Need SEM Training?

Follow these steps:

1. Fill out the entry survey HERE. Staff meet twice a week to look over results and will respond, suggesting the best SEM for your experiment.
2. Request training on the suggested microscope through the NUANCE page in the NUcore system. Your name will then be added to the queue of trainees for that instrument.
3. The training queue is filled in order of request on NUcore. When you are next in the queue, staff will reach out to you with the next available training time.

Additional Information about EPIC-SEM Trainings

1. EDS and other advanced techniques will not be covered in basic SEM training and will require an additional training session. Advanced techniques include EDS, WDS, EBSD, TKD, eBL, ESEM (WetSEM), and others. Please fill out THIS FORM to view and sign up for available techniques. Trainings take place based on the volume of applicants.
2. EPIC staff aims to train within 2 weeks of NUcore request. We appreciate your patience while we work to get you into a training session, especially during busy times of the year.
3. Do not request training unless you plan to use the microscope right away. A lot of information is covered in these trainings and can be easily forgotten if you wait several months to use the instrument.
4. If you do not reserve the instrument within 2 weeks of training, you will have to take the training again.
5. If you cannot make it to the reserved training time, please inform a manager AT LEAST 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so may result in a fee.
6. If you are more than 15 min late to the training, you will need to reschedule.
7. Trainings take anywhere from 2–3 hours. Basic Training covers:
   • SEM Safety and Policies
   • Sample Loading
   • Operating Conditions
   • Microscope Alignments
   • Image Capture
   • Imaging Detectors/Modes
   • Sample Removal
   • Hands-on operation of all steps
8. Users are encouraged to bring samples to discuss operating conditions with the manager. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to use your sample during the training session.
9. Review instrument-specific manuals on NUcore and/or trainingg videos on YouTube
10. To book time on an SEM, you will be required to take the following safety training courses:
    • Laboratory Safety Certification
    • Personal Protective Equipment Certification
    • Filling and Maintenance of Liquid Nitrogen Tanks Certification
    • Compressed Gas Cylinders Certification
    • Hazardous Chemical Waste Management Certification

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EPIC-SEM Policies  

1. Absolutely no food or drinks in SEM rooms at any time.
2. Please do not wear lab coats in SEM rooms. Lab coats are intended for laboratory safety and must be kept in those designated spaces so that anything contaminating the coats does not enter these spaces.
3. You are only permitted to make reservations for yourself. It is expected that the person making the reservation is operating the microscope. If you would like to make a reservation for a group member, contact a manager to change the name on the reservation.
4. After training, you will be given daytime access during the hours of 8 am to 6 pm. After 20 hours of daytime experience on an SEM, you can contact a manager to request after-hours access. It is then up to the manager to determine if you have enough experience to operate the microscope without assistance.
5. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Cancellations within 24 hours will result in a fee.