Purdue University Birck Nanotechnology Sub Fab Lab

The Purdue Birck Nanotechnology Center is home to Purdue’s advanced research and development on semiconductors and other technology at the atomic scale. Representatives needed to evaluate the existing exhaust system in the Birck nanotechnology lab due to diminishing capacity and the need to add an additional lab in the building.

The lab would have to remain fully operational while the upgrades were being completed. Additionally, duct work needed to run directly through the existing lab portion of the building to reach the exhaust fans, which made construction challenging due to the limited space. The solution would increase the exhaust system capacity.

MNA’s years of experience in lab design led to the engineered solution and installation of parallel, high plume exhaust fans on the rooftop to increase the system’s capacity and kept the exhaust duct work physically connected as a single duct pathway. Several controls isolation dampers were installed to enable flexibility in designating the separation of exhaust systems as additional flows were introduced. The effort to overcome the challenges and hard work provided a solution that left Purdue representatives very satisfied with the project outcomes.