|
1. Priority
for scheduling time on the Philips CM12, 420 and 301 is as follows:
a. Each user is limited
to 2 sign-ups (as indicated below) within any sign-up period.
b. Reservations for
the CM12 and 420T: Spot-scanning takes priority on the CM12 followed
by cryo-microscopy, low dose and high dose on both instruments. Time is
reserved on four hour basis from 8am - 12am, 12am - 4pm and 4pm - 8pm.
If no one is signed up to use the microscope after your session you can
extend your time. If the microscopes are not being heavily used you may
sign up for the entire day but this is the exception, not the rule.
c. Reservations for
the 301: Each user is limited to two hour time slots per week (prime
time from 8am - 5pm) during periods of heavy use only. If you are 15 minutes
late, your reserved time is open to another user unless you have made
previous arrangements. As always, the first user of the day is responsible
for turning the instrument on and the last user of the day is responsible
for turning it off. 2.
Computer sign-ups for the microscopes and supporting equipment:
a. Before you can
signup to use any of the electron microscopes you must have submit a charge
line to Dr.Chen Xu. Once your account has been established you will have
access to the Keck web site, which contains instructions for the research
initiatives as well as the calendars for instrument reservations.
b. If you know in
advance that you will not be using your reserved time, please remove
your name from the reservation calendar as soon as possible so that
others may use that time.
3. Training
in the use of the microscopes, supporting equipment and darkrooms should
be scheduled with a staff member of the EM Lab.
4. GATAN
651N anti-contaminators and cryo-holders:
a.
Pump the 651N anti-contaminators at 90° C overnight followed by pumping
to room temperature before closing the vacuum valve and filling the dewar
with liquid nitrogen for use. These dewars should be pumped once a week
(or approximately every 6 days of use). You will know they need to be pumped
when the outside of the feels cold and damp and the temperature is unstable
at the minimum value of -180 °C. (Instructions for pumping the 651N
anti-contaminators are located in the instruction manual for RI4).
b. For best results,
pump the 626 cryo-holders for 3.5 to 4 hours at 135 °C and allow a
cool down pumped time of 0.5 hours. Use the GATAN 655 Dry Pumping Station
to pump the cryo-holders. (Instructions for pumping the GATAN 626 cryo-holders
are taped to the top of the pumping station.)
c. Log all pertinent
information regarding cryo-holder and anti-contaminator maintenance in
the cryo log book. 5.
Plunger: a.
Reservations may be made for the Grigorieff plunger and the EM lab pneumatic
plunger on the Keck web calendar. Any unused propane and ethane should be
vented in the hood near the plunger.
b. After plunging
your specimens, clean and return all equipment to its proper storage
location.
c. If you use the
humidifier for the EM lab plunger, please use only distilled water in
the reservoir. Be sure to empty and dry the humidifier when finished.
6.
Negative developing darkrooms and the printing darkroom:
a. Please be considerate
and clean up after yourself.
b. Photographic paper
is available in the stock room on the second floor.
c. Handle EM film
with care to avoid scratches and static discharges. If you inadvertently
damage a piece if film, discard it rather than loading it into the camera
for the next user.
d. The 1st floor EM
lab and darkroom should be locked at all times unless you are working
in these areas. If you are the last one out for the day, make sure the
rooms are locked.
7. General
policies
a.
VERY IMPORTANT: If you experience problems while operating any
of the instruments, please record this information in the log book and
notify Dr.Chen Xu. Attempting to correct a malfunction and inadvertently
damaging one of the microscopes can void our service agreement with OpTechs,
Inc. (301) or NanoTech Consulting (420T and CM12). In the event of an
emergency, shut down procedures for the microscopes and ancillary instruments
are located in the instruction manuals for each.
b. Information regarding
routine and emergency service as well as other EM lab related activities
will be posted on the bulletin board of the Keck web site. You should
always expect last minute changes in the microscope service schedules.
c. In the event that
the first floor air handling unit malfunctions, please follow the directions
for shut down of the unit (they are posted on the back of the main door
to the 1st floor EM suite) and contact Linda Melanson or Eddie Arocco
for assistance. Very high temperature in the room (above 80° C) indicates
a problem.
d. All users must clean
up their work areas once finished and return all items used to their proper
storage location as a courtesy to the next user.
e. All chemical waste
must be disposed of in accordance with the rules of the Brandeis University
Safety Office. If you have questions regarding this, please contact an
EM lab staff member for assistance, Bob Elias (Safety Management) at extension.
64262 or Robin Bell (Radiation Safety) at extension 64261.
f. VERY IMPORTANT:
Confine the use of heavy metal stains to the staining lab bench in
room 436. Place any contaminated materials into the waste containers provided.
All solid and liquid waste must be properly disposed of using the containers
provided next to the sink. DO NOT leave any contaminated waste
materials out on the counter (this includes partially used vials of uranyl
acetate).
g. The CM12, 420, 301,
Edwards Vacuum Evaporator, EmiTech Glow Discharge Station, GATAN CCD camera
and GATAN Dry Pumping Station should be left in their respective stand-by
settings for the next user. This information is posted in the microscope
rooms and in the instruction manuals located near each instrument. If
you have questions about this please ask for assistance.
h. Conserve Energy.
Turn off the lights and equipment as the situation dictates.
|
