Renovation Update

Hello all --

Inquiring minds really want to know, but I'm afraid we still do not yet
have a definite lab opening date. Please be assured, progress is very
good and inspections are mostly done. The lab is now officially no
longer a construction zone, so SNF staff were allowed back into the lab
yesterday (yay!) Note that this is ONE WEEK AHEAD of the schedule
posted in December. A lot of whining from us persuaded the project
managers to work hard to bring in the date. Many thanks and kudos to
the excellent construction team who worked extra shifts and weekends to
make it happen.

There are still, however, a number of to-be-resolved issues. Most are
unrelated to the original renovation; they nonetheless prevent the lab
from opening, just yet. Permit inspections highlighted code compliance
issues (who knew there's an ADA requirement that all flashing emergency
beacons, i.e., fire and TGO alarms, be synched?) And some renovation
tasks triggered other upgrade projects. In short, there will continue
to be planned interruptions in building-wide facilities over the next
several days (namely, process cooling water, compressed air and
nitrogen, as well as local facilities testing/validation for the new
building control system). This weekend, there will be another round of
professional cleaning, a best-practices 24-hour "rest time", and then
recertification of the cleanroom Monday.

The SNF staff plans to make as much use of this time as possible.
There was a lot more involved in this shutdown than in our regular
annual routine so will take more time than usual to recover. The
maintenance crew is cautiously turning tools on. Process staff is
decontaminating. Everyone is helping move the portable tools back into
the lab and setting them up again. However, until we are done with the
rolling facilities blackouts, we won't be able to fully turn on and test
tools.

Please be aware that the cleanroom remains off-limits and closed for all
except relevant personnel. Everyone is welcome to view the lab from the
outside (although if all has gone well, you shouldn't see any
significant changes.) But if you'd like to look at it from the inside,
there is only one way: volunteers are welcome to help with
decontamination and wipe downs - though you must accompany a staff
member as there are "dirty zones" and ongoing repair and project work
that must not be disrupted.

Please also be aware that last phase of the renovation, the
Nanosynthesis Lab, is just starting. This means that the hall area
outside the gowning room, just beyond the Receiving area corridor,
remains a construction zone and therefore is off limits to all except
construction crews. Make sure to observe the red tape and signs.

Many thanks for your patience -- we are all very excited about the
renovated lab (you would not believe how quiet the lab is with the new
HEPAs!) and will continue to keep you posted as we get nearer to
bringing up the lab.

Your SNF Staff

--
Mary X. Tang, Ph.D.
Stanford Nanofabrication Facility
Paul G. Allen Room 136, Mail Code 4070
Stanford, CA 94305
(650)723-9980
mtang@stanford.edu
http://snf.stanford.edu