Abstract: Gas is circulated in an entire transportation space. A robot transport device includes a transportation space in which a transport robot is provided and circulation passages by which gas in the transportation space is circulated. Around the transportation space, surrounding spaces are provided. To these surrounding spaces, an object is transported by the transport robot. The transportation space communicates with each of the surrounding spaces via each of openings. The circulation passages are provided to sandwich the transportation space to avoid a working area of the transport robot, including the openings. The circulation passages are provided in pillar portions forming the transportation space.

Abstract: A germ-free glove box includes: a housing in which a germ-free space is formed, the housing including a connector to which a container housing an object is connected; and a glove provided at a front plate of the housing to allow an operating personnel to perform an operation in the germ-free space from the outside of the housing. In this germ-free glove box, the connector is provided on an upper plate of the housing. In the germ-free glove box outside spaces beside the box are effectively utilized, and a large working space is secured at around the bottom surface of a germ-free space.

Abstract: A laboratory system has a plurality of bottom opening sample transport pods for carrying one or more cassettes with cell culture vessels therein may have an aseptic interior environment and may cooperate with cell culture growing/processing stations having load ports allowing transfer of the cassettes with cell culture vessels into the stations while maintaining the aseptic integrity of the interior of the pods and the cassette and cell culture vessels. Internal environmental monitoring and control, purging, and tracking as well as automated robotic operation may be provided.

Abstract: Gas is circulated in an entire transportation space. A robot transport device includes a transportation space in which a transport robot is provided and circulation passages by which gas in the transportation space is circulated. Around the transportation space, surrounding spaces are provided. To these surrounding spaces, an object is transported by the transport robot. The transportation space communicates with each of the surrounding spaces via each of openings. The circulation passages are provided to sandwich the transportation space to avoid a working area of the transport robot, including the openings. The circulation passages are provided in pillar portions forming the transportation space.

Abstract: A cell separation device imparts vibration to a cell culture film having a front surface to which cells adhere, from a rear surface side of the film, and consequently separates the cells from the film. The device includes an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonically-vibrating vibrator, a frame disposed to surround the vibrator and a first detection part configured to detect a force applied to the frame in a specified direction. The vibrator selectively imparts ultrasonic vibration to specified cells adhering to the front surface of the film. Based on a detection result obtained by the first detection part, the frame is pushed until the force applied from the rear surface of the film to the frame reaches a specified magnitude. Thereafter, the vibrator ultrasonically vibrates in a state in which the frame makes contact with the rear surface of the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas supplying unit to be arranged to hermetically fit in an opening formed at a ceiling part of a processing container for conducting a process to a substrate. The gas supplying unit includes a plurality of nickel members. A large number of gas-supplying holes is formed at a lower surface of the gas supplying unit, a process gas is adapted to be supplied from the large number of gas-supplying holes into the processing container, and the plurality of nickel members is fixed to each other via an intermediate member for preventing sticking made of a material different from nickel.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a film forming apparatus including an exhaust pipe passage connected to an exhaust port of the film forming apparatus for forming a film on a object by using vaporized gas of an organic metal compound. The film forming apparatus includes a pressure transfer unit provided for the exhaust pipe passage and arranged to transfer, through the exhaust pipe passage, gas in the film forming apparatus as exhaust gas. A cooling mechanism is provided for the pressure transfer unit and arranged to cool the pressure transfer unit to a temperature lower than a temperature, at which the organic metal compound is decomposed, so as to prevent precipitation of the organic metal compound contained in the exhaust gas introduced into the pressure transfer unit.

Abstract: A process gas supply apparatus according to the invention comprises a supply pipe line connecting a supply source containing an organic aluminum metallic compound in a liquid state, to a process device for forming a film on an object using the organic aluminum metallic compound, a force-feed device for force-feeding, through the supply pipe line, the organic aluminum metallic compound contained in the supply source, a vaporizing device provided across the supply pipe line for vaporizing the force-fed organic aluminum metallic compound of the liquid state, a purge gas introduction device connected to the supply pipe line for introducing a pressurized purge gas into the supply pipe line, a solvent introduction device connected to the supply pipe line for introducing into the supply pipe line a solvent for dissolving the organic aluminum metallic compound, an exhaustion device connected to the supply pipe line for exhausting the supply pipe line by a negative pressure, and a control device having a plurality of