Genetic Circuits

Apple iBook Repair / ATI Video Chip

Ibook Repair: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions offered

We have seen a significant trend in intermittent ATI video chips on laptop motherboards.  Most common type is the on the Apple iBook G3 and G4 Logic Boards.  FirstPhase Tech has identified that there are periodic stress fractures on the BGA that cause video failure.  Using our BGA inspection scope  we have identified that there are inconsistent sized solder joints beneath the device.  Inconsistent solder paste volume during the manufacture of the logic board results in stress not being distributed evenly (the smaller, lower mass solder joints take on the majority of the expansion stress which over time causing them to fracture.

This analogy can be likened to 2 steel plates side by side with  a matrix of connecting ropes between them. Most of the ropes are 3ft in length but a select few of the ropes are 2ft and 11in. As the plates separate from each other repeatedly over time, the ropes that are 2ft 11, since they are shorter in length, break since they handle most of the stress.

To date we have successfully repaired about 120 of these now for various customers providing  our BGA chip reflow service. This may be a correction to the symptom, but likely not the cause. Our first repaired units have been in operation for over a year with no re-occurence of the problem. It is very unlikely you get any more time out of our repair than you got originally. For example, if it has taken 2 years for the device to have fractured solder joints, you will likely only see another 2 years at best before it re-occurs. For most people this is just fine since they do plan to upgrade  before that time. The only way to completely repair both the symptom and combat the cause would be to remove the BGA device, reball and re-install it onto the motherboard. The cost for this would be at minimum $75.00

First Phase Technologies does offer the basic BGA reflow for $50.00 ($35.00 for 3 or more at one time). PLEASE NOTE: The services listed do not include removing or re-installing the motherboard, we leave that up to experienced Apple techs. Cost is just to repair the device. For more information on the process visit our website www.firstphasetech.com and click on BGA or Advanced package rework. Email tomfpt@gmail.com, Or to speak to an experienced rework tech on the process Call Toll Free 800-718-0206.  We accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Paypal.

Biotech Learning: What Can I Do with your lab training? Example 1

Bioworkforce Training Phoenix-

I often hear the question: What Can I do after I take your lab workshops? and where can I take this experience to get a job? Very, very relevant questions. In reality though,  unless you're 18 years old, have no kids, little or no debt and have time for 2, 4 or possibly 6 more years of fairly demanding college study this is a career enhancing alternative. I hope you have somewhat of an idea where this skillset can be used before you come to our workshops.  These are purely workshops. Albeit expensive, but very informative and designed to complement (not replace) your primary skillset. We are obviously not producing scientists with our workshops, or training anyone even close to the level of a degree'd 2 or 4 year lab technician. We are however, preparing experienced professionals for the  positions that support the drug discovery and research scientists with relevant experience and information.

Example 1, Sales:  My name is Troy Miller, I have been in semiconductor sales here in Phoenix for the last 8 years. I have a degree in marketing and sales is my thing! I Love to sell! I start to see more and more semi manufacturing facilities go offshore, and less here in the states. My semi equipment, materials and supply sales is dwindling and is saturated here in the Phoenix area. Biotech seems to be an up and coming technology, especially here in Arizona. At 43 years old, where can I gain the core knowledge of this industry (at a convenient time and location) to combine with my years in sales and marketing? Where can I prepare to go into a bio start up or research company, effectively respond to an ad for their new sale respresentative. What will allow me to talk shop with the large bio-lab equipment providers?

First Phase Tech offers this core knowledge and not just the week you come in and work in our lab, but throughout your whole technology growth process! We are creating long term relationships! Call us 4 months from now, view our FPT Learning site for information, or stop by any day or time. We will be here for you and we have scientists with answers to your questions (or we know where to get them)!

For more information visit: First Phase Technologies

Lab Work at FirstPhase Tech

As I continue to with my online studies and evening labwork at our Tempe lab, I am enthused by what we have in place and what we can accomplish every night. It is very rewarding to actually perform the lab functions I see online in my coursework  in Molecular Biology Methods. My key employees, customers and suppliers on the electronics side often ask me "Is this something I can learn"? One thing I explain is that the low level, combinatorial chemistry, (although very useful theory to understand) is not required to perform very relevent lab protocols and potentially work in a manufacturing environment. This is our goal, to help create this workforce! If half of what I read and hear discussed is true regarding a need for  a strong bio-tech workforce here in Phoenix, then these workshops serve as an excellent resource to learn many core lab functions. We hope that our workshops stimulate collaboration opportunites with others in this exciting field. I plan to have our manufacturing personnel transition into the bio manufacturing environment. I am expecting requirements for many custom sample preparations, cell line or plasmid replications or perhaps custom antibody arrays for diagnostics being a deliverable to research customers here in the near future much like the prototype electronics assembly or substrate technologies helped to form the industrial Phoenix Arizona.

First Phase Ebay Store

First Phase Technologies has re-opened its online eBay store where we have listed everything from electronic components, life science lab equipment and a variety of services. One item that may be of interest is a table top photoplotter made by Bungard. This unit is ideal for a start up board fabrication house or phototool center. The unit is brand new in the box and  although it lists for $8500.00 we are selling it for $5500 and throwing in 2 flourescent green lights, a bottle of fixer and developer and a new box of Kodak film. We originally purchased the unit for mask development but found out it did not have the resolution for nanoscale plotting we required. Check our ebay store often as we add on a vast array of electronics components from IC's to Mil Circular connectors.

e-learning and Hands on Bio Workshops

Just wanted to say a few words about our partnership with Biotech Learning Institute.  I can't think of a better way to get familiar with the growing field of biotechnology.  These accredited online courses can be accessed 24 hours a day and pick up right where you left off each time. As a manufacturing process and test engineer in electronics, I find the biotech material to be interesting and easy to follow. The good thing is that you can work at your own pace and there is a glossary and links to some great additional information. Step through the training modules as many times as necessary to grasp the material. First Phase Tech offers these online courses at a discount as well as hands on workshops to compliment the online courses. From DNA Chips to Bioinformatics, get going today on these great instructional courses!

New Clean Room

First Phase Technologies and Flowchips announce that they have acquired and plan to install/construct a 2000 sq ft cleanroom in their Medtronic Way facility. It is a class 1000 cleanroom that will enhance our microarray capability as well as provide space for developing biosensors and developmental hardware. Need clean room space for your project? Give us a call!

Genetic Circuits

Genetic Circuits is a name I found (and liked) on the cover of Scientific American. It was in reference to an article that talked about the future of DNA synthesis in which bio-engineers can fabricate DNA sequences (genes) for drug discovery and reproductive cell growth much in the same way early semiconductor engineers used planar technology to develop integrated circuits into microprocessors. The article was very intriguing to me. So much so that I immediately went to Go Daddy and bought the domain name "geneticcircuits.com" and also registered the trade name with the State of Arizona.  Genetic Circuits and this Blog outlines the business partnerships of four organizations operating in consortium within our facility on Medtronic Way in Tempe, AZ. This Blog will be a journal in various aspects of technology growth and process discovery. Everything from the equipment, business relations, trade shows, service offerings, bioscience workshops will be discussed. Check Back often!

Biotech Training

We are very excited to start our new biotech training program in Tempe this September. We have had a lot of great responses from a number of people. We are hoping to become a key resource of information and training. Our electronics development customers may also benefit in the future as we implement the technology in house to produce "genetic circuits". Our training is an ideal introduction to biotechnology wet lab processes and procedures. We have had responses from patent attorneys,  business consultants, executives, engineers and educators. Our Tempe lab covers processes such as cell culture, RNA extraction, DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, microarray spotting and laser analysis.