High Productivity Development(tm) Approach Applies Combinatorial
Science to Analyze Multiple Process Enhancements Simultaneously,
Reducing R&D Risks of Conventional Methods
Screening Directly On Single Wafers Shaves Weeks Off Data Collection
and Accelerates Ability to Assess New Chemistries and Materials
At a Fraction of Previous Costs
DANBURY, Conn., July 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- ATMI, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATMI) today officially launched four High Productivity Development(tm) Centers in the United States and Asia to provide customers with a more rapid and efficient method of integrating new development and manufacturing processes.
At the Centers -- in Connecticut, California, Taiwan, and Japan -- ATMI conducts experiments designed in collaboration with customers that, by processing as little as a single wafer or coupon, can evaluate up to 192 different test chemistries at once. The Combinatorial Screening method allows independent control of formulation, stir rate, and exposure time at each independent test site on a wafer, generating a rich source of data in a fraction of the time and cost associated with conventional qualification methods.
By making it possible to assess large numbers of precisely varied chemical formulations concurrently, the technology generates large amounts of meaningful data in a very short period of time, explained Doug Neugold, ATMI's Chief Executive Officer.
"New materials are being introduced into manufacturing processes at an unprecedented pace -- so fast, that integrating them becomes a time-consuming, high-cost, high-risk proposition," Neugold said. "Our customers are specifically seeking out ATMI to use our High Productivity Development Center expertise to help them overcome their materials roadmap challenges. Working in close consultation, we are helping them solve the myriad critical problems in sub-optimized processes. At our Centers, we have a unique ability to apply our chemistry, workflow, and process knowledge on our customers' behalf to help them reduce their costs and risks by dramatically shortening their development time."
For example, ATMI used a combinatorial workflow to speed development of a new post-Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) cleaning formulation for one of its customers. Wafers from the manufacturer had undergone normal copper metallization and CMP processes. Applying High Productivity Development tools and methods, ATMI engineers devised and conducted 1300 experiments on 16 wafers in three-and-a-half weeks. The same tests using conventional methods would have required at least 1300 wafers and a span of approximately six months. In addition to shaving weeks off the effort, ATMI produced a new cleans process with a stable copper surface and low roughness that exceeded the customer's demanding specifications.
"Combinatorial screening telescopes multiple cycles of learning; constant feedback from ongoing test results increases the probability of success when introducing a new material," Neugold added. "Not only do the gains in process efficiency provide customers with a better return on their capital investment, but also leads the way to achieving higher yields."
An important factor in giving customers a high degree of confidence that new developments will integrate well with their upstream and downstream processes is the value and quantity of relevant data generated in a High Productivity Development workflow. Specialized informatics software serves as an interface with applications for designing experiments (such as statistical packages) and with machine programming that controls and executes multiple simultaneous experiments. A separate data engine not only collects and reports results, but also archives findings so they can be referenced months or years later to guide the design of new studies.
In leading up to today's launch of its High Productivity Development Centers, ATMI developed new materials and process flows for critical manufacturing challenges presented by every one of its major customers. Currently in operation are Centers in Danbury, Conn., at the Company's corporate and R&D headquarters; San Jose, Calif., where ATMI has partnered with Intermolecular Inc.; and Hsinchu, Taiwan. A fourth site, in Kyoto, Japan, is currently coming on line and offers the same range of capabilities as the others.
Manufacturing applications for which the Centers have developed new solutions for critical customer needs include:
* Copper Post CMP Cleaning * Non-selective Oxide Etching * High Dose Implant Strip * Copper Post Etch Residue Removal * Electroless Cobalt Deposition * High k, Metal Gate Cleaning
Additional information on ATMI's High Productivity Development technology is available at http://atmi.com/semiconductor/solution_hpd.htm
About ATMI, Inc.
ATMI provides innovative materials and high-purity materials handling and process efficiency solutions designed to increase production yields, accelerate new product introductions, reduce capital expenditures, and mitigate risks for its global semiconductor, flat panel, and specialized process customers. As The Source of Process Efficiency(tm), ATMI draws upon its extensive materials expertise and the application of proprietary high productivity development techniques to rapidly identify and characterize new material technologies that reduce development cycle time and enable faster time-to-market for customers. By working collaboratively with customers to improve their process efficiencies, ATMI delivers measurable value and return on investment. For more information, please visit www.atmi.com or http://investor.atmi.com/releases.cfm
ATMI and High Productivity Development are trademarks or registered trademarks of Advanced Technology Materials Inc. in the United States, other countries are both.
The ATMI, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5254
Statements contained herein that relate to ATMI's future performance, including, without limitation, statements with respect to ATMI's anticipated results of operations or level of business for 2008 or any other future period, are forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on current expectations only and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, but not limited to, changes in semiconductor industry growth (including, without limitation, wafer starts) or ATMI's markets; competition, problems, or delays developing and commercializing new products; problems or delays in integrating acquired operations and businesses; and other factors described in ATMI's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. ATMI undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.