Sigma-Aldrich Corporation Release: SAFC Biosciences Hitech Introduces Large Scale Bubbler for Compound Semiconductor Production

ST. LOUIS, June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAFC Hitech(TM), a focus area within SAFC(R), a member of the Sigma-Aldrich Group , today announced the introduction of the OM700, a bubbler that offers customers a cost-efficient migration path to controlled precursor delivery for larger lot sizes, enabling a reduction in process downtime, combined with increased safety controls.

The OM700 offers reliable and very controllable dosimetry of highly sensitive organometallic precursors, such as trimethylgallium (TMG), trimethylaluminum (TMA) and triethylgallium (TEG), in production environments where downtime is prohibitively expensive. The large capacity of the OM700, which can support up to 13 kg of precursor, reduces the frequency of container change outs, thereby minimizing downtime and bubbler manipulation safety hazards by enabling larger batch sizes. Additionally, the OM700's flux stability covers a range of operating temperatures from -10 degrees C to +30 degrees C, and ensures that all processes can be run at peak efficiency.

The combination of advantages associated with the OM700 in a production environment results in reduced operational costs without compromised performance. In existing large bubbler technology, maintaining temperature control is often difficult because they use conventional heater baths. Another limitation of current bubbler technology is that the size of the bubbler itself is restricted to that of the installed bath. The OM700 overcomes these issues with an independent heating jacket and thermal control system that enable an increased volume to accommodate over nine liters of metal alkyl, while still maintaining strict temperature and operational controls.

Commenting on the introduction of the OM700, Dr. Peter Heys, Research and Development Director at SAFC Hitech, said, "As the demand for higher throughput and process efficiency grows, more efficient methods for precursor delivery will be required. We are seeing significant demand in this area, and the OM700 complements our range of solutions. Our EpiFill system has been proven for many years, and our new EpiVapor unit builds on this technology for true, large-scale operation, with the OM700 now offering an attractive intermediate solution."

The OM700 system is presently available. For more information, please visit http://www.safchitech.com.

About SAFC Hitech: SAFC Hitech provides a unique chemistry service translating application understanding into performance materials worldwide. Through collaborative partnerships and an integrated approach from research and development, process development and scale up to commercial manufacturing, SAFC Hitech invests in innovation and manufacturing enabling current and future technology needs. Further information can be found at http://www.safchitech.com.

About SAFC: SAFC(R) is the custom manufacturing and services group within Sigma-Aldrich that focuses on high-purity inorganics for high technology applications, cell culture products and services for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biochemical production and the manufacturing of complex, multi-step organic synthesis of APIs and key intermediates. SAFC has manufacturing facilities around the world dedicated to providing manufacturing services for companies requiring a reliable partner to produce their custom manufactured materials. SAFC has four focus areas -- SAFC Pharma(TM), SAFC Supply Solutions(R), SAFC Biosciences(TM), and SAFC Hitech(TM) -- and had annual sales of nearly $600 million in 2007. SAFC is one of the world's 10 largest fine chemical businesses. For more information about SAFC, visit http://www.safcglobal.com.

About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 36 countries and has 7,900 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.

SAFC(R), SAFC Supply Solutions(R) and Sigma-Aldrich(R) are registered trademarks and SAFC Pharma(TM), SAFC Biosciences(TM) and SAFC Hitech(TM) are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology L.P. and Sigma-Aldrich Co.



CONTACT: Dr. Frank Wicks, President of SAFC, +1-314-286-8008; or Mr. Mark
Button, Impress Public Relations, +1-408-310-2168, mark@impress-pr.com, for
Sigma-Aldrich

Web site: http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/
http://www.safchitech.com/
http://www.safcglobal.com/

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