How to Become User

(For External "Facility Users")

(NIST Staff and Guest Researchers 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).
    
    
  • 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 Facility User

1. Informally discuss the project with the NanoFab Manager.
   
   
2. Submit a request to start a NanoFab project by contacting the NanoFab User Office. You will receive an e-mail from the NanoFab User Office with a NanoFab Project Proposal application attached. Fill out the NanoFab Project Proposal application and e-mail it back to the NanoFab User Office for processing.
   
   
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 if needed.
   
   
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 Reduced Rates. Refer to the NanoFab Rate Schedule for more information about the Reduced Rates. 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. The User will be e-mailed a set of required forms and must return all forms including a signed Facility User Agreement to set up financial and registration accounts for the NanoFab project. For more information about these forms and accounts please contact the NanoFab User Office.
   
   
6. Remote Users can then obtain Nanofabrication services by discussing their needs with the NanoFab Manager.
   
   
7. Once the NanoFab project is approved and activated the user can then schedule to attend NanoFab Safety Orientation which is held every Monday, from 9am to 12pm. Please contact the NanoFab User Office for more information pertaining to this and to schedule the NanoFab Safety Orientation training.
   
   
8. Prospective Facility Users who plan on traveling to the CNST to conduct research on site will be required to provide sufficient information to verify their identity as requested by the NIST Office of Security for them to receive a NIST External Facility User Badge. Some users may be required to provide additional information based on their citizenship, visa status, length of visit, or the nature of the facility use agreement with the CNST.
   
   
9. The NanoFab Safety Orientation consists of:
   
   
   • Online Safety Orientation - The first part of the Safety Orientation must be completed on-line prior to your NanoFab/Cleanroom Tour. Successful completion of the online training will generate a certificate. The certificate must be either saved as a PDF and e-mailed to NanoFab User Office or printed and brought with the user on the scheduled date of their orientation.
     
     
   • NanoFab/Cleanroom Tour held from 9am to 12pm on every Monday.
     
     
   • If accessing the CNST NanoFab Cleanroom, users are also expected to pass a comprehensive safety exam. The exam takes about 30 min and can be scheduled any time after you complete the NanoFab Safety Orientation. Passing grades are given to those who miss less than 5 questions. Here is the Safety Exam Answer Sheet Link.
     
     
   
   
10. Upon taking and passing the NanoFab Safety Orientation, your NIST badge will be programmed to access the NanoFab/Cleanroom. Storage bins and garment hangers will be assigned to users for the period of time that the user requires, or for one year. Storage bin 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.
    
    
11. The person is now a NanoFab/Cleanroom Facility User and is permitted to independently access the facility. All new NanoFab/Cleanroom Facility Users are required to be certified on each individual NanoFab/Cleanroom tool prior to operation by the tool owner of that tool.
    
    
12. An accepted project is valid for one year. If it has not been finished, a Follow-On project application must be submitted, reviewed, and approved to continue the project.
    
    
    

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."

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Online: May 2007
Last Updated: April 2013

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