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The laboratory equipment is maintained by a knowledgeable staff. The prospective user should contact the laboratory director to determine if the instrument is capable and suitable for the proposed research. If the ESEM is capable of supporting this research, the prospective user will need to complete the User Application and Authorization Form, available as a downloadable pdf file or by contacting the laboratory director.
User Application
and Authorization From: Once it has been determined that the ESEM is capable of meeting the users needs, the support staff will request that the user complete the User Application and Authorization Form . This form must be completed the individual with overall responsibility for the project. The User Application and Authorization Form serves three purposes. First, by signing the form, the user acknowledges that they (and any associated users) have read all appropriate radiation safety information and have agreed to abide by the laboratory's policies for training and proper use of the facilities and equipment. Second, the form provides contact information for all users and a valid account number/P.O. number to which user fees may be recharged. Finally, in cases where students are using the ESEM for research project or as part of a class, the form provides a mechanism for notifying the responsible faculty member of this activity. Outside users of the ESEM Laboratory must also complete the User Application and Authorization Form. In addition, they are also required to furnish a purchase order to which user fees can be recharged. Purchase orders should be made out to "Kettering University ESEM Laboratory" and mailed or faxed to:
The purpose of the training is for the user to be able to safely operate the equipment independently for their research. Training will cover general use of the instrument and safety procedures. Questions regarding specific research related procedures (e.g. use of any of the available sub-stages) should be addressed to the trainer as early as possible so that special training can be provided. Training is conducted on an as- needed basis and is conducted one-on-one or in small groups. Potential usersshould contact the lab director to schedule a traing session. Users should plan for at least one hour of training. They will also need to schedule a second training session (at least two days after the first session) during which they will demonstrate proper use of the instrument to one of the approved trainers. Individuals who fail to show proper use will be given further training free of cost and asked to repeat the training session at a later date. Users are expected to be competent enough to operate the microscope without having to refer to the handbook or manuals before they will be allowed to access the microscope. There are four levels of qualified users, defined as followed :
Unrestricted user - includes
business and after hours use without laboratory staff present. Only
Kettering University faculty who have competently used the microscope
for a minimum of 10 hours may request unrestricted user status.
Restricted user - use restricted
to times when a laboratoy staff member is present at Kettering University
to deal with questions and problems (usually during normal business
hours).
Unqualified user - use restricted
to times when a laboratory staff member is present in the ESEM Laboratory.
This classification generally refers to those individuals presently
undergoing training.
Non-user - Individuals who have
not undergone training may make a request to conduct the lab dircetor
to discuss alternative methods of conducting their research. These
individuals will not be able to personally use the microscope.
In all cases, undergraduate and graduate students will be classified as 'Restricted users' after recieving training regardless of the hours of use time they have accumulated. Scheduling: The following are some basic scheduling guidelines:
Access: Access to the ESEM during normal business hours (M-F, 8am - 5pm) is through room 2-615 of Kettering University's Academic Building. If the ESEM has been scheduled, the laboratory doors should be unlocked and the instrument prepared for operation. If the instrument hasnot been scheduled, or a class is in session inthe lab, access to the laboratory may be restricted. After hours, users must have a key to access the lab and the access code for the system security software. Users will be given a key and the access code when they achieve 'Unrestricted user' status. To use the ESEM, users must enter their user ID and
the password into the system security software. This records when the
users are logged and when they log out. Each user recieves their ID
and password after successfully completing training. The expenses incurred in maintaining and operating the ESEM are offset by charging users a nominal hourly fee. These charges do not cover the salaries of the laboratory staff. Currently user fees are as followed:
Business Hours are defined as M - F, 8am - 5pm. 'After
hours' include evenings, nights and weekends. In situations where the
user needs assistance from the laboratory staff in operating the microscope,
an operator assisstance fee is charged. This fee will apply to those
users wishing to conduct very limitedresearch on the ESEM and
would rather not go through training. Users wishing to work after hours
and needing operator assisstance will be required to pay an additional
overtime charges for the operator. For proper use of the ESEM, please read carefully the Phillips Quanta ESEM User Handbook and the Phillips Quanta ESEM Standard Operating Procedures. Any form of general misuse of the equipment of facilities will result in removal of user privileges at the discretion of the ESEM Director. Under no circumstances are user to attempt to repair the instrument on their own. If users believe that there is a problem with the ESEM, they are to contact either the laboratory director, or the laboratory support staff as soon as possible. Failure to properly notify the laboratory staff of a technical problem wiht the ESEM may result in removal of user priviledges. By acceptinng a user ID and password, the user is confirming that they have read the standard operating procedures in particular the section on radiation safety. Any questions regarding radiation safety should be directed to Kettering University's Radiation Officer, Robert Cunningham |
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