Industrial and Advanced Technologies (I&AT) began as Industrial Design Corporation (IDC) in 1985 with a staff of 37. The firms of Walker Engineering joined IDC in 1992, Wright, Williams, and Kelly in 1993, Paragon Structural Design, Inc. in 1994, and the firm of Lockwood Green joined in 2003. Today, (2013), I&AT staff numbers over 1,300 professionals located in 14 offices throughout the U.S., as well as in Asia, Europe, and the Mideast. [For more details, read Expansions/Affiliates-Subsidiaries/IDC]
Examples of I&AT’s, Today’s IDC, Technology Innovation
Advancing Semiconductor Industry Research and Technology. In the early days of the semiconductor industry, I&AT was a major contributor to Sematech’s Factory of the Future research, which produced many standard-setting findings for the industry. Over the years, the firm maintained close ties to industry and university micro contamination research programs (SEMATECH, University of Arizona, University of Minnesota, and others) as well as close ties to equipment manufacturers to help them devise new ways to improve the efficiency of their products.
Cleanroom Technology. Development of advanced cleanroom technology, including patented cleanroom designs, was pivotal to the evolution of the world’s most advanced cleanrooms.
Modular Data Center Design. I&AT has been a pioneer in the development of modular concepts to significantly reduce data center energy usage while improving the portability, flexibility, and long-term cost-effectiveness of data center operations. In 2013, the firm implemented an innovative patent-pending “Bank in a Box” modular data center concept developed for the National Bank of Abu Dhabi.
300-mm Semiconductor Wafer Processing Technology. I&AT was instrumental in enabling the microelectronic industry’s transition to 300-mm semiconductor manufacturing technology. For 2 years prior to the arrival of the industry’s first 300-mm processing tools, the firm’s technologists were visiting the world’s leading microelectronics manufacturers to explain how 300-mm technology would need to be implemented in their facilities.
Makeup Air Handling Technology. I&AT developed the proprietary OptiMAH makeup air handling technology that has enabled clients to reduce the energy required for industrial makeup air handling by more than 25 percent.
Advanced Industrial Emissions Control Technology. I&AT developed the advanced industrial emissions control technology that both reduces energy costs and more efficiently scrubs a range of industrial emissions.
Energy Modeling. I&AT led the development of facility models incorporating energy/cooling demands including related water consumption correlated to localized climactic data, energy costs, water quality, and water costs in key locations. Also included are models of various capital and operating conditions against return on investment (ROI) and other metrics relevant to sustainability such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) certification.
Cost Modeling and Cost Reduction Technology. The experience I&AT has gained through our involvement in the design and construction of many microelectronics facilities has enabled us to develop one of the industry’s most comprehensive databases for the accurate determination of costs for facility design, construction, and operation. These technologies have saved millions of dollars for clients in both new as well as existing facilities.
Molecular Contamination Analysis and Control. I&AT developed leading-edge strategies for the reduction of both particulate and molecular contamination in cleanrooms, including a comprehensive database of cleanroom construction materials whose contamination potential has been ranked based on sophisticated laboratory testing methods. This knowledge is valuable to clients wishing to procure materials that can reduce contamination contributed by construction materials.
Cleanroom Airflow Modeling. I&AT was the first firm to use computational fluid dynamics technology for the computerized analysis and optimization of cleanroom airflows. Airflow modeling allows designers to simulate a variety of airflow schemes that factor in different configurations of cleanroom tools and furnishings so that air schemes can be fine-tuned to meet the unique needs of a specific manufacturing environment.
I&AT Licensed Technologies
Cleanroom Air Handling Technology. This is a patented, totally integrated air handling technology that reduces noise, controls vibration, and directly reduces the operating costs of new or existing buildings.
AcoustiFLO. This “quiet fan” air handler product improved the stability of airflow management in highly sensitive contamination control environments such as semiconductor cleanrooms.
Makeup Air Handling System. This technology dramatically reduces the lifetime operating costs of air handling systems, particularly in tropical climates.
Airborne Molecular Contamination. This is a patented airflow handling scheme that brings new solutions to the reduction of cleanroom contamination levels.
FabManager. This is a software system that encompasses full semiconductor facility data management, including process tools, utility systems, building systems, control systems, and automation systems. It also includes design management, industrial engineering management, cost of ownership records, capital budgeting, maintenance, construction management and scheduling, and the procurement and warehousing of supplies.
Work and Permit Manager. This is software that tracks planned work in facilities as well as the regulatory permits required to perform that work. This product maximizes efficiency and helps avoid risks by delivering comprehensive coordination of all work and permitting activities throughout a facility. It also stores easily retrievable “lessons learned” for specific jobs to help avoid past problems.
Point Trakker. This is specialized software to facilitate reliable and cost-effective control of high-technology life safety systems.