How to Become a User

(For NIST Staff or Guest Researchers)

(External Facility users go to a different page)

• There are three types of CNST NanoFab Users:
  
  
  • Remote Users are people who do not wish to operate the equipment themselves, but instead specify work to be performed by NanoFab Staff (at an additional hourly rate). They must still receive an orientation for the NanoFab which will be sent by email.
    
    
  • NanoFab Users are persons certified to operate NanoFab equipment located outside the cleanroom. They are required to take the NanoFab orientation and training specific to the instruments they will be using.
    
    
  • Cleanroom Users are persons who are certified to operate equipment located inside the cleanroom. In combination with the orientation, they receive additional training on cleanroom safety and cleanroom operational procedures. Before gaining access to the cleanroom they must pass a safety exam. They will also be required to take training specific to the instruments they will be using.
    
    

How to Become a User

1. Creating a New Project
   
   
   1. Informally discuss the project with the NanoFab Manager.
      
      
   2. Submit project description via email to the NanoFab Manager.  Download the NanoFab Project Application from the Manuals and Forms page.
      
      
   3. The application will be reviewed by the NanoFab Technical Review Committee for issues of safety and feasibility. If safety or feasibility concerns are found they will be discussed with the proposer, who may then submit a modified application. Accepted Projects are valid for one year.
      
      
   4. The application will also be reviewed by the NanoFab Mission Review Committee for issues of alignment with the NIST mission (for Principle Investigators [PIs] who are NIST staff) or the CNST Mission (for PIs who are Guest Researchers and External users). If a non-proprietary proposal is deemed to further the cause of the stated mission, it may be eligible for a partial fee waiver. The mission of the CNST is to provide measurement methods, standards and technology to support all phases of nanotechnology development from discovery to production. Proprietary research is not eligible for the fee waiver.
      
      
   5. Open Coral user account by sending an Interdivision Work Order to Karen Haugh, AO, Div 620, Mail Stop 6200.
      
      
   6. Remote Users can then obtain Nanofabrication services by discussing their needs with the NanoFab Manager.
      
      
   7. Use of NanoFab equipment outside the cleanroom requires an orientation given by the NanoFab Facility Safety Coordinator.
      
      
   8. Cleanroom Users can then schedule a site visit to receive their training. Cleanroom Users must take the Start-up Orientation Program given periodically by the NanoFab Facility Safety Coordinator.
      
      
      • The Start-up Orientation Program is a 3 hour training session which covers Cleanroom Safety and Cleanroom Operational Procedures.
      • A written safety examination must be completed with a passing grade for Cleanroom access.
      • The training and Exam must be renewed annually.
      • Contact the CNST NanoFab Facility User Office to take the exam.
        
        
   9. Upon taking and passing this program, access to the Cleanroom using your NIST badge will be granted. Lockers and garment hangers will be assigned to a user for the period of time that the user requires, or for one year. Locker space is limited and will be available for full-time users and high-use individuals, but will not be assigned to infrequent or one-time users unless space is available.
      
      
   10. The person is now a Cleanroom Facility User and is permitted to independently access the facility. Cleanroom Facility Users must then be trained and tested on individual tools to be able to operate the tools.
       
       
   11. An accepted project is valid for one year. If it has not been finished, a new project application must be submitted and reviewed.
       
       
       
2. Joining an Existing Project
   
   
   1. Prospective user gets approval from the Project Principle Investigator to be added as a co-researcher.
      
      
   2. New user’s Administrative Officer (AO) sends an email to CNST AO, Karen Haugh, authorizing the user to be added. The email to CNST AO should include the requisition number and project-task of the Work Order to be charged.
      
      
   3. Once CNST has received authorization from the user’s AO, the new user will be contacted by CNST’s User Facility Coordinator to schedule orientation and safety training.
      
      
   4. Cleanroom Users can then schedule a site visit to receive their training. Cleanroom Users must take the Start-up Orientation Program given periodically by the NanoFab Facility Safety Coordinator.
      
      
      • The Start-up Orientation Program is a 3 hour training session which covers Cleanroom Safety and Cleanroom Operational Procedures.
      • A written safety examination must be completed with a passing grade for Cleanroom access.
      • The training and Exam must be renewed annually.
      • Contact the CNST NanoFab Facility User Office to take the exam.
        
        
   5. Upon taking and passing this program, access to the Cleanroom using your NIST badge will be granted. Lockers and garment hangers will be assigned to a user for the period of time that the user requires, or for one year. Locker space is limited and will be available for full-time users and high-use individuals, but will not be assigned to infrequent or one-time users unless space is available.
      
      
   6. The person is now a Cleanroom Facility User and is permitted to independently access the facility. Cleanroom Facility Users must then be trained and tested on individual tools to be able to operate the tools.
      
      
   7. An accepted project is valid for one year. If it has not been finished, a new project application must be submitted and reviewed.
      
      
      

User Fees

Current NanoFab Usage Fee Schedule is now available in PDF format.

For more information contact the NanoFab Manager.

Acknowledgments

Participants agree to acknowledge the CNST in publications resulting from this work with the following statement: "Research performed in part at the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology."

Resources (For NIST Staff only)

• Off Hours Policy and Form
  
  
• Coral Software - The Coral Software System is used for managing authorization, user entry and equipment use for the NanoFab. See the Coral Tutorial for software installation instructions.
  
  

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Online: August 2006
Last Updated: February 2013

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