Equipment Use

There are many pieces of equipment available to the student for use at their discretion. There are, however, a few general rules that should be followed when using this equipment to avoid destroying it in the process:

  1. Learn how to use the equipment by asking for instructions before using it. Requests may be made through FOM. Please read the SOP in the CHP located in the safety files for that lab. The department will insist that you show that you have adequate instruction before using certain pieces of delicate equipment. Secondary training is not permitted.
  2. Please make it a practice to keep the equipment clean and the parts in their proper stored location after using. TRASHING THE WORK AREA WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. In the event that students are discovered consistently leaving a mess in the labs, the department will be forced to limit access to the equipment. This would create a hardship for everyone.
  3. Equipment, which is for general use, is NOT to be modified for your private use in a semi-permanent manner. If your experiment will create hazardous conditions in the surrounding area, which affects the simultaneous use of other equipment, you must get permission from those who are affected, including the Facilities Coordinator.
  4. If you have borrowed equipment, return it to the source as soon as you are through with it so that it is available for others.
  5. If you need cooling water or fluids transferred by tubing on your equipment, please use special care in setting up the system so the tubing is well anchored at each end, and is supported properly. All of the floors have cracks and leak badly. Spills and leaks are inevitable, and must be guarded against. The faculty or staff will shut you down on the spot if you insist on operating carelessly.
    There are many pieces of equipment available to the student for use at their discretion. There are, however, a few general rules that should be followed when using this equipment to avoid destroying it in the process. These are as follows:
    • Do not leave your equipment unattended for more than 6-8 hours.
    • Always come in early in the morning to make a leak check.
    • Always leave an “Experiment Running” sign on the door.
      If a spill does occur, clean it up immediately! A wringer bucket and mop are kept in room 2231 Dow. Please return it when you are finished. Should a leak occur in the plumbing in your room (backflow preventers or faucets are particularly prone to this), attempt to shut the system down immediately if you can access the service corridor. If it is after hours, contact the security personnel so that they can do it for you. All valves are numbered, and the numbers are listed on your room WATER CONTROL sheet by an exit for quick reference. Report this type of leak to your advisor and to one of the technical staff so that the department is aware of the leak. The people downstairs are very sensitive to leaks, and we should do everything we can to accommodate them by preventing and quickly cleaning up.
  6. Check the posted schedules and sign up for equipment time when you need it. However, please note that class usage takes priority over research. Check with the staff in charge before you begin your work, otherwise you may not be able to finish your project before a class demands your removal.

USE OF THE VAN VLACK RESEARCH FACILITIES

Van Vlack Undergraduate Labs may be used by graduate students during business hours, provided there is no conflict with undergraduate scheduling. During the regular school semester, undergraduates have first call on all equipment in their teaching laboratories. During laboratory classes, the equipment is for the exclusive use of the class.

  1. Sample Prep Laboratory 2231 Dow
  2. Characterization Laboratory – 2224 Dow
  3. X-ray Laboratory – 2219 Dow
  4. PPMS Laboratory – 2215 Dow

THE MICHIGAN MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION CENTER – (MC)2

The Michigan Center for Materials Characterization, also known as (MC)2, is the University of Michigan’s facility dedicated to the micron and nanoscale imaging and analysis of materials. The center, housed in Building 22 of the North Campus Research Complex, provides state-of-the-art instruments, professional training, and in-depth education for students and other internal researchers, fellow academic institutions, and local industry. (MC)2 supports a diverse multi-disciplinary user base of more than 450 users from various colleges and departments, 100+ internal research groups, and over 20 non-academic companies. 

The Center maintains a web site that contains all the information about the laboratory

Of particular interest for new users are:

The Center is located in NCRC, Building 22. Your U-M card will need to be activated at NCRC in order to enter using the user entrance.

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