New Users

To start accessing Shared Research Facilities:

  • Register as a user on the FOM. The FOM (Facility Online Manager) is the software that we use to schedule trainining, reserve equipment time and bill users.
    • To open a FOM account, click on the red button at the top of the yellow sidebar (to the left) and follow the instructions for new users.
    • When prompted to create a valid financial account, please use
      • Project Name: Dummy Account
      • Account Number: 00000
      • Category: Other
      • Description: (leave blank)
  • Indicate through the FOM which instruments you would like to be trained on. The appropriate facility manager will contact you for training.
    • Most facilities have specified days and times each week for training.
    • If you need faster access, contact the facility manager by email.
  • Start doing the appropriate paperwork so that you have the signatures prior to your training
    • User Agreement. Each facility has its own user agreement, so you need to do one for each facility you will use.
    • Credit card payment form. Arrangement for payment must be made prior to using any of the facilities.
    • If you will be doing x-ray diffraction, you must fill out a radiation badge application. We cannot start training you until the radiation badge has been received.
    • Each piece of equipment has pre-requisite safety training that must be completed prior to your starting training on the equipment.

    • Some Suggestions

  • Provide as much information as possible about what you want to use the instruments to do. This allows us to tailor our instruction to your needs.
  • Do not ask for training too far in advance. You learn how to use the instruments by working on them. If too much time has elapsed between your initial training and your requested use, the Facility Manager may require that you undergo re-training.
  • Don't learn too many instruments at one time. Focus on getting comfortable with a smaller set of instruments, then expand.

  • Additional resources and tips for users can be found here.