Lab Access

To request access to the Materials Characterization Lab (MCL), please follow the directions below:

STEP 1

Getting Access to ICTAS/MCL:

Please use the link to the Microsoft Form below and provide the required information.

ATTENTION: In field #12, upload a file containing a screenshot of your EHS Profile Page with your full name (See example below):

Your name should be visible on your EHS profile screenshot.

Once submitted, the form will be routed to your research advisor for approval. Upon approval, it will be reviewed by the ICTAS_ MCL/BioMCL Core facility research manager and processed by ICTAS facilities within 3 business days.

Note: This form is for both the MCL and BioMCL. Please select MCL under the first item for access to this specific lab.

ICTAS Core User Facilities Access Request Form

You'll be invited to join the instrument reservation system (https://app.clustermarket.com/). Accept the invitation and you'll have access to the Clustermarket training request and instrument booking system.

STEP 2

Request Training:

Access to the ICTAS/MCL must be approved before requesting a training session.

Go to Clustermarket/Lab Dashboard. Click on the MCL User Training Request_Dr._ and reserve an available session. 

Check the “MCL User Training Request_Dr._/ “Details” tab to know who is training the particular instrument you are interested in. Click the “Advanced Options”, and under “Note”, write down what instrument (one at a time ONE AT A TIME) (e.g. XRD, AFM etc.) you are requesting.

* If you see another user requesting training on an instrument that you are also interested in; you can send an email requesting to join that training session without separately reserving a training slot.

STEP 3

Reserve Instruments:

Once trained, permission will be granted to reserve instrument/s at your convenience. However, Undergraduate students are NOT allowed to work alone unsupervised. Undergraduate students must be either with a graduate student from your PI’s research group or schedule a time with the MCL faculty/staffs to supervise your work during the usage of the instrument/s.

Although you will see all the available instruments in the MCL online reservation system, you’ll only get access and be able to reserve instrument/s that you were trained on.

Facility Rules

The rules below must be followed to maintain access to the facility:

  • Prior authorization from the lab manager is required to access and use the facility. 
  • Users must be current on EHS certifications.
  • MCL facility hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Special permission is required to use the facility outside these hours. 
  • Users must follow all Virginia Tech safety guidelines. 
  • No walk-ins. Prospective users must schedule a training time with lab staff, demonstrate competence on the relevant instruments prior to use, and complete additional training as required.
  • Only MCL staff can train users on any instrument in the lab. Training by a lab mate is not allowed unless given permission by the lab manager.
  • To use an instrument in the MCL, you must reserve time on the instrument and begin work within 30 minutes of your scheduled time. If you cannot make this time or need to postpone, you must let the staff know.
  • Do not accompany students who do not have access to the lab.
  • There is no instrument usage fee for VT users. External users will be charged a fee for using the facility; please contact the lab manager for details. 
  • Users are required to maintain a safe, clean work space and to leave work areas tidy and ready for the next user. 
  • Do not remove any items, instruments, or parts without consulting lab staff.
  • Notify the lab manager promptly of equipment problems or damage that occur during your session. 
  • Failure to follow these policies may result in lab access being revoked at any time.

Attribution

When publishing research that includes data or results obtained using MCL instrumentation, please acknowledge the facility using the following language:

“This work was made possible by the use of Virginia Tech’s Materials Characterization Facility, which is supported by the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, the Macromolecules Innovation Institute, and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.”