Date: 3/25/2026
This project is now fully completed.
Date: 11/14/2025
Phase I of the Chemical Fume Hood Replacement Project has been successfully completed. The two new chemical fume hoods in Rooms 1413 and 1417 will be available for use starting 11/17/25. The new fume hoods are equipped with enhanced safety and operational features. All users are required to strictly follow the operating instructions posted on the new fume hoods, particularly the guidelines regarding:
- The types of chemicals permitted in each fume hood
- The proper procedure for chemical waste disposal into the cup sinks
If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact Xuekun, John, Jack, or Conor for assistance.
Phase II of the project will begin on 11/17/25, in Room 1443 and part of Room 1417. During this phase, all chemical fume hoods in Room 1443 and the old fume hood in Room 1417 will be unavailable starting 11/17/25.
All users MUST remove any chemicals and containers from these areas on or before November 16, 2025. Any items left behind will be cleared by staff, and users will be charged staff service fees for those cleanups.
During Phase II operations, please follow these arrangements:
- For photoresist developing, use the new fume hood in Room 1413. (Note: the light inside this hood will remain OFF until the correct filter is received and installed.)
- For acid/base chemical processing, use the fume hood in Room 1439.
- For spin coating and solvent processing, use either the new chemical fume hood in Room 1417 or the fume hood in Room 1435.
There will be a scheduled DI water shutdown starting on Saturday, 11/22/25, through Monday, 11/24/25. During this period, there will be no DI water available in the facility, except for the DI supply to the two new fume hoods. DI water is planned to resume on Tuesday, 11/25.
Date: 10/3/2025
FM Notification to Shut Down Multiple Systems at Atkinson Hall
- Start: Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 6:00 a.m.
- End: Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.
- System(s) to be Shut Down: Domestic Cold Water, Nitrogen and Compressed Air
- Purpose of Shutdown/Notification: To install new points of connection for the new eye wash station and emergency shower, and perform nitrogen and compressed air wet bench tie ins.
- Effect on Building Occupants: There will be no domestic water in the Nano3 Cleanroom, and labs 1412, 1414, 1416, 1416B, 1416A, 1418, 1420, and 1422. This will affect eye wash stations and showers. Lab 1417, southside Lithography, and northside of lab at E-Beam Lithography will be without nitrogen and compressed air.
Date: 10/2/2025
Big and beautiful new chemical fume hoods/benches has been put in place in the photolithography rooms 1413 & 1417. Soon they will be available to users.

Date: 10/1/2025
We deep cleaned the floor of rooms 1413 & 1417. Most of the dried photoresist stains are cleaned off. The floors look much better now.
Before and After:

Date: 9/9/2025
Farewell to the old chemical fume hoods/benches in the photolithography rooms 1413 & 1417. They have been disconnected from their exhaust ducts and ready to be taken out of the Cleanroom. New fume hoods to be installed soon.

Date: 8/27/2025
We are trying our best to relocating tools in the photolithography rooms 1413 & 1417 to maximize the tool accessibility during the Phase I.
The MA6 mask aligner and the EVG 620 mask aligner will continue to be accessible during the Phase I. They have been relocated to room 1405. Thanks to all the Equipment Team members.
As a reminder, 9/1/25 will be the last day that the two no-sash solvent fume hoods and the two white plastic developing benches in rooms 1413 & 1417 are available for use. Please make necessary arrangements to adapt to this change. On 9/2/25, staff will need to clear the above mentioned fume hoods.
Date: 8/14/2025
As mentioned in the March Newsletter, Nano3 will be upgrading the existing chemical fume hoods in the wet etching room (1443), and the photolithography rooms (1413 & 1417), with new, state-of-the-art chemical fume hoods that provide enhanced safety features. This project will be conducted in two phases, and we will keep you informed.
Phase I: Photolithography Rooms 1413 & 1417
Starting September 2, 2025, room 1413 will be unavailable, and only part of room 1417 will be available (see attached photo). The availability of chemical fume hoods/benches and tools in these rooms will be impacted. Below is a summary.
| Lithography Room 1413 | |
| Availbility | |
| Room 1413 | NO |
| Solvent bench | NO |
| Developing bench | NO |
| MA6 mask aligner | NO |
| EVG aligner | NO |
| Lithography Room 1417 | |
| Room 1417 | partial available |
| Developing bench | NO |
| Solvent bench without sash | NO |
| Solvent bench with sash | YES |
To minimize disruptions, we will try to rearrange tools, such as the optical microscope, hotplates, and spinners, to provide continued access during Phase I. Chemical fume hoods in other rooms, such as 1443 and 1439, will remain available for use.
Phase I is expected to be completed by mid-November.
