Michigan Tech Case Study (1)

Applied Chemical and Morphological AnalysisLaboratory S-TEM

We approach our work from a Whole Facility Design Perspective, resulting in elegant, efficient engineering solutions that are practical and reliable, maximizing your long term benefit from your facility.

Challenge

The S-TEM facility at Michigan Technological University is a 1,500 s.f. addition to the newly constructed Advanced Technology Development Complex (ATDC).   The new scanning transmission electron microscope (S-TEM) complements the existing array of tools and opens a new world of discovery for the Applied Chemical and Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL), providing a view into atomic-level interactions that effect materials, chemicals, and other substances at a macro-scale. Assuring that the S-TEM was located in a clean, quiet, low vibration, low EMI and controlled temperature environment were key to assuring that the ACMAL users would get the performance out of the equipment that they were anticipating.

Solution

Hallam-ICS joined the project as the lead consultant. We assisted in the evaluation/selection of the proposed locations for the microscope suite in cooperation with the S-TEM vendor, EMI/vibration consultant and MTU. We settled on an addition to MTU’s ATDC Facility as the best location. We collaborated with a local civil/structural firm and hustled to release an early civil/structural design package, allowing the foundations, structure and building envelope to be completed before the Northern Michigan winter set in.

We followed with an architectural, mechanical, electrical fitup package that was completed over the winter. Throughout the design process, we focused on a structure that would introduce mass and stiffness to resist vibration, material density to reduce noise, separation distance to reduce EMI, including isolated mechanical and control rooms, and architectural products and details maintain cleanability. We paid close attention to the new mechanical/electrical systems that we designed to assure that they would not introduce new sources of vibration, noise and EMI into the facility. By planning and building these elements into the facility design, we delivered a high performance laboratory, meeting the manufacturer’s environmental specifications, without the use of specialized EMI shielding systems or specialized vibration isolation, allowing the project to conclude within the original budget and schedule.

We were responsible for all of the technical design features of the space including acoustics, electromagnetic interference, vibration, cleanliness, precision temperature control and safety. Disciplines designed by Hallam-ICS included plumbing, fire protection, fire protection, HVAC, process cooling water, electrical, security and tel/data. Due to ambient environmental conditions and time constraints the project design documents were issued in two phases. Phase one included all enabling site work and created a weather tight enclosure to avoid the complications of winter construction. Phase two fit out the interior of the space with all mechanical, electrical and architectural finishes.

Results

Our team accomplished the following:

  • Delivered a high-performance microscope suite within the original budget and schedule by incorporating innovative design solutions that avoided costly specialized EMI shielding and vibration isolation.
  • Completed the project in two phases, enabling essential site work and a weather-tight enclosure before winter, ensuring uninterrupted progress and interior fit-out during colder months.
  • Designed all technical aspects, including acoustics, EMI reduction, vibration resistance, cleanliness, and precision temperature control, to meet stringent environmental requirements while collaborating with diverse stakeholders for seamless integration.

Partial Project Team

Jamie_Spalding-1-1
Jamie Spalding
Mechanical Engineer
Mark Felgate-1
Mark Felgate, PE
Lead Electrical Engineer