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Client Information
Registering for Use
YOU NEED TO SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION 2 WEEKS BEFORE TRAINING BEGINS - APPLICATIONS AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR THE NEXT SESSION.
To submit a registration form you click on the following link, client registration form - if you enter a preferrred login name and password prior to clicking on the registration button please ensure that you record it, however this is not essential to register - ensure that you select the "Registration" button which is at the lower right hand side of the login screen or visit CMM Administration, located in the ground level of the AIBN Building (Building 75).
Assessment Interview
It is a requirement of CMM that all new clients have an interview to discuss project requirements and objectives to ensure that the best equipment/instrumentation is recommended for projects. Postgraduate students and their supervisors will need to attend this 'Assessment Interview'. Upon completion and receipt of a Client Registration form CMM will arrange an interview with the appropriate CMM Research staff.
Bring to the interview:
- Literature Review of published findings, methodologies in the area of work clients wish to undertake.
- Documented outline of the project's primary objectives
- Any work already performed or researched
By enforcing these initial consultations Centre staff are better able to advise on the correct equipment to be used for each project, give realistic time frames and ensure the student realises what is achievable.
Before using the Centre, Clients need to have:
- Completed a UQ induction at his/her School/Centre/Unit
- Completed a 'CMM Registration’ form
- Students need a 'Letter of Authority' from his/her supervisors (optional)
- Risk assessment of the project and techniques
- OH&S Induction within the appropriate discipline
Using the Centre
CMM is a service facility where clients pay as they use the available equipment.
- CMM management will assess machine, training and upgrade suitability for clients.
- Visiting expert microscope users, may be assessed, and excluded from certain non-safety related training requirements, at the centre’s discretion.
- Training will not be commenced without prior payment, and extra training and upgrades may attract extra fees ($300.00 for additional instruments, and $150.00 for upgrades).
- Clients who use in excess of 100 hours per year may incur an additional fee of $1000 per annum.
- Memberships will only allow access to instrumentation on which the client has received training.
- Short term memberships will be considered under exceptional circumstances and must be discussed with the Director.
- A quotation from a senior staff member (eg. Professor John Drennan) is required for all consulting work undertaken by CMM Staff members.
- No joint or group memberships are available.
Categories of Membership:
- University - This is limited to the University of Queensland Staff and Students. Honours Students (as from 1st June 2013) and Undergraduates may be charged. The charge will be at the discretion of the initial interviewer and relevant to the amount of work to be performed.
- Associate - This category is for persons who are not University of Queensland personnel but are from an associated university or government funded institution.
- External - This category is for persons from private industry or organisations carrying out work for private industry wishing to access CMM instrumentation.
Should you have any queries concerning which category you are please contact Kay Hodge on 3346 3944.
Fees and Charges - 2013
|
Memberships |
Internal |
External + GST |
|
6 month membership includes 1 training session. |
$2000.00* |
$4250.00 |
|
12 month membership includes 1 training session and 1 upgrade if required. Further upgrades may incur additional costs |
$4000.00* |
$8500.00 |
|
Light Microscopy & Neoscope (ONLY) |
$500.00 |
N/A |
*All memberships will expire 31st December in any given year. Memberships taken out during the year will be charged at a pro rata cost of the above for the remaining months of the year.
Clients who use in excess of 100 hours per membership may incur an additional fee
Payment
A fee must be paid in order to gain membership. If you are an member of the University this can be done via an ISC - Request for Internal Services Quote form. This form MUST be completed and signed by a Financial Delegate. External members will be invoiced. Please note that fees need to be paid in full before the facilities can be used.
Training
| Module | Description | Time |
| Light Microscopy |
No previous skills assumed. Operation of compound and stereo microscopes at a basic skills level. Topics include: light microscopy techniques (including: Brightfield field, Differential Interference Contrast (DIC), fluorescence), effects of light, resolution, digital image acquisition, system calibration, Koehler Illumination, sample loading, sample preparation. |
Half Day Session |
| Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for Biological and Physical Sciences |
No previous electron microscope (EM) experience is assumed. Operation of SEM up to an intermediate skills level. Topics include: sample loading, secondary and back scattered electron imaging, effect of accelerating voltage, depth of field, resolution, focusing, astigmatism and digital image acquisition. Sample preparation includes: sample mounting, sputter coating with metals, carbon coating, freeze drying, fixation, chemical dehydration, critical point drying. This li is a prerequisite for upgrade to other SEMs and related techniques e.g. microprobe, ultrahigh resolution FEG, LaB6 cryoSEM, variable pressure (VP) SEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), use of Alicona MEX 3D software. |
25 hrs over a two week period Subsequent upgrade lis for other SEMs and related techniques are 5 - 20 hours. |
| Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for Biological Sciences, Polymer Sciences and General Morphology |
No previous EM experience is assumed. Operation of TEM at a basic level. Topics covered include: generation of beam, electron lenses and correction of astigmatism, image formation, resolution, sample insertion, staining and contrast, the vacuum system and contamination, and digitising of images. Sample preparation includes: fixation, microwave fixation, and resin embedding. Sample preparation includes: fixation and resin embedding, both on bench and using the microwave oven, and ultramicrotomy (semi-thin and ultra-thin sectioning, staining and grid coating). |
24 hrs covered over a 2 week period. Ultramicrotomy alone: 6 hours including practice. |
| Transmission Electron Microscopy for Physical Sciences |
No previous EM experience is assumed. Part 1: Operation of TEM at basic level. Topics covered include: generation of the beam, condenser system, objective lens, intermediate and projector lenses, ray paths, specimen insertion, generation of high voltage, aperture insertion; microscope alignment, including alignment of the gun, condenser, beam tilt, objective and intermediate systems; correction of objective astigmatism; focussing the image, image capture, diffraction, specimen tilt, dark-bright field imaging, phase-contrast imaging, film exchange, digital image capture. EDS. PEELS. CBED Part 2: Operation of TEM at an advanced level. Topics include: upgrade from simpler TEM operation, sample exchange and different specimen holders – cryo and or double-tilt or tilt-rotate, alignment for Nanodiffraction, alignment for STEM, alignment for GIF, how to operate EDS |
Part 1: 8 hrs plus individual practice Part 2: 20 hrs + |
|
Microprobe Basic SEM training required. |
Technical operation of WDS Microprobe for quantitative analysis, mapping, and image acquisition. Advice on sample preparation: resin embedding, polishing and coating. Previous SEM experience/ training required, Plus completion of microanalysis theory. | 18 hrs plus individual practice |
|
Microanalysis Theory [Microanalysis for SEM and Microprobe (EDS/WDS) and TEM] |
Previous SEM/TEM experience/training required. Provides an introduction to analysing the elemental composition of samples. Topics include: X-ray production, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS), spectral artefacts and an introduction to matrix correction effects (ZAF). |
8 hrs of theory and tutorial (across 3 days) |
| Sample Preparation for Physical Sciences |
No previous experience is assumed. Ion milling, dimple grinding, electropolishing, chemical polishing, cleavage, holey carbon films. |
Half day + practise |
| Advanced sample preparation for TEM |
Previous EM experience is required. Theory of freezing hydrated samples for electron microscopy, high pressure freezing, plunge freezing of particle suspensions, handling of frozen hydrated samples, freeze substitution. |
Variable: at least 12 hrs plus individual practice. It should be recognised that these techniques are time-consuming. |
| High Resolution SEM |
Previous EM experience is required. Operation of SEM at a high level. Topic includes: advanced sample preparation, sample loading, electron lenses, microscope alignment, including alignment of the gun, condenser lenses, beam tilt, secondary and back scattered electron imaging, focussing the image, correction of objective astigmatism and digital image acquisition. 890 SEM available. Hot field emission SEM due to be installed 2008 but currently not available. |
10 hrs including practice |
| High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy |
Previous TEM required. Fine TEM alignment including correcting objective lens astigmatism using amorphous edge of TEM specimens; titling crystalline TEM specimens to the zone axis; choosing the correct condenser aperture, spot size, and objective aperture, and taking HRTEM images including justification of defocus of the microscope. TEM specimen preparation as the thickness of the TEM specimen for HRTEM should be less than 20 nm. |
12 hrs |
| Cryo Scanning Electron Microscope |
Previous SEM experience/ training required. Operation of dedicated cryoSEM. Topics covered routinely include: CryoSEM setup and shutdown; sample preparation and mounting techniques; sample freezing (N slush and liquid propane plunge freezing); sample fracture techniques; specimen sublimation; sputter coating; sample storage and retrieval; energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); and artefacts. |
3 hrs theory and 12 to 15hrs of practical |
| Variable Pressure SEM |
Previous SEM experience/ training required. Operation of variable pressure (VP) SEM. Topics include: theory and practical use of SEM chamber pressure to control specimens charge up; the imaging (backscattered and secondary) and X-ray analysis (EDS) of non-conductive samples in the VP SEM; freeze drying specimens using the VP SEM; artefacts and limitations of VP SEM. |
5 to 6hrs practical including some theory |
| Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) |
Previous SEM experience/ training required. SEM training on the JEOL 6460 is a pre-requisite. Basic operation of EBSD. Topics include: overview, sample preparation, EBSD system, collection of crystallographic orientation data and analysis using Flamenco software. |
12 hrs |
| Cryo-ultramicrotomy | Previous sectioning experience/ training helpful.
Sample preparation: generally biological (gelatin embedding) or polymer samples (resin embedding); knife making; operation of cryoultramicrotome ie correct orientation and trimming of blocks, ultrathin sectioning, picking up sections; troubleshooting. |
6-8 hrs plus practice per individual (extended if no previous experience on ultramicrotomes for resin sectioning) |
| Atomic Force Microscopy | No previous experience required.
Basic operation of AFM. Topics covered are: overview of AFM, imaging modes, AFM system, loading of probe in tipholder, alignment of laser beam on tip, maximising the sum signal, setting up of correct sample to tip distance before engagement, adjustment of scan parameters, imaging and image processing. |
15hrs |
| X-ray Diffraction (XRD) | No previous experience required but Queensland Health Use Licence is a pre-requisite (we can advise on obtaining license).
Operation of X-Ray Diffractometer in powder diffraction mode. Topics include: sample preparation, sample loading, creation of parameter file, creation of job file, processing of traces using Evaluation software, search match using PDF-2 Database, file conversion. |
12 hrs |
| Radiogenic Isotope Facility: Operation in a clean room | No previous experience assumed.
Introduction to clean room practice. Topics includes: Basic principles of operation in clean room environment. Working with clean room lab ware. Working with balances. Operations of centrifuges. Operation with Milli-Q water system. Operation with ultrasonic bath. Working with ultra pure chemicals. |
8 hrs |
| Radiogenic Isotope Facility: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) | Previous operation in a clean room required.
Sample preparation techniques for ICP MS. Topics includes: Sample cleaning. Sample digestion |
15 hrs |
| Radio Isotope Laboratory: Thermal Ionization Mass Spectroscopy (TIMS) | Pervious operation in a clean room required.
A) Sample preparation for TIMS: Rb-Sr Chemistry, including ion exchange column separation. |
A: 12 hrs |
| Tomography | Previous TEM experience is required.
Operating electron microscopes at an advanced level, imaging with high-end CCD-cameras, acquiring tilt-series of bilological/material samples using Serial EM, computing of tomograms using IMOD, basic segmentation of tomographic data. |
Variable depending on research project
It should be recognised that this techniques is extremely time-consuming. |
| Cryo TEM | Previous TEM experience is required.
Handling of frozen hydrated samples, use of cryo-sample holders, insertion of cryo-samples into the microscope, low dose electron microscopy. |
Variable: at least 12 hrs plus individual practice.
It should be recognised that these techniques are time-consuming. |
| Freeze-fracture (pending an operational FF-machine) | Previous experience in sample freezing required.
Theory of freeze fracture, handling of frozen hydrated samples, operating a freeze fracture machine, covered/include: vacuum systems, carbon coating, metal shadowing, replica handling, image interpretation. |
Variable: at least 10 hrs plus individual practice. |
| XPS - X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy |
An introduction to the basics of the XPS technique and the use of the CasaXPS data processing software This half day seminar and tutorial (9am-12pm) must be attended before samples can be booked in for analysis |
3 Hrs |
Upgrade training to more advanced techniques is available upon application.
If you wish to use the resources of the Centre contact our office. You will then begin with an interview with the Director or senior staff to map out what path you might need to follow to achieve your research aims using Centre facilities.
Training lis and one-on-one training sessions are personalized and very hands-on. These are taken by staff/students who will be taking out memberships to use the Centre. If training is NOT completed then a Centre staff member must accompany the client on equipment and this attracts a higher rate of charge. Clients who have completed required education are also able to access the Centre after hours thereby providing themselves with a wider time frame for use of the Centre.
Some UQ students, especially overseas students, find it useful to return home with the Certificate of Achievement awarded after successful completion of our educational sessions, because this indicates recognised proficiency in specific areas of training. This can sometimes open doors in career progression.
Bookings are essential. For the 6 blocks of teaching, the training enrolments close 10 working days prior to commencement date.
For anyone wanting to attend training please contact us via email cmm@uq.edu.au.
For further information on education matters contact the Centre Education Officer, Dr Bronwen Cribb (email: b.cribb@uq,edu.au or phone: 3365 7086).
Instrument Bookings
(NB: Prime Time = Mon-Fri ; 9am-5pm)
Clients make all bookings via ACLS, CMM's Online Instrument Booking Calendar system. This system can be accessed by going to the main menu and clicking on Bookings.
Also ensure you are familiar with the booking rules detailed below.
To give all users as equitable access as possible to CMM instrumentation a number of simple booking rules have been introduced.
Instruments
Each client is limited to two x 2hr bookings during prime time per instrument per week so that a number of people can access each instrument during prime time in any given week. More than two bookings by any one client during prime time may be permitted by the Duty Officer if an instrument is not heavily booked. Non-prime time is open to booking for all licensed members on a first come first served basis.
Work that requires extended time periods (eg. EBSD,x-ray mapping, EABL) should be performed during non-prime time, or extended prime-time sessions booked via the instrument manager.
Clients who do not show by 20 minutes past the start of their booking may have their booking cancelled by the Duty Officer and given to another client.
Users with urgent needs for instrument time should leave a contact number with the Duty Officer so that unused instrument time can be distributed in an effective manner.
Procedures
No instrument may be booked more than four weeks ahead of time with the exception of bookings for teaching and block training. A new booking for an instrument cannot be made by a client until the previous booking has expired or has been cancelled.
Priorities
Maintenance of equipment will have priority over all bookings. If a machine is undergoing maintenance clients will have to forego their booking until repairs can be done. Each EM will be booked for preventative maintenance and quality assurance testing on average of one week per machine per semester. Adequate notice of extended "maintenance periods" will be given by the Operations Manager (Mr John Nailon) or the relevant lab manager. Up to two days prime time per instrument per week will be booked for associate and external clients. Where this is not required the time may be used for CMM consulting work and/or training.
Research by Centre staff and members' usage will occupy the remainder of machine time.
Electron Microprobe - is booked in 12 hour sessions eith 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am.
This is based on current usage patterns and is negotiable. Feel free to trade time with other user groups but ensure you keep Ron Rasch informed. Bids for which days are allocated will be negotiated on the basis of ability to attend in the case of staff members and external clients. If time on a given day is unbooked on the day immediately before it, it is available to all users on a first come first served basis.
All efforts will be made to trade time however the CMM reserves the right to cancel bookings in the event of equipment failure, equipment service or urgent work if necessary.
CyberSTEM
- Contact details
CyberSTEM on the Access Grid Access Grid NANO Space
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| Video: |
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CyberSTEM is now accessible via the International Access Grid. This environment provides true multiparty videoconferencing and interactive collaboration. Streaming from the CMM is usually visible in the NANO Persistent Space in the Asia Pacific Access Grid Lobby. Audio connection to our laboratory is restricted via an Audio DES encryption key which will only be made available during organised sessions. To get connected you will need software. We recommend a well tested personal version for Windows that originated from OpenMash and is included below for download.
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