent ink absorption. Each ream is sealed in poly bags for maximum cleanliness.

Color: Blue | Green | Pink
Size: 8.5″x11″

Promo Price: $75.95 per case

More Info on Blue Paper, Green Paper, or Pink Paper

Pre-Summer Sale Until May 25th!

Valutek is offering a pre-summer promo sale until May 25th. We have a variety of discounted cleanroom products available for purchase and immediate delivery.

* Call your Valutek Representative or 800-763-1250 to receive the promo pricing while supplies last. 

Cleanroom Non Woven Wiper
Item Number: VTSNTR

Eliminate contamination safely with the use of Valutek’s BEST SELLING WIPER, the non woven wiper. Non Woven wipers can be used either for cleaning, as they are chemically resistant to most cleaning agents, or for general wiping purposes. Non woven wipers are made from clean, durable synthetic fibers, and their substrate is highly absorbent.

Sizes: 9″x9″ and 12″x12″

Promo Price: $11.95 (both sizes) per bag

Cleanroom Shoe Cover
Item Number: VTSHCVPL-WH
Complete protection and greater comfort with Valutek’s cross-linked polyethylene (CPE) shoe cover. Low density CPE is impervious to liquids, lint-free, and does not run or bleed when exposed to water. The CPE shoe cover is disposable and lightweight yet strong and durable with elastic ankle cuffs and long-lasting sole traction.

Color: White

Promo Price: $12.95 per case –  Up To 30% Savings! 

Cleanroom Nylon Fingerless Glove Liner
Item Number: VTGNLR-1/2
Keep operators happy with Valutek’s cleanroom nylon fingerless glove liner. Glove liners, also known as undergloves, make wearing a cleanroom glove more comfortable to the operator. Constructed of a breathable, 13-gauge, 100% virgin nylon knit, provides a comfortable barrier of air between the operator’s skin and glove.

Sizes: One size fits all

Promo Price: $10.95 per bag  –  Buy 3 Bags, Get 1 Bag FREE  

Rising Latex Prices Impacting Other Industries

The rising costs of raw latex materials is impacting more than just latex glove customers. See how these rising costs are impacting the price customers are paying in another industry. Click here to read more.

In our industry, rising cost is one of many reasons we recomend that our customers use latex alternatives such as Nitrile or PVC.

Want a Live Peek Inside one of NASA’s Cleanrooms?

Here in the Valutek office, we’ve made a fascinating discovery – a live feed from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where technicians are working on the next Mars rover, dubbed “Curiosity.”

Today, around noon, about 12 technicians crowded around the vehicle, taking photos, discussing important things (we assume, maybe they were making lunch plans) and inspecting parts. They were of course sporting cleanroom apparel, including coveralls, hoods, booties and face masks.

The Web site that features the live feed explains, “Technicians assembling and testing the Mars Science Laboratory, aka Curiosity, are covered head-to-toe in “bunny suits.” These white smocks, booties and facemasks help protect against Earthly contaminants hitching a ride to Mars.” The site also features videos explaining how the rover is made, how it navigates and other interesting facts about their work.

The site was presumably designed for school children, to stimulate their interest in space and science, but we think it’s pretty cool, too! Have a look at the live feed of the NASA cleanroom for yourself by clicking here.

With our own “Curiosity” now piqued, we searched for other controlled environments willing to let anyone with an Internet connection watch their technicians work. And we came across the University of Alberta’s Nano Fab.

This site really lets your inner voyeur have fun by providing a floor plan of their cleanroom, including the Gowning and Inspection rooms, and Sputtering and Bonding areas. Simply click on your room of choice, and viola! We caught a glimpse of some operators changing into their cleanroom apparel, and even using proper gowning techniques. Watch the live feed from the University of Alberta’s NanoFab by clicking here.