Requirements and Procedures for Instrument Use

To ensure safe and effective use of our advanced instrumentation, all users must complete the appropriate training and meet established supervision requirements. The following outlines the procedures and criteria for gaining access to instruments such as SEM, EDS, and AFM, with distinctions made between faculty, staff, and students based on their role, project type, and experience level.

Faculty and Staff

Training required for independent instrument usage:

  • Attended SEM/EDS manufacturers training + 7 hours supervised use
  • In-house SEM/EDS training + 15 hours supervised use
  • AFM training (evaluated on a case-by-case basis)

Students

SEM Access Levels

SEM Access Levels by Student Type and Supervision Requirements
Training Level Student Type Supervision Required
A Graduate research assistant or thesis work; extended project (e.g., senior thesis) Unsupervised
B Undergraduate or graduate student working on a short-term project with faculty Trained faculty/staff or Level A student
C Class project (semester-long) Trained faculty/staff or Level A student

Student Training Requirements for Level A (Unsupervised Use)

  • Attended SEM/EDS manufacturers training + 7 hours supervised usage
  • In-house SEM/EDS training + 15 hours supervised usage
  • AFM training (evaluated on a case-by-case basis)

Accessing Instrument Calendars

After receiving access confirmation for an instrument, you can schedule time via Outlook:

  • Log in to your Outlook Calendar using your St. Cloud State email and StarID password.
  • Under the calendar list on the left, look under Rooms for the instruments assigned to you:
    • cmia_afm_iself23b
    • cmia_eds_iself23c
    • cmia_xrd_iself23a
  • Select the instrument calendar to schedule time.
  • Click on an available time slot, add a title and time frame, then click Save.
  • To delete a scheduled time, click the event and select Delete. Confirm deletion in the pop-up.