Robert Basnett, CEO
Bob Basnett is a successful technologist and entrepreneur. Bob worked for Applied Materials, Inc., the largest manufacturer of semiconductor manufacturing equipment in the world, from 1992 to 1997, where he filled a variety of roles ranging from field applications to manufacturing. He then took a position with Applied Science and Technology, Inc. in 1997 as manager of customer applications. Starting in 2000, Bob formed Semiconductor Support Services, Inc. (SSS Co.), which refurbishes legacy semiconductor manufacturing equipment. SSS Co. has grown steadily over the past fifteen years and now occupies 25,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations space in the Austin, Texas area.
William Holber, President & CTO
Bill Holber received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Columbia University, after which he was employed at IBM Research as a Research Staff Member, carrying out a range of R&D activities in the area of semiconductor manufacturing technologies. In 1993 he joined Applied Science and Technology, Inc. and over the next fourteen years at ASTeX and its successor company, MKS Instruments, filled a variety of roles ranging from technology management to IP to corporate M&A. He then spent three years as V.P. of Advanced Technology at Energetiq Technology, Inc., where he led a team of scientists in the development of advanced light sources. Dr. Holber is an inventor on over 40 issued US patents and is author on over 70 publications and presentations.
Sherri Basnett, CFO
Sherri Basnett started her career in Chicago at an international freight forwarder and customs brokerage insurance and surety agency. By the time of her departure, Sherri held the position of Regional Vice President. During Sherri’s eleven year tenure, she earned the following industry accreditations; CIC, AAI, CISR and ACSR. In her next position, Sherri managed administration for the top insurance agency in the state of Texas, Frost Insurance Agency (formerly Neiman Hanks Puryear). Sherri then joined Semiconductor Support Services, Inc. (SSS Co.) and co-founded Plasmability, LLC, where she serves as Vice President and CFO, developing and managing cross-functional departments in accounting, risk management, human resources and sales.
Resistive & Microwave Heating System
We developed a combination resistive and microwave heating system for pyrolysis of biomass material, for the Idaho National Laboratory. Working closely with the customer, we designed and manufactured a system that would enable rapid and controlled heating of biomass samples, in order to study the oil yields of the material, a key attribute in determining its suitability for renewable fuel applications. Here is one of the scientific publications carried out using the equipment we supplied
Penulator Product Family
Plasmability’s first major product was aimed at the installed base of semiconductor manufacturing systems, which number in the many thousands world-wide. These systems have an operational lifetime that can exceed 20 years and while the original equipment manufacturers continue to supply basic support for their systems, typically this does not include improving functionality of the original equipment. Plasmability identified a significant opportunity in upgrading the display and data storage and communication subsystems of 200 mm Applied Materials™ systems. Multiple products resulted and collectively comprise the PenulatorTM product family. Through our sister company Semiconductor Support Services we have sold many thousands of units of Penulator products, and continue to sell them to this day. The skill set which allowed us to successfully identify, develop and manufacture the Penulator products include deep market knowledge of how the Applied Materials systems are used and where they are used, the limitations of the original display and data management subsystems, and the capability of managing the product development, manufacturing and marketing and sales functions.