STARTING A RESEARCH PROJECT
Other Academic or Industry User
To establish a new research project at the Penn State Nanofabrication Facilities, please follow the steps below:
Step 1 – Make Initial Contact
Using our Online Remote Work Request Form, submit as much detail as possible about your proposed project. An engineering staff member will contact you regarding your request.
Step 2 – Determine if you will be an On-Site User or if you will use Remote Services
Remote service is defined as technical process steps performed by our engineering staff on your behalf.
Not sure? On-site Users are eligible for a reduction in usage fees through our Fee Capping System.
*For On-Site User, move to Step 3 - On-Site Services, below
Step 3 Remote Services – Complete the appropriate paperwork
Once we determine the feasibility of your proposed research and you wish to initiate a project, the completion of the following forms is required:
This form should be signed by the appropriate financial officer at your institution, which is typically not the primary researcher. The ARSO is an agreement, detailing legal issues associated with the use of the Nanofabrication Facility. It covers typical confidentiality issues. (Be sure to complete the Not to Exceed Cost and Start/End Dates).
To be completed by the Primary Researcher.
To be completed by the Primary Researcher. Any additional project participants should also complete a New User Form.
Step 3 On-Site Users – Complete the appropriate paperwork
Once we determine the feasibility of your proposed research and you wish to initiate a project, the completion of the following forms is required:
This form should be signed by the appropriate financial officer at your institution, which is typically not the primary researcher. The ARSO is an agreement, detailing legal issues associated with the use of the Nanofabrication Facility. It covers typical confidentiality issues. (Be sure to complete the Not to Exceed Cost and Start/End Dates).
- Appendix A (Addendum to the ARSO)
This form details additional legal and safety issues and should be completed ONLY if your organization’s research user(s) choose(s) to enter the facility to do research on-site. On-site users are required to attend facility safety training and individual equipment training.
To be completed by the Primary Researcher.
To be completed by the Primary Researcher. Any additional project participants should also complete a New User Form.
Step 4 On-Site Users - Attend Safety Training and Lab Orientation
Safety Training takes place every Tuesday from 9 am to 1 pm in 186 MRI Building.
Step 5 On-Site Users - Attend Individual Equipment Training
Trainees must attend a minimum of three successful training sessions for each piece of equipment. For most, all three sessions will take place within a 2-3 week period.
For On-Site Users traveling from out of the area, we will do our best, within reason, to fit as much training into a visit as possible as long as it does not compromise the effectiveness of the training.
Special note on making travel arrangements and scheduling trainings
Most equipment functions under a tool reservation system. Some tools have a wait period of several days to 1-2 weeks before an opening can be secured. When planning travel to the facility, please work with the staff and administration well in advance to properly plan out training and tool usage. once you receive safety training and lab orientation, you will have the ability to view and reserve tool time for yourself.
Please contact the NNIN at Penn State if you have any questions or concerns.
NOTE - Users should be aware of the following important items:
The Nanofab does not warrant or guarantee any results from a given project. The user and user institution is completely responsible for the outcome of their project as well as for payment for all work performed on their project. Any work done by the Nanofab staff in a support capacity or a remote access program is on a best effort basis.
The user and user institution will not disclose any proprietary or confidential information to the Nanofab staff, unless a prior non-disclosure or confidential agreement has been established between the user’s institution and the Nanofab.
