Research and Development
Finding analytical solutions to support leading-edge process developments and resolve manufacturing issues has been our strategy since our foundation. This history of innovation explains why Balazs remains on the cutting edge in all areas of its activities.
Air Liquide has over 5,000 patents under its belt. Balazs is an active contributor to acquiring new patents. Balazs supports technolgy development by investing time and resources to help our customers reach the next technology node, increase production yields or any other analytical requirement.
Projects may be initiated by customers, industry, internal requests or pending government regulations. The priority of projects, like anything else, is somewhat subjective. Balazs generally bases project priority on industry direction, our knowledge base for the topic of interest and equipment set required. Some of the industry groups we support include:
- Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI)
- International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS)
- National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)
- International Disk Drive Equipment and Materials Association (IDEMA)
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Currently we have 5 PhD and 4 chemists dedicated solely to R&D and specific problem-solving projects. Air Liquide affords us the opportunity to constantly evaluate new R&D projects to grow and support industry demands.
Dr. Hugh Gotts
Dr. Hugh Gotts is the Director of Research and Development for Balazs NanoAnalysis Services and is responsible for the development of analytical methods for lab based as well as on-line analyses. Hugh has worked for Philips Semiconductors developing the measurement of online thin film analysis and established Analytical Services Group, LLC. which provided consulting and analysis services to major silicon valley Semiconductor and OEM companies. Hugh is the Chairman of the SEMI International Photovoltaic Analytical Test Methods Task Force. In July 2013 Hugh received a SEMI North America Standards Merit Award for the successful development of PV49-0613. Hugh became an Air Liquide Fellow in 2013. Hugh has been involved in Electronics with emphasis on analytical method and program development for customers in various disciplines of chemical physics. His work has lead to Air Liquide/Balazs being recognized as a leader in Vibrational spectroscopy and material and failure analysis. Hugh also has significant experience with in surface analysis through his time at Surface Science Laboratories. This includes extensive work with Auger Microprobe, XPS, ToF SIMS, and SEM-EDS to examine thin films.