MOLECULAR BEAM EPITAXY (MBE/TEC)

Working with local experts to manage Boston laboratory development.

Construction services related to safety considerations that have been developed in conjunction with the final lab construction of the Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE/TEC) Lab at 200 Boston Avenue, Medford. During the initial build out of the MBE space and the installation of the Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) system, questions were asked regarding the safety of space through which the LN2 piping was run and that these areas were not spaces under the University’s control. With feedback from Tufts EH&S, Facilities, and Legal Departments, a Consultant (TRC, Industrial Hygiene Group) was retained to review potential life safety issues that the LN2 system might pose and to help develop safety protocols. Their findings indicate the potential of oxygen depletion should the LN2 piping be somehow compromised and significant amounts of LN2 released into the building spaces.

To alleviate the above risk the recommendation of the consultants and EHS was to install an oxygen depletion safety system, enhanced with detection and communication protocols, accompanied with camera monitoring systems. This level of life safety concern had not been fully identified in early design or cost studies. It must also be noted that the original design of the MBE spaces included a Toxic Gas detection system which for the most part has been install, calibrated and is awaiting commissioning that would occur with the oxygen depletion system.