Particle College

Particle Measuring Systems presents Particle College, an educational seminar on the fundamentals of particle counting and its applications.

Through presentations and demonstrations, you will learn about particles, what they are, how they are detected, forces on particles, and what type of instruments are used to quantify these contaminants. Professionals with real-world experience will instruct you on the mechanics of detecting particulates, will discuss the benefits and considerations of various monitoring techniques, and will offer insight on the future trends associated with contamination.

Tuition
The fee for the two-day seminar in Colorado is $1175.00. Registration includes classroom materials as well as breakfast and lunch both days. Additionally, Particle Measuring Systems hosts a dinner on Tuesday evening for all our guests.

CEUs are awarded for this class

For More Information
If you are interested in learning more about Particle College, contact Kirstin Skram at 1-800-238-1801 or email kskram@pmeasuring.com

FAQs

Question What hotel options are available?
Answer Hotel options, including special hotel site discounts will be published late December 2008.

Question Is there a shuttle service from the airport to the Marriott?
Answer Yes, you can make arrangements with the Boulder Super Shuttle for transportation; no car rental is necessary.

Question What time does the class start/end so that I can book flights?
Answer Registration starts at 7:15 am and the class starts at 8:00 am on the first day, and runs until 5:00 pm on the second day. However, you set your own agenda and are free to leave whenever is convenient for you.

On-site Particle College
If your company has several employees who would benefit from Particle College, we also offer customized, on-site training. We will develop a program to cater to your applications, and an expert in contamination monitoring will visit you at your location to deliver interactive presentations and hands-on demonstrations.

The cost of on-site training depends on the scope of the seminar. Contact services@pmeasuring.com or your local sales representative for more information.

Course Descriptions

Particle Physics
Cleanroom basics will be introduced including a review and comparison of ISO and FS209E classifications. Particle size, composition, types, and sources are reviewed in a detailed look at particle basics. Also discussed are commonly used measurements to define the size irregular shaped particles and the implication of each technique. Additionally, particle concentrations in liquid and air samples are explored.

Particle Mechanics
Particle behavior is presented by reviewing the transport characteristics, interactions and various forces on particles. Filtration mechanisms and filter efficiency curves are introduced for air and liquid systems. The role of index of refraction, particle size and shape are reviewed. In addition, the principles of Rayleigh and Mie light scattering are covered including basic scattering relationships.

Contamination Monitoring Instruments
This presentation introduces the fundamentals of Optical Particle Counters. Topics include OPC design and specifications, industry nomenclature, laser light and detector basics, instrument types, and a discussion on sensor resolution and accuracy. The objective of the presentation is to establish a common background and language that will contribute to a better functional understanding of Optical Particle Counters.

Filtration Basics
This presentation will introduce the basics of filtration in liquids and aerosols. Filter mechanisms will be covered as will a discussion on filter characteristics and performance. Properties of common filters, the types of filter media, and the difference between depth and surface filtration will be explained. This presentation is meant as an introduction to the subject matter.

Introduction to Molecular Contamination
An overview describing molecular contamination, its sources, effects, and how it interacts with materials. The objective of this session is to provide an understanding of common molecular contamination problems and how these problems can be resolved

Introduction to Monitoring Particles in Air
Introduction to the types of particle counters used to monitor aerosol particles. The equipment includes particle counters, spectrometers, monitors and sensors. A comparison between mobile, fixed, and sequential monitoring along with the advantages and disadvantages of each method are covered. Additionally, specialized applications and possible types of devices to monitor those applications are discussed.

Introduction to Liquid Particle Counting
This presentation introduces the different types of liquid particle counting systems and discusses the pros and cons of each. Particle monitoring schemes are presented with commentary on advantages and disadvantages of each. Methods of performance verification are presented and data is used to help provide a better understanding of calibration accuracy in these high performance products.

Advanced Liquid Particle Counting
We delve into the more difficult areas of liquid particle counting, including what happens to particle sizing when the index of refraction changes in the fluid, particle, or both. What constitutes statistical significance, and is there anything that can improve the data quality? In the remaining time we will discuss the issues of importance to you. Bring your difficult liquid application questions and we will share our knowledge with you.

Pharmaceutical Environmental Monitoring Systems
Learn the current and changing trends in the GMP requirements for environmental monitoring in pharmaceutical cleanrooms. The session reviews how GMP reflects on how monitoring must and should be performed and how to implement monitoring solutions to meet those needs.

Pharmaceutical Legislative Requirements
How to apply the current legislation for environmental monitoring into real solutions, both portable and continuous monitoring is covered with examples of instrument placement used in monitoring. Learn how to qualify a process relative to risk and choose the most suitable location to give ongoing risk based data. Reporting of data to inspectorate and definition of alert and action levels.

Pharmaceutical Liquids
USP, EP and JP requirements define the limits and test requirements for pharmaceutical injectable liquids. the session looks at those requirements and how the original limits were defined, it also reviews suitable acceptance criteria for product qualification and release.

Surface Particle Monitoring
This presentation introduces the methods and techniques for part cleanliness testing of common parts used within the semiconductor, disc drive, automotive and pharmaceutical/medical device industries. Topics include methods of particle extraction, techniques for measuring particles, data analysis and optimizing parameters of ultrasonic extraction.

Calibration of Particle Counters
Our demonstration will include both aerosol and liquid calibration setups. A technician at each set up will work through some simple steps and be available to address attendee questions and explain the mechanics of calibration. These will not be formal stand-up presentations but rather informal gatherings around the equipment.

Advanced Light Scattering
This presentation will look in depth at Mie, Rayleigh, and other theories of light scattering. We will discuss the origins of the equations and how they were derived and take a closer look at the influence of particle size, index of refraction, and shape on scattering intensity.

Microbial Air Sampling Techniques and Regulations
Present and discuss EU and FDA GMP requirements for cleanroom and process monitoring for microbioloigcal contamination. Session includes further introductory discussions on different techniques and technologies that are applied across regulated industries to monitor for microbial contaminants with a particular focus on active air sampling devices.

Demonstration Stations

Liquid Particle Monitoring & Data Analysis
This session will focus on using statistics to determine the sizing accuracy and counting efficiency of a liquid particle counter. The technique for calculating these statistics will be reviewed and we will utilize the Sizing Accuracy calculation spreadsheet that we have developed.

Considerations for Choosing a Microbial Air Sampler
A discussion of the top priorities from amongst the sampler selection criteria laid out by the standard. The MiniCapt can be used as a demo prop to show how these considerations are turned into features and capabilities of properly designed microbial air sampling equipment.

Cleanroom Certification and Products
A discussion of the differences between Certification vs Monitoring of cleanrooms and how the particle counter used for certification impacts the certification process. Review of ISO 14644-1 and 2 and what is required to perform a clean room certification. An overview of the various Particle Measuring System products which can be used for cleanroom certification.

Facility Monitoring Systems
Examine clean room monitoring systems with an emphasis on the software utilized to collect and analyze the particulate data. Review how the data is transmitted and collected from the instruments and how data can be used for process analysis. Analyze historical particulate data to see how the software can convert data into information.

Aerosol Monitoring Equipment
This demonstration station provides an opportunity to understand the interface of the particle counter, perform a simple setup, take air samples, and review/understand the data. The demo equipment will include the most common particle counters employed in airborne contamination applications.

Molecular Contamination Monitoring Techniques
An in-depth discussion of how molecular contamination is monitored. Analytical techniques and monitoring strategies will be presented. The objective of this session is to provide the information necessary to establish a cleanroom molecular contamination monitoring program.

*Book: Understanding Liquid Particle Counters