EPSRC Access to Equipment
The 3D ESEM will be available for use by the UK academic sector under the EPSRC Access to Equipment Scheme from 1 February 2008.
To enquire about use of The NanoVision Centre facilities please complete the enquiry form.
Mechanism for external users
The Management Group will oversee the running of the instrument and the access to it by external users. The first point of contact will be this web-site. Researchers are invited to register a brief outline of proposed work using the enquiry form. The mechanism for external researchers using the 3D ESEM is based on a simple two level system of sample analysis evaluated and led by the Management Group. A flow chart of the mechanism for external users is shown below. Critical components in the mechanism are the decision making areas, shown as diamond boxes.
The first decision process occurs when initial interest, registered by a brief outline of proposed external work via the 3D ESEM website, is passed onto the steering committee. Ranking of proposals will be made by the committee on scientific merit to help filter any potentially large numbers of proposed projects. Feasibility tests will be initiated for high ranking work, with samples sent to the 3D ESEM for prompt analysis. Results will be evaluated by the committee to assess the suitability of the 3D ESEM and identify any potential problems. Further work will then be carried out upon completion of the feasibility test with external users invited to the 3D ESEM facility and the use of accommodation on campus, up to a total of the 30 days per year set aside for these visitors. The proximity of the accommodation to the facility and related on campus infrastructure (transport links, restaurants, banks) provide a hassle-free environment in which external users can focus on effective 3D ESEM usage. The assignment of time to further work will be allocated according the nature of the experimentation required, such as automated task pushed to overnight operation. Completion of further work will be assessed by the committee with the recommendation of a further collaboration through joint grant submission where necessary.