Robert Atherton

Areas Robert Atherton is Knowledgeable in:

Techniques Robert Atherton Uses:

Robert Atherton's Problem Solving Skills:

1. Software Development, Modern Requirements Eng,
2. Manufacturing Operations: Wafer fabrication, electronics
3. Applied Mathematics: discrete structures, simulation
4. Systems Thinking, Systems Theory
5. Chemical Engineering: Semiconductor Process Equipment:
6. Market Development; New Market Spaces, see below Exp #2
7. Solving Unusal Unstructured Problems with Complexity, Exp #1
8. Developing Conceptual Structures
9. Electrical Engineering: Systems and Semiconductors
10. Industrial Engineering: Analysis of Complex Systems

Robert Atherton's Problem Solving Experience:

1. Market development and thought leadership for industrial Java technology. I recruited technology partners and created an intellectual framework for Java applications in industrial automation. Published as the cover article for IEEE Spectrum, December, 1998. The paper has been influential in creating interest in Java applications for control.
2. Semiconductor technology development: Using the techniques of chemical engineering I created a novel chemical reactor for the plasma enhanced deposition of silicon nitride films on semiconductor wafers. The production level reactor was developed on time
3. Applied Mathematics: Many, many mathematical models. Applications include geothermal energy, atmoshperic processes, chemical engineering processes, operations research, and semiconductor operations.
4. Problem Solving in Market Deveopment: Developed several new problem solving methods and used them in market development and market creation above. Book, "Innovation, Knowledge Generation, and Problem Structuring" in preparation. Facilitator for marketing and product concepts.
5. Problem structuring methods:The problem solving methods developed above can be extended to more general problems. Research project on problem structuring methods leading to new methods and problem solving architecture. Such methods are necessary to solve the advanced problems of today. We need more powerful methods to deal with more problems in a timely manner.
6. Pioneered the analysis and design of wafer fabs using extensive cluster tools. Showed how to use simulation tools to achieve optimal cluster of processes in the tools and the required tool sets for the factories. Consulted on these applications.
7. Analysis and design of wafer fabrication operations. Simulated, analyzed, and problem-solved issues for many existing wafer fabs.
8. Semiconductor cluster tools: Created methods and software for design and performance of cluster tools. Analyzed several designs.
   One US Patent.
9. Created new multi-billion dollar market space for advanced automation systems and IT for convenience store, gas-station , eadvanced automation. Over a period of four years the initiative was a success resulting in a first major installation of over 500 convenience stores and gas stations. This market creation resulted from the challenge of moving Java technololgy into the industrial automation industry. I created an initiative with many business partners to automate petroleum retail and convenience stores through web technology and device integration. The breakthrough was the use of Java objects for device connectivity and integration. With the addition of many new energy sources at the service station this solution architecture will be come even more important.
10. Co-author of Wafer Fabrication: Factory Performance and Analysis, the standard book on wafer fabrication operations (semiconductors). This book covers several years of effort involving creating a mathematical theory of fab operations, validating the theory, writing computer software, selling the software, consulting on wafer fab operations. Also two U.S. software patents.