Author: Editor

One Minute Read: Gas Monitoring

Sampling particles in a compressed gas poses different challenges.

Firstly, most gases are readily available in compressed state, with pressure that is much higher than ambient pressure. As a result, prior to measuring the particle in these gases, there will be a need to bring down its pressure using a high-pressure diffuser.

Next, all aerosol particle counters are calibrated using ambient air as a media. Ambient air, however, is in fact a mixture of different gases. As these gases possess different molecular weight, sampling them without correction will result in either over- or under-representation of the number of particles in the sample.

With the Lasair® Pro aerosol particle counter launched by Particle Measuring Systems (PMS), user can now sample gases with peace of mind using Lasair® Pro’s new gas sampling feature which allows users to simply select the type of gas they are sampling and attain error free results as the particle counter adjusts its setting as well as air flow accordingly.

One Minute Read: Comprehensive Labelling and Annotation

Too often, we add handwritten notes onto the particle count report generated from our particle counter because the default information presented on the report is simply not comprehensive enough. However, as we add useful information onto the report, we also invite questions and comments from cleanroom auditors because this practice is regarded as a threat to data integrity according to FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11.

How can we avoid these problems once and for all, then?

Simply by using the Lasair® Pro aerosol particle counter series! – With the new feature that allows users to annotate additional information such as cleanroom type and location – all on the particle counter, and ahead of sampling or even post sampling, Lasair® Pro ensures data integrity as all information entered and stored on the counter is not alterable, hence complying with the 21 CFR Part 11.

But does this mean extra workload as there will be more information to key into the counter?

Not at all thanks to the NFC (Near Field Communication) technology! By pre-setting and uploading specific recipes onto different NFC cards, users can now ensure data integrity and save time from configuring their particle counter when sampling using the Lasair® Pro aerosol particle counter!

One Minute Read: Selectable Particle Size

While most existing cleanroom standards and guidelines spell out the particle size of interest very specifically, these practices provide the ease of data reference for compliance. In meeting compliance and monitoring requirements, having a fixed particle size is certainly very helpful.

However, achieving compliance is not the sole purpose of owning an aerosol particle counter, as there are times when cleanroom operators need to investigate specific particle size of interest to troubleshoot an abnormality or to comply with process requirement. Under these circumstances, a particle sizer or particle impactor is required so that discrete particle sizing can be performed to understand the particle size of interest.

In the past, this has become a reason for organizations to invest for an extra instrument such as a particle sizer. Today, this additional spending can be spared thanks to Particle Measuring Systems (PMS)’s Lasair® Pro! — With its superior laser optical bench, ultra-wide angle light scattering collection, advanced electronics, multiple stage of gain to effectively overcome non-linearity of monotonic light scattering curve, and the unique feature that allows a maximum of 8 channels with different particle sizes of interest, users can now measure particles with different sizes using just one particle counter!

One Minute Read: Cleanroom monitoring — Why does large display and intuitive menu matter?

When working inside a cleanroom, operators are required to don specific cleanroom garments which entails wearing gloves. This poses unique challenge for cleanroom operators who needs to work with a particle counter that comes with a touchscreen as some touchscreens are less responsive to gloved hands, while some others are inherently slow to response. These flaws become amplified when the touchscreen in use is small, and hence difficult to navigate.

Next, despite the advancement of technology which now makes possible many more functions and features in a particle counter, oftentimes many of these innovations are not put to use due to a poorly organized menu which necessitate users to “dive deep” into an endless list of menus and submenus only to locate a specific function.

Being well aware of these daily annoyances many cleanroom operators deal with, Particle Measuring Systems (PMS) has launched a whole new series of aerosol particle counter, the Lasair® Pro that comes with a large 8.4” touchscreen to present to its user a well-structured, intuitive and user-friendly menu, ensuring easy operation and minimal training.